IRONMAN Arizona recently announced its November triathlon would be the last one held in Tempe.
Tempe joined the global IRONMAN circuit in 2005. Competitors have come from all over the world to swim in Tempe Town Lake and run and bike among the buttes.
The roughly 140-mile course includes a swim start in Tempe Town Lake, 111-mile bike ride across tribal land and marathon-length run.
In a statement, organizers said continued growth in the area, as well as extensive construction and development along portions of the bike course, have made permitting difficult.
Judy Stowers is southwest regional director for IRONMAN.
“With the continued growth in the Valley and specifically along our bike course route, it has become more challenging to get the approvals that we need in order to host the event," she said.
Stowers also said course continues to change as time passes.
“Our course follows a stretch of road that is in development right now and will continue to be developed over the next several years, where the general public needs to be able to get in and get out of those areas," she said.
Stowers says the team is looking at other possible host cities in and outside of the Phoenix metro area. The final edition of the Paradox IRONMAN Arizona is Nov. 16.
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