Jacksonville will host its second IRONMAN Triathlon on Sunday, May 16, 2027, with registration set to open soon. The announcement comes on the heels of a successful — if chaotic — inaugural event that drew nearly 2,000 athletes from 39 countries this past May.
While competitors and organizers largely celebrated the River City as a strong host, the race's footprint created real headaches for residents and businesses. The 112-mile bike leg wound through St. Johns County, passing through Nocatee and Ponte Vedra Beach, and the transition zone in Jacksonville's Five Points neighborhood along Park Street meant full street closures that caught some business owners off guard. Tattoo shop owner Bryan Dewberry said his shop had just five customers over the entire weekend. Employees and staff at nearby businesses said they faced long walks from distant parking and lost appointments throughout the day.
St. Johns County Commissioner Krista Joseph raised a pointed concern on Facebook, noting that the Board of County Commissioners never voted on the event and that even the County Administrator was unaware it was happening. Joseph said she plans to push for formal BCC approval before any future event of similar scale moves forward.
Mayor Donna Deegan acknowledged the frustrations while defending the event's value to the city, pointing to its economic impact and global exposure. Her office confirmed Jacksonville has a three-year commitment to IRONMAN and pledged a full after-action review with IRONMAN organizers, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, and city staff to meaningfully address traffic and safety concerns — including several reported incidents involving cyclists and vehicles.
This story was originally reported by News4JAX (WJXT).
