Ironman 2014Watch
Ironman Chattanooga competitors and spectators can expect mild temperatures, mostly cloudy skies and calm conditions on race day, with just a slight chance of rain early in the day, but increasing to 60 to 70 percent Sunday night. Here's what else you need to know as the clock ticks toward race time.
Water
FLOW RATE: TVA plans to consistently run two turbines at the Chickamauga Dam between 6 a.m. and noon in order to provide a constant flow rate in the river. It anticipates the river will flow at 13,000 cubic feet per second. This flow rate "is a decent push or flow assistance for swimmers," said Karah Nazor, Ph.D. and local open water swimmer. For a swimmer who swims 2 miles per hour in flat water, 13,000 cfs will allow them to cut their swim time by 12 minutes, Nazor said.
CONDITION: The river is clean and safe for the swim, according to daily tests conducted by Tennessee American Water, said city Public Works Administrator Lee Norris.
Where to watch
• Ross's Landing downtown: The focal point for Ironman Chattanooga all day Sunday. The swim finish, transition area and finish line are all located here.
• Tennessee Riverwalk: The race
will begin upriver from downtown at the Kenco building off Amnicola Highway. Good views of the 2.4-mile swim will be available from the riverwalk.
• Downtown Chickamauga: The 116-mile bike route goes into North Georgia where athletes will do two laps of a large loop in the Chattanooga Valley area of Walker County.
• Frazier Avenue: A good spot to watch runners as they get close to finishing the first-ever Ironman Chattanooga.
Media coverage
• Big-screen TVs at the riverfront will show the transition area and finish line.
• Live coverage on race day can be found at www.ironman.com and timesfreepress.com/ironman. For road closures, parking restrictions and course maps, go to timesfreepress.com.