Ironman athletes hit the water in droves as the sun rose this morning, kicking off the city's first Ironman triathlon competition.
The race got started right on time this morning, with the first non-professional athletes in the water by 7:25 a.m. Each competitor wore either a neon green or hot pink swim cap. After the starting cannon, the Tennessee River quickly filled with bobbing heads, flailing arms and the bright swim caps.
The now athletes face a 2.4 mile swim, 116-mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run. The 2,500 competitors have until just after midnight to finish.
Competitor Alisa Blitz-Seibert, 50, said she was looking forward to using the river's current to her advantage.
"I'm not nervous," she said before the start. "I'm ready to have a big long day, and I'm hoping to finish."
Before the cannon, the Ironman-hopefuls sat in quiet clusters in a long line - some listened to headphones, some tried to sleep and others chatted with friends and family. A steady stream of school busses shuttled both athletes and spectators to the start, which was on the Riverwalk not far from the Boathouse Rotisserie Bar & Grill.
Athletes were in line well before 6 a.m., but most spectators arrived around 7 a.m. Many carried signs, cowbells and video cameras.
The swimmers will emerge at Ross's Landing in downtown Chattanooga to start the bike.
Stay with the Times Free Press for updates on this story throughout the day.