Overview
Race the flat, scenic IRONMAN Maryland course in Cambridge. Enjoy a river swim, wildlife refuge bike ride, and downtown run. Perfect for all levels!
Over 10 Years of Crabby Nation For over 10 years, those who have toed the line at IRONMAN Maryland have joined a community of athletes dedicated to overcoming whatever challenge race day brings. Whether you’re a first-time athlete or seasoned veteran, Crabby Nation is with you on your journey to becoming an IRONMAN. Bask in the sunrise at Gerry Boyle Park before embarking on a 2.4-mile swim in the Choptank River, take a scenic tour of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on one of the best bike courses in North America as voted on by athletes, and run through downtown Cambridge buoyed by the cheers of thousands of supporters rallying around the Crabbies making their way to the finish line. We are Crabbies and this is Crabby Nation. Embrace the journey to becoming an IRONMAN. Embrace the journey to becoming a Crabby.
Race categories
226K
IRONMAN
- Schedule
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
12:30 PM · Run Course Preview Ride (Bike Helmet Required) · Gerry Boyle Park 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM · Parking Shuttle Bus Service · Lot at Hayward and Byrn Streets 1 PM - 5 PM · Athlete Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-Up · Long Wharf 1 PM - 5 PM · IRONMAN Village Bike Store & Tech Service Center Information Tent · Long Wharf 1 PM - 5 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Long Wharf 1:30 PM · Athlete Briefing · Long Wharf 2 PM · Shake Out Run with Cambridge Multisport · Long Wharf 3 PM · Athlete Briefing · Long Wharf 4 PM · First Timer Q&A with IMU Coach · Long WharfThursday, September 17, 2026
8 AM · Run Course Preview Ride (Bike Helmet Required) · Gerry Boyle Park 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM · Parking Shuttle Bus Service · Lot at Hayward and Byrn Streets 9 AM - 5 PM · Athlete Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-Up AWA Priority Check-In ends at 12 PM · Long Wharf 9 AM - 5 PM · IRONMAN Village Bike Store & Tech Service Center Information Tent · Long Wharf 9 AM - 5 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Long Wharf 9:15 AM · Run Course Preview Ride (Bike Helmet Required) · Gerry Boyle Park 11 AM - 2 PM · Become One First Time IRONMAN Clinic · Gerry Boyle Park 11 AM · Athlete Briefing · Long Wharf 1 PM · Athlete Briefing · Long Wharf 3 PM · Athlete Briefing · Long Wharf 4 PM · First Timer Q&A with IMU Coach · Long Wharf 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM · Welcome Social · Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM · Welcome Ceremony · Hyatt Regency Chesapeake BayFriday, September 18, 2026
7:30 AM - 9 AM · Practice Swim ( Athletes MUST check in on Wednesday or Thursday to participate. Athletes will not be permitted to enter the water after 8:45 AM or without a timing chip) · Gerry Boyle Park 7:30 AM - 9 AM · Swim Course Q&A with IMU Coach · Gerry Boyle Park 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM · Parking Shuttle Bus Service · Lot at Hayward and Byrn Streets 9 AM - 11 AM · Athlete Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-Up · Long Wharf 9 AM - 3 PM · IRONMAN Village Bike Store & Tech Service Center Information Tent · Long Wharf 9 AM - 3 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Long Wharf 9:30 AM · INs and OUTS of transition - Stage Talk · Long Wharf 10 AM - 3 PM · Mandatory Bike & Gear Bag Check-In · Gerry Boyle Park 10 AM · Crabby Underwear Run · Water St & Mill St 10:30 AM · Race Game Plan - Stage Talk · Long Wharf 11 AM · Athlete Briefing · Long Wharf 12 PM · Run Course Preview Ride (Bike Helmet Required) · Gerry Boyle Park 1 PM · Mastering the IRONMAN Maryland Swim, Bike and Run - Stage Talk · Long Wharf 2 PM · Athlete Briefing · Long Wharf 4 PM - 5 PM · Finish Line Magic Hour · Long WharfSaturday, September 19, 2026 - Race Day!
4:15 AM - 2 AM · Parking Shuttle Bus Service · Mace’s Lane Middle School 5 AM - 6:30 AM · Transition Area Open · Gerry Boyle Park 5 AM - 6:30 AM · Morning Clothes & Bike/Run Personal Needs Bags Drop-Off · Gerry Boyle Park 6:40 AM · Pro Men Swim Start · Gerry Boyle Park 6:50 AM · Pro Women Swim Start · Gerry Boyle Park 7 AM · Age Group Rolling Start · Gerry Boyle Park 7 AM - 3 PM · Information Tent · Gerry Boyle Park 9 AM - 7 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Long Wharf 12 PM - 7 PM · IRONMAN Village · Long Wharf 12 PM - 12:30 AM · Morning Clothes Bag Pick-Up · Long Wharf 4 PM - 7 PM · Information Tent · Long Wharf 4 PM - 1:30 AM · Local Shuttle Service · Finish Line & Gerry Boyle Park 6:15 PM - 1 AM · Mandatory Bike & Gear Check-Out · Gerry Boyle Park 10 PM · Hero Hour Finish Line Party · Finish LineSunday, September 20, 2026
7 AM - 12 PM · Bike Store & Tech Service Center · Long Wharf 7 AM - 12 PM · IRONMAN Village · Long Wharf 7 AM - 12 PM · Official IRONMAN Store and Medal Engraving · Long Wharf 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM · Celebration Day & Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast · Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay 9 AM - 11 AM · Lost & Found · Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay 9:30 AM · Awards Ceremony & 2027 IRONMAN World Championship Slot Allocation/Rolldown Ceremony Automatic Qualifiers need to be present during the Awards Ceremony to claim their slot with their award. Slot Allocation/Rolldown for the remaining age group “Performance Pool Slots” will begin immediately following Awards. Be early! Must be present to claim a slot · Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay- Route
Swim
River
Bike
Flat
Run
Flat
Typical race-day conditions
Air 20–26 °C · Water 22 °CSwim course
Your swim takes place in the brackish tidal waters of the Choptank River. In 2026, the swim will take place during the outgoing tide, which means you’ll swim against a slight current on the outbound leg, and with a slight current on the inbound leg to start your second loop or head to swim exit. Make sure to account for the current when sighting so you don’t veer too far off course. If you do, we will have plenty of swim safety support to keep you on track. The finish line is along the historic Long Wharf on the Choptank River with a backdrop of an iconic Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse.Bike course
The two-lap, non-technical bike course takes athletes into rural Dorchester County, through Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, and miles of beautiful wetlands which is home to one of the highest concentrations of nesting bald eagles on the Atlantic Coast. The course is flatter than flat with less than 500 feet of elevation gain. Although it isn’t a closed course, traffic should be minimal but riders should remain vigilant.Run course
The flat run course is where IRONMAN Maryland really shines with a three-lap, out-and-back format that provides plenty of chances to soak up that spectator energy. Athletes will run along the Choptank River and through neighborhoods into downtown Cambridge passing by the house that Annie Oakley lived in from 1913-1917. The run course takes you down the brick-paved road of High Street, which is considered to be the most haunted street on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, before a turnaround on spectator-lined Poplar St in downtown Cambridge.
Update history
3 Oct 2026
Registration opened: — → https://www.ironman.com/races/im-maryland
3 Oct 2026
Venue changed: Cambridge, MD, United States → IRONMAN Maryland, Cambridge
3 Oct 2026
Time changed: 18 September at 0:00 → 18 September at 4:00
IRONMAN Maryland
Sat, 18 Sept 2027