FRANKFORT, MI – The world’s most well-known endurance race is coming to this Up North beach town for another two years, officials agreed.
Frankfort City Council voted this week to extend its contract with Ironman for two more years, 9&10 News reports.
This comes amid pushback from some locals who say the city doesn’t get enough in return for the inconveniences of hosting the event, the report said. Ironman is now paying $11,000 to hold an Ironman 70.3 in Frankfort compared to $9,000 for previous years.
Concerns included roadblocks preventing visitors from getting to the downtown area during the race, and emergency vehicles not being able to get through or around the race, the TV station reports. Officials said the economic impact of the event, including people coming to town for it and returning for subsequent trips, outweighs the costs.
The small town on the Lake Michigan shoreline has been hosting the event since 2021. It’s generally held in late September. The 2025 event is not yet listed on the Ironman website.
Frankfort’s Ironman 70.3 consists of a 1.2-mile swim in Frankfort Harbor, a 56-mile bike ride on sections of the iconic M-22 highway, and a 13.1-mile run through Frankfort and surrounding areas.
