Belgium Man Wins IRONMAN Race

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Thousands are in the Scenic City this weekend for Sunday’s IRONMAN competition.

Marino Vanhoenacker of Belgium placed first in the race, finishing in eight hours and 12 minutes.

Participants swam 2.4 miles and rode bikes for 116 miles, before taking on the 26.2 mile run in downtown.

Many spectators here have been to IRONMAN events across the country, but they say Chattanooga stands out.

“It is beautiful, and it’s incredibly humid, but the crowd support’s amazing, and the athletes are fantastic,” said Kristina Jensen, who’s visiting from Denver, Colorado. “It’s such a cool town. I’ve never been to Tennessee, so it’s an awesome way to see this state for the first time.”

Chattanooga has been hosting the IRONMAN event since 2014, and will continue to do so through 2018.