The inaugural Ironman race 70.3 comes to northwest Michigan on Sunday, Aug. 25. The extreme event features three stages: a 1.2-mile swim in West Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City; followed by a 56-mile bike ride west to M22 south of Empire, north into Empire, and east along M72 returning to Traverse City; concluded by a 13.1-mile run from Traverse City south around the Boardman Lake.