Ironman Triathlon competitors exit the chilly Bay at the start of the 2023 event. Photo by Neil Farrell
Morro Bay will not host an Ironman Triathlon in 2025, after the company opted out of a 3-year contract to put on the swim-bike-run event that drew thousands of competitors.
“Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to Section 13(b)(i)(B) of the Agreement and the discussions held between WTC and the City of Morro Bay and Visit Morro Bay on or around July 1, 2024, WTC is exercising its right to terminate the Agreement,” reads a letter to the City and Visit Morro Bay from World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) and dated July 1.
The Ironman Group — a division of WTC, Visit Morro Bay — the town’s tourism bureau, and the City all signed the 3-year contract for the company to bring its world-class triathlon here. Events were held in 2023 and 24, with a somewhat mixed reception from the community.
Some Embarcadero business owners after the 2023 race complained about the event’s takeover of the City parking lot at 714 Embarcadero and a vendor fair that was set up. Others decried the loss of literally all the parking on the Embarcadero. Residents complained about the many street closures, mainly for the bike and run segments.
The City and the company changed the 2024 date to Sunday in hopes of appeasing critics.
It was a similar reaction when the Amgen Tour of California pro cycling race came to Morro Bay three straight years. The Amgen race folded up shop during the coronavirus pandemic and has not resumed. Amgen ran from 2006-2019.
The triathlons required the City and Visit Morro Bay to put up thousands of dollars and oversee the course logistics, such as road closures and traffic control.
It was a hassle for motorists, but the police department seemed to handle it okay.
But the 2024 Ironman race was marked by trouble with the swim part. A significant number of water rescues had to be made, as the current in the bay proved too swift for many athletes.
The 3-leg race, which covered a total of 70.3 miles, started with a long swim in the chilly bay from Coleman Beach to Target Rock.
The 2023 race went off fine but with each athlete that emerged from the water, you could see the toll it took on them physically.
This past May, the tide was ripping that morning, and some 300 swimmers had to be assisted by the fire and harbor departments.
According to a news report, Morro Bay Fire Marshall, Matt Vierra, said they had to pull 187 swimmers out of the water and helped another 121 to get out.
WTC told The Tribune that it had looked into changing the swim course within the Bay, for example starting further back at Tidelands Park, but could not come up with a suitable alternative. So, they decided to cancel the event, despite drawing over 2,000 competitors and thousands of fans to town.
In a report to the City Council, City Manager Yvonne Kimball she said they were disappointed by the cancelation. “Not only were we surprised by the WTC’s decision to cancel,” Kimball said, “we were disappointed in how WTC communicated their cancelation decision with us. Undoubtedly, the City fulfilled our obligations as a hosting agency. In reflection, we also recognize that hosting the ironman events has been a major task for the community.”
Kimball said they’d tried to work it out with WTC. “Since the completion of the 2024 event,” she said, “City has been actively working with the Ironman team to prepare for the 2025 event and collaborate on ways to continued improvement. Many athletes, visitors, and community members provided positive feedback and indicated that they were looking forward to the return of the 2025 Ironman event.”
The City put a lot into hosting the races. “In the last two years,” Kimball said, “our city has invested considerable resources to ensure the success of this event for both athletes and spectators. The City’s public safety departments deployed extensive local resources to ensure safety of the events. Our City leadership team facilitated numerous crucial conversations for WTC and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth event operation.”
She commended the work of the numerous volunteers from the community. “Additionally,” Kimball said, “City Council Members and City employees volunteered their time to support the events. Our community has learned to embrace this international brand of events. We are proud of the hard work, and warm hospitality demonstrated by our City officials and our community in supporting Ironman events and the athletes.”
The Ironman Triathlon was the only world-class athletic event, outside pro surf contests, where professional athletes from throughout the world converge in SLO County to compete. Ironman Morro Bay was a world championships qualifier event. But it’s not the end of triathlons in Morro Bay.
Local triathletes can still enter the Annual Morro Bay Triathlon, which the City Recreation Department puts on. The next race is set for Nov. 3 and has both an Olympic distance and Sprint distance to choose from. Among the major differences with Ironman, is that Morro Bay’s run segment is mostly on the beach and there’s an optional kayak paddle instead of swimming. See: www.morrobaytri.com for race details.
