The fourth edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Western Massachusetts triathlon is set to take place this Sunday in Springfield. The 1,671 athletes competing in the event will represent 38 states and 12 countries.

Registration for the event is closed, with the race set to start on Sunday at 6 a.m. from North Riverfront Park. The race will start with a 1.2-mile downriver swim in the Connecticut River.

Following the swim, athletes will transition to a 56-mile bike course beginning at Riverfront Park. Once they loop all the way back to the park, the race will conclude with a 13.1-mile run course that passes through Forest Park, finishing in downtown Springfield.

At 3 p.m. on Sunday, the awards ceremony and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship slot allocation/rolldown ceremony will take place at the MassMutual Center.

“We are delighted to once again host this world-class event right here in Western Massachusetts,” President of Explore Western Mass, Mary Kay Wydra, said in a news release. “Hotels for IRONMAN weekend are nearly full, with athletes arriving from across New England and even internationally. Before and after they compete, they’ll be exploring our local attractions and fueling up at our restaurants.”

The Friday and Saturday leading up to the race will include events as well, with IRONMAN Village set to take place on Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., all from the MassMutual Center.

Saturday also will feature a panel discussion with the mayor of West Springfield, Will Reichelt, Dr. Tommy Martin and 50-time IRONMAN finisher and Agawam native Tom DeLuca, with a presentation to follow, all starting at 10:30 a.m.

A new IRONKIDS run takes place on Saturday at 1 p.m. along Riverfront Park as well. The event consists of a one-mile race for ages 5-17, a half-mile race for ages 3-8, and a toddler trot for ages 1-3.

This year, the IRONMAN Foundation is distributing over $18,000 in charitable giveback to local organizations within the Springfield region, bringing the total historical giveback to over $61,000.