Salem, Oregon, to Host Ironman 70.3

Salem, Oregon, will be the newest Ironman host as the race organizer has announced the launch of Ironman 70.3 Oregon for July 21, 2021. The race, the first to be held in Oregon, will be held in conjunction with Travel Salem and Sport Oregon under a deal that goes for three years.

“We feel that Salem offers the perfect destination to bring the first Ironman 70.3 event to the beautiful state of Oregon,” said Dave Christen, regional director for The Ironman Group. “We’ve had hopes of bringing an Ironman branded event to this region for a while now. Offering the race in July during the prime season for racing in the Pacific Northwest, creates an incredible opportunity for people to #exploregon. We are thrilled to call Salem home for this new event for years to come.”

“Travel Salem and the Salem Area Sports Commission are thrilled to welcome Ironman to our city,” said Travel Salem Chief Executive Officer Angie Onyewuchi. “Hosting one of the world’s most prestigious and respected sporting events helps solidify Salem as the Sports Capital of Oregon. We look forward to breathing life back into the tourism economy post COVID with the infusion of more than $11 million in estimated economic impact while showcasing our region’s natural beauty and premier recreational assets to the visiting athletes and their families.”

Salem, the state’s capital, is in the center of the Willamette Valley and on the Willamette River, which is expected to be the site for the swimming portion of the event. Oregon’s second-largest city is an hour’s drive from Portland.

“Bringing this internationally recognized event to Oregon is a strategic investment that highlights Oregon’s rich athletic history and community while also driving safe travel and inspiring future trips to Oregon as part of our road to economic recovery,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon.