IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona has been cancelled less than 24 hours before more than 3,000 athletes were due to race, with severe weather prompting authorities to suspend outdoor activities and sporting events.
The age-group-only event had been scheduled for Sunday 4 October, based in Calella on Catalonia’s Maresme coast, around 50km north-east of Barcelona.
Organisers confirmed the cancellation on Saturday, warning that the forecast conditions posed a genuine risk to athletes, volunteers, spectators, staff and the wider community.
The announcement comes just a week after IRONMAN 70.3 New York was also cancelled on the eve of its race because of a coastal storm.
Severe weather warning
Catalan authorities have activated the emergency phase of their flood-response plan amid forecasts of exceptional rainfall, potentially accompanied by strong winds and tornadoes.
Restrictions covering 20 areas, including Maresme, run from 20:00 local time on Saturday until 14:00 on Sunday, spanning the scheduled race morning.
In its statement to competitors, IRONMAN said: “It is with deep disappointment that we must inform you that IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona will not take place tomorrow.
“Today, Civil Protection advised that, due to the unprecedented severe weather forecast for the region, all outdoor activities and sporting events are being suspended.”
Athletes have been urged to follow advice from local authorities and remain indoors where possible.
“Please recognise that the forecast conditions present a genuine risk to the safety of athletes, volunteers, spectators, staff and the wider community,” organisers added.
Advice for athletes
Competitors who had not yet dropped off their bikes and transition bags were told not to travel to transition.
For those who had already checked in their equipment, organisers announced that transition would remain open until 19:00 local time on Saturday for collection.
Athletes unable to return were asked to contact barcelona@ironman.com. Their belongings will be securely stored in the Athlete Garden at Platja del Garbí in Calella, with collection available between 15:00 and 18:00 local time on Sunday.
IRONMAN said all athletes had received an email containing further information.
“Further communications on next steps and options for impacted athletes will be shared in due course,” the statement concluded.
No replacement date or details of those options were included in the announcement.
Second cancellation in a week
The decision follows the cancellation of IRONMAN 70.3 New York, which had been due to take place at Jones Beach on Saturday 26 September.
Organisers called off that event the previous day following consultations with local authorities, emergency management officials and public safety agencies as a coastal storm threatened the region.
