The sold-out race was set to include a 2.4-mile swimming course across Lake Woodlands, a 112-mile bike course running from Town Center into Houston and back along the Hardy Toll Road, and a 26.2-mile running course around the lake and The Woodlands Waterway. In a March 16 update, Ironman said the triathlon had to be delayed due to the status of Harris County's COVID-19 threat level affecting the biking portion of the race.
"We have learned from both Harris County and Harris County Toll Road Authority that due to the Harris County COVID-19 Threat Level System currently at Level 1: Stay Home, and the resulting impact this has on the bike course, we regret to inform you that the Ironman Texas triathlon cannot take place on April 24, 2021," Ironman said in an event update. "This is not the news any of us wanted to receive especially after the challenges faced over the past year, and we are working diligently with the local authorities and key stakeholders on all potential options. We know how anxious our athletes are to be able to return to racing and we hope to have further event updates in early April."
The statement also said Ironman is working with local authorities on a plan to hold the event in The Woodlands later this year, possibly in October. The Woodlands event was set to offer qualifying spots for Ironman's 2021 world championship race in Hawaii, which is currently scheduled to be run Oct. 9.
The announcement of the event's delay came just over one year after the April 2020 Ironman triathlon in The Woodlands was also postponed due to local COVID-19 restrictions. Three shorter Ironman events, including 70.3-mile triathlons in Galveston, Lubbock and Waco, are still scheduled to be run throughout Texas this year.
More information on Ironman Texas is available by contacting the event organizers via email at [email protected].
