It's that time of year again where marathoners from all over come to town for the Ironman 70.3 Augusta competition. The 17th edition of the event will once again challenge participants with a 1.2-mile down-current swim through the Savannah River, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run through the scenic Augusta Riverwalk and North Augusta Greenway.
For those that won't be racing, but still want to get in on the Ironman 70.3 Augusta experience, there are plenty of ways to watch the event live while also checking out the variety of shops, cafes and more that downtown Augusta has to offer.
Here's what you need to know ahead of the 2026 Ironman 70.3 Augusta:
When is Ironman 70.3 Augusta?
The 2026 Ironman 70.3 Augusta will be taking place on Sunday, Sept. 27. The earliest start
time that day will be at 7:15 a.m. for the professional women's grouping.
Where does Ironman 70.3 Augusta take place?
Due to the nature of the race, Ironman 70.3 Augusta will take place at multiple different locations. The start of the event will be at the Sharon Jones Amphitheater. From there, swimmers will travel 1.2 miles down the Savannah River, where they will finish at the 5th Street Bridge.
The biking will begin from the brand new transition lot located in downtown Augusta. The route is a loop that will be 56 miles through the backcountry of Augusta before participants return back to the lot. From there, they will start their 13.1-mile run from the same way they came in from their swim. The run will take runners beyond the 13th street bridge to the South Carolina side of the Savannah River to the North Augusta Greenway. They'll ultimately circle back for the finish of the race which will be back in downtown.
Where to watch the Ironman 70.3 Augusta?
Spectators have multiple different places they can set up to watch the race unfold live. For the swimming portion, the 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge allows for an elevated view of the Savannah River, perfect for watching the participants finished their first third of the race.
If you're not looking to go into the backcountry, Reynolds Street might be your best bet to catch marathoners during the bike portion. The route will have them in the downtown area, giving you ample opportunity to watch them when they are nearby. It's also a good place to set up shop as the competition will also end on Reynolds Street. For the running portion, marathoners will pass by the Augusta Riverwalk and the North Augusta Greenway. Both places would be excellent spots to sit back and relax until your favorite runner passes you by.
Race Day Schedule:
4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. - Transition Area Open - Depot Lot at Reynolds St and 5th St
5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. - Shuttle Bus Service - Transition to SRP Park (swim start)
6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Information Tent/ Lost and Found - 8th St and Reynolds St
7:15 a.m. - Pro Women Start - Sharon Jones Amphitheater
7:25 a.m. - Age Group Rolling Swim Start - Sharon Jones Amphitheater
9:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Athlete Post-Race Food - 8th St and Reynolds St
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Official IRONMAN Store and Medal Engraving - Augusta Convention Center
2 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Morning Clothes Bag Pick-Up - 8th St and Reynolds St
2 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Bike and Gear Check-Out - Depot Lot at Reynolds St and 5th St
5:30 p.m. - Awards Ceremony and 2027 Precision Fuel and Hydration IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships Slot Allocation/Rolldown Ceremony - Augusta Convention Cnter
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: 2026 Ironman 70.3 Augusta: What to know before you go
