Ironman competitors to finish in Stafford town centre

Competitors taking part in the Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire event will be finishing up their gruelling challenge in Stafford town centre come June 10.

And now an invite has been extended to businesses to attend a council-led drop-in event in Stafford to see how they can benefit from the event being on their doorstep.

Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for leisure at Stafford Borough Council, said: “Having Ironman in the heart of the county town will provide a great draw for people to come to Stafford.

“Families and friends of the competitors, as well as thousands of spectators, will be in and around town for this exciting event and if local businesses want to find out more about what is happening and how they can become involved then I hope they will come along to the drop-in session.”

The drop-in sessions will take place in Staffordshire Place 1 between 9.30am and 3pm on April 17 and are open to Staffordshire businesses only.

Athletes competing in the Ironman will take on a 1.2 mile swim at Chasewater Country Park, a 56 mile bike ride around Burntwood, Uttoxeter, Cannock Chase and Stafford, and a 13.1 mile run event around Stafford town centre.

Council chiefs have said the move to bring the finish line to the town centre will see businesses in the area benefitting – despite some road closures.

County Councillor Mark Winnington, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “By having the finish line in Stafford, this gives local businesses both along the route and in the town centre a great opportunity to make the most out of the Ironman event.

“There will inevitably be some disruption as some roads will be closed, but our aim is to work with businesses well in advance to keep any disruption to a minimum, and ensure they can benefit from having an event as big as Ironman right on their doorstep."