Chattanooga voted Best Overall Host City Experience for Ironman

Staff photo by Erin O. Smith /  Cody Beals holds the finish line banner above his head after he finishes Ironman Chattanooga Sunday, September 30, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Beals has competed in two Ironman events and has placed first in both.
Staff photo by Erin O. Smith / Cody Beals holds the finish line banner above his head after he finishes Ironman Chattanooga Sunday, September 30, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Beals has competed in two Ironman events and has placed first in both.

Chattanooga was once again a top host city for Ironman athletes.

The city was voted as the Best Overall Host City Experiences for the grueling triathlon, despite a year in which heavy rain caused organizers to cancel a leg of the race.

The lack of a swim portion in the September Ironman had little effect on customer's satisfaction, however, as the city ranked in the top 10 in a handful of categories in the athlete survey.

The rankings are based solely on athlete surveys completed after each 2018 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 race globally.

The city was voted in the top 10 of overall bike experience and best venue for the full-distance race, in addition to the top spot for best overall host city experience.

For Ironman 70.3, the half-distance race, Chattanooga was ranked in the top 10 for best venue experience, best host city experience and the "will recommend to a friend" category.

There were 41 Ironman and 105 Ironman 70.3 races races in 2018.

More than 55,000 athletes responded to the survey. Surveys were on a 5-point satisfaction scale.

The 2019 Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga takes place May 19 with Ironman Chattanooga following Sept. 29.

Contact staff writer Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP.

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