Ironman and Memorial Hermann entered into a multiyear extension to an agreement as title partners for the event, according to the release.
Nick Wolda, president of Visit The Woodlands, the township's visitor and convention bureau, said in an email the current agreement to hold the event in The Woodlands was for five years. The exact number of years for the new agreement has not been established, he said.
"We will be addressing a new agreement after the new year," he said.
Registration for the 2024 Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas triathlon is currently underway, according to Ironman. A spokesperson for Ironman said as of Dec. 11 there were "very few" event registration spots remaining.
What they're saying
“This is an important event for The Woodlands community,” said Justin Kendrick, senior vice president and CEO for Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital. “Not only from a financial standpoint, but it also brings people from all ethnic backgrounds together to work together and support the participants and give back to their community.”
“We applaud the commitment of Memorial Hermann on extending Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas,” said Brad Bailey, chair of the board for Visit The Woodlands. “This event brings approximately 2,500 athletes every year from 60-plus countries and nearly all, if not all, states in the U.S., which is great for our hotels, restaurants and retail investments in The Woodlands. This is very important as nearly 60% of the township’s budget comes from sales and hotel taxes. Additionally, over 3,000 of our residents volunteer for this world-class event and thousands more enjoy and cheer participants along The Woodlands Waterway, Lake Woodlands, Waterway Square and more. It creates a very positive atmosphere in The Woodlands.”
“The Woodlands has been a tremendous host and fantastic partner since we first brought an Ironman triathlon to the area over 10 years ago,” said Elizabeth O'Brien, managing director of North America Ironman. “Athletes have continued to flock to this event since its inception, showcasing why the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas event has become one of the most popular full-distance Ironman events on the global circuit. The community in The Woodlands is what makes the event so special, and the impact on the local economy is so positive. We are thrilled to continue our partnership and build toward an exciting future here in eastern Texas.”
What to expect
In 2023, The Woodlands event also became the site of the Americas Championship. According to the news release, the 2024 Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas triathlon will include a 2.4-mile point-to-point swim in Lake Woodlands; a 112-mile two-loop bike race including a portion on the Hardy Toll Road; and a 26.2-mile marathon.
The event allows athletes to quality for the 2024 Ironman World Championship events in Nice, France, on Sept. 22 and Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 26 for women and men, respectively.
The event in The Woodlands also is host to the first full-distance Ironman Pro Series event.
