RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – Nearly a year after fires and floods devastated Ruidoso, the village has announced another big outdoor competition making its way to the area. Ruidoso will host an Ironman 70.3 competition in the summer of 2026. According to Ironman, it is the first branded event to be held in New Mexico and will feature a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride from Grindstone Lake to Hondo and back, and a half-marathon.
This announcement comes as the village prepares to host the Xterra triathlon this summer. The village said the events are helping them become the destination for elite endurance sports. “What we’re expecting is a lot of people that are going to be coming in, and it’s going to be more than just the regular folks. I’m not talking about just Texas and Arizona, and our friends from north of I-40 that will be coming in from around the world. So 97% of the people coming to the community will be new,” said Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford.
Priority registration for the event opens this Monday, with general registration opening on Wednesday. The competition will be held July 11-12, 2026.