Lake Tahoe IRONMAN Athletes Vie for $75,000 in Prizes

Nearly 2,500 athletes are headed to the North Lake Tahoe area this week for IRONMAN, a full triathlon which will have them running 26.2 miles, biking 112 miles and swimming for 2.4 miles. The sold out event will have the events spread from Lake Tahoe to Squaw Valley and Truckee.

There are 13 age divisions from age 18 to 80 as well as professional and physically challenged divisions. Fifty winners from the event will qualify for the Championship IRONMAN in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in October, 2014.

The positive financial impact is already being felt by businesses around the site of the first full IRONMAN in California since 2001, and the first in Lake Tahoe. An estimated $8 to $15 million will be spent in the area by athletes, spectators and organizers. Athletes paid a minimum of $675 each to participate. They start arriving on Thursday and depart after the awards ceremony at Squaw Valley on Monday.

If you are planning on attending, print out this Spectator Guide which shows best places to watch, which roads will be closed and other valuable details.