

Thousands attend the inaugural Ironman 70.3 event in Richland in the fall of 2024. Local tourism officials are focusing on specialty sports events as a future draw to the Tri-Cities.
Courtesy Visit Tri-CitiesThe IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities triathlon is less than two weeks away and Visit Tri-Cities is looking for volunteers to help the event run smoothly.
The event brought thousands of visitors to the Tri-Cities last year to compete as well as their supporters. Along with generating $7 million in local economic impact, it also generated interest in the region that could lead to even more tourism, according to a release.
There are more than 1,300 volunteer roles at the event, including assisting with checking in participants, handing out water at stations along the race route and greeting triathletes as they cross the finish line.
“When you hand water to an athlete, guide them along the course, or cheer them on, you’re part of their story,” said Kevin Lewis, president and CEO of Visit Tri-Cities, in a statement. “That moment stays with them, and it’s a reflection of the vitality of our community and the friendliness we’re known for.”
All volunteers receive an official IRONMAN T-shirt and refreshments during their shift.
To learn more and sign up, go to: visittri-cities.com/ironman.
