Chattanooga rule forbids dance contests and…Ironman events?

Jackson Laundry celebrates as he crosses the finish line during Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga Sunday, May 20, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Laundry placed second in the race with a time of 3:47:16. Jackson Laundry celebrates as he crosses the finish line during Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga Sunday, May 20, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Laundry placed second in the race with a time of 3:47:16.

By Judy Walton September 27, 2018 3 min read

Whew.

If a tango or the twist was included, Ironman would be out of it.

Practically on the eve of Chattanooga’s 11th Ironman event Sunday, city leaders discovered an ominous inclusion in the city’s ordinances.

Chapter 6, Section 6, regulating “Amusements,” singles out “Human endurance contests” and states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or promote marathon walks or dances or other similar physical endurance contests in the city, and it shall be unlawful for any person to participate in such contests.”

So much for the 3,000 competitors seeking athletic glory this weekend in what’s been called “one of the world’s foremost endurance events,” right?