"Dear IRONMAN Chattanooga Athletes –

Due to significant flooding and record-breaking rains that Chattanooga and the surrounding areas in Tennessee have recently experienced, IRONMAN and local city officials have determined that in the interest of athlete safety, it is necessary to cancel the swim portion of the 2018 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon presented by McKee A Family Bakery.

IRONMAN has strict swim safety benchmarks in place that have been surpassed, including the rate of water flow and water quality. There has been a three-foot increase in water levels due to the opening of flood gates upstream, and the opening of a spillway outside of Chattanooga, generating additional flow with a rate three times higher than the limit deemed safe for swimming in the Tennessee River.

Water quality readings for E. coli have also come back at 2,416 (CFU per 100mL of water), more than 20 times higher than safe levels for swimming. Additionally, due to a considerable amount of debris, murky water and the water flow, IRONMAN would not be able to deploy several of the water safety assets that are necessary to ensure a safe swim.

As athlete safety is our paramount concern, we appreciate your understanding based on these extenuating conditions.

Athletes will be informed of race day procedures for the new bike-run event during the mandatory race briefings at Ross’s Landing. To see the event schedule, visit www.ironman.com/chattanooga

We look forward to a great race day and welcoming you to the finish line."