Cambridge Ironman race brings best sales day for downtown businesses
CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Saturday saw 2,000 Triathletes from across the US and abroad, swim, bike, and run in the annual Ironman race in Cambridge.
The course featured a 2.4-mile plunge in the Choptank River, a 112-mile loop across the town, and stretched down to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge before a final 26.2-mile loop through downtown Cambridge.
But while the athletes are jogging through the town, they are surrounded by supporters, family, and restaurants offering a front-row seat for the action.
Restaurants tell 47 ABC the race typically brings their biggest sales day. But, for businesses like Carmela’s Cucina, it’s the night before the race that leaves them scrambling for dough, pasta, and any carb they can serve up, as athletes carb-load to give themselves the energy to complete the race.
“For downtown Cambridge, this is like Black Friday, and every year it is being bigger and bigger and it’s exciting to be a place that serves all these carbs and can help to fuel all these racers,” said Carmela’s Cucino Owner Stefano Bono.
For bars like RAR Brewing in Cambridge, the event offers a chance to open up their space onto the street. Open container permits allow for customers to grab a drink inside, and head out to the track to watch the race.
“The streets are shut down, and you can carry your drinks and watch the athletes, head over to another spot and get food, you are not confined to one place you can explore,” said RAR Manager Toby Donovan.
Donovan says the block party feel gives the downtown a sense of community and fun for visitors, bringing in the sales.
“This is by far our best day with the addition of the new customers the athletes their families friends and it’s not just Saturday, we see the bump Thursday through Sunday,” he said.
Just down the block from RAR, was a street vendor and food truck stand, complete with live music, a Biergarten, and even a hot-dog eating contest showing off local hot sauce companies.
Organizer Ryan Judson said he wanted to give visitors to the town as many options as possible to have fun, and highlight local businesses while they do it.
“It’s just fun to see this town alive, it is always been on the edge of turning around and this is the time for Cambridge to make this comeback,” Judson said.
Maryland Ironman tells 47 ABC, that the economic impact of last year’s race totaled over $4 million, a figure they expect to beat this year based on attendance numbers.
“We are approaching the 2019 figure as we have seen the return of the international athletes which we did not have last year, ” said Maryland Ironman Regional Director Drew Wolf.
Wolf tells 47 ABC the race will donate around 15,000 dollars to local charities, to further show their commitment to the area.
