Overview
- The city’s first IRONMAN drew nearly 2,000 athletes on Saturday for a 140.6-mile course that spanned Jacksonville, Nocatee, and Ponte Vedra.
- Spectators lined the route and hundreds of volunteers shuttled crowds, directed traffic, and aided finishers in heat that many athletes called a key challenge.
- Race results listed Pedro Gomes with the fastest men’s time at 8:30:41 and Jennifer Sylva with the fastest women’s time at 9:42:14.
- Following Sunday’s awards ceremony at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, top finishers claimed berths for the Ironman World Championships in Kona.
- Businesses in Riverside’s Five Points reported lost customers and scarce parking from road closures, and Mayor Donna Deegan pledged clearer outreach as a St. Johns County commissioner pressed traffic and safety concerns.