On September 28th, 2025, athletes and spectators from around the world will gather in downtown Augusta, Georgia, to witness Ironman 70.3. Many look forward to experiencing the beautiful, diverse landscape and southern hospitality.
However, the race comes with risks, regardless of whether or not you are participating or just attending. If you’re headed to Augusta to experience the Ironman thrill this fall, here are a few tips to help you get the most enjoyment out of the race while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.
Understand and Follow the Rules
All Ironman competitions have strict rules for competitors and spectators. Both parties should be familiar with these rules before attendance. Additionally, pay attention to any changes during arrival or athlete check-in.
For example, spectators must stay off the course to avoid interfering with athletes. If you are competing, you should obey traffic rules during the race and follow guidelines regarding appropriate gear (such as wetsuits and running shoes).
Prepare For the Experience
Athletes should access Ironman’s prep checklist, which provides recommendations on how to check fitness and health levels, set goals, and create a customized training program. It’s also essential for spectators and athletes to know how to plan their travel and logistics in advance so they can transport themselves to the venue and around the city.
Both athletes and spectators should also become as familiar as possible with the event route so they know what kind of water and terrain they’ll encounter. For example, the swim route for the Savannah River runs downcurrent. While this can help swimmers cover more distance in less time, it can also be exhausting if they ever need to swim against the current.
Consider the Landscapes
The Ironman run in CSRA includes a mix of urban and rural landscapes. The route will go through downtown Augusta, which may require athletes to navigate car traffic in places where a full road closure is not possible. While it’s essential to be vigilant, it’s also crucial to be aware that past Ironman athletes have been seriously hurt in car accidents.
For example, a triathlete was recently injured when he collided with a motorcyclist on the race route. Though organizers do their best to plan traffic control, those plans don’t always protect athletes to the extent they should, which can result in injuries due to someone else’s negligence.
Because athletes and spectators will encounter rural areas during the bike race, it’s also important to know that some terrain may be rough. Research and training can help with smoother navigation. Still, it’s impossible to predict every hazard that may lie ahead.
Each municipality is responsible for providing sufficient road maintenance and repair to keep people safe, but this doesn’t always happen as it should. Ironman organizers should also provide signage to warn people of potential danger, but these efforts aren’t always adequate to prevent injuries or fatalities.
Contact the Augusta Personal Injury Lawyers at Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys For a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt as an Ironman athlete or spectator, figuring out who is responsible for your injuries can be challenging. This is especially true for athletes, who must sign waivers indicating that they are aware of and okay with the inherent risks of participating in the race.
An experienced personal injury attorney can dig into the details of your case to determine who was at fault. For example, did a bike rental company supply you with defective equipment that caused a bike accident? Did the city fail to provide adequate traffic control or road maintenance? Did race organizers fail to follow necessary safety protocols?
When you have a personal injury attorney on your side, they’ll help you ensure your rights are upheld throughout the legal process.