IRONMAN partnering with Facebook to broadcast 2018 races live worldwide

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Whether you're an athlete or a fan of the races, IRONMAN has a new way of sharing the action with you as it happens.

IRONMAN is partnering with Facebook to broadcast 16 races of its 2018 season worldwide - including Chattanooga's upcoming race in September.

IRONMAN says its live coverage will include viewer interaction through real-time polls, fan engagement and discussion, and user generated content on the course.

The live events will be hosted by IRONMAN champions Greg Welch, Michael Lovato, and Dede Griesbauer.

In addition to the live race coverage, they will hold a 20-episode live weekly show called "IRONMAN: 40 Years of Dreams" to commemorate their 40th anniversary.

The series will debut on July 5 on Facebook Watch and run through November 15, will include "racing and training tips from IRONMAN Master Coaches and legends."

Below is the list of races that will be available to watch on Facebook Watchand the IRONMAN now Facebook page:

• IRONMAN France - Nice, France (June 24)
• IRONMAN Austria - Klagenfurt, Austria (July 1)
• Mainova IRONMAN European Championship - Frankfurt, Germany (July 8)
• IRONMAN UK - Bolton, England (July 15)
• IRONMAN Lake Placid - Lake Placid, New York (July 22)
• IRONMAN Hamburg - Hamburg, Germany (July 29)
• IRONMAN Maastricht - Maastricht, The Netherlands (August 5)
• Subaru IRONMAN Mont Tremblant presented by Sportium - Mont Tremblant, Canada (August 19)
• IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun - Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria (August 26)
• IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship - Nelson Mandalay Bay, South Africa (September 1-2)
• IRONMAN Wisconsin - Madison, Wisconsin (September 9)
• IRONMAN Italy Emilia Romagna - Cervia, Italy (September 22)
• Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga presented by McKee A Family Bakery - Chattanooga, Tennessee (September 30)
• IRONMAN Barcelona - Barcelona, Spain (October 7)
• IRONMAN World Championship (*) - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (October 13)
• IRONMAN Arizona - Tempe, Arizona (November 18)

(*) Live coverage on NBC Sports in the United States.

You can find more information about IRONMAN and events at their website.