State Representative Michael Finn; Gene Cassidy, President and CEO of the Eastern State Exposition; Sean Dolan, General Manager for MassMutual Center; Paul Picknelly, President of Monarch Enterprises; Stephen Buoniconti; Robert Accorsi and Mike Hurwitz, cochairs for the GSCVB Sports Commission were also in attendance.
The Ironman 70.3 Western Mass Triathlon will consist of a 70.3-mile journey as athletes take on a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run.
Mayor Sarno states, “On behalf of the City of Springfield, I want to thank Dave Christen and the Ironman Group for choosing the city of Springfield for their Western Massachusetts triathlon. Thanks also to the Mary Kay Wydra and the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau for helping to coordinate this event. Special shout out to my Chief of Staff Tom Ashe, the city team and everyone involved for their efforts in making the logistics for this 70.3-mile triathlon event that will include not only Springfield but West Springfield too. This event will welcome approximately 2,500 athletes and their families and supporters. The economic spinoff of this event will greatly benefit our area hotels, restaurants and pouring establishments, as well as our local area attractions including our Dr. Suess Museum, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, MGM Springfield, our restaurant and dinning districts, and other regional attractions such as the Big E. This will add to our city’s economic development vibrancy and I am looking forward to welcoming and cheering these world class athletes on!”
Mayor Sarno added, “by the way, there is no truth that I will be competing – ‘my playing days are over!’, but watch out for Mayor Will Reichelt and state Senator John Velis – my gut tells me they're in!”
