CAMBRIDGE, Md.- Two weeks ago, the small business machine that is downtown Cambridge was getting spun up for the Ironman Maryland triathlon, which we now know was canceled due to that storm coming up from the south. Fortunately, that event was rescheduled, the first time Ironman has ever done that. so now, the businesses are preparing for another Ironman triathlon.
Check in began again Thursday in Cambrige for Ironman Maryland. Athletes, from as far away as Puerto Rico are roaming the town. And businesses are rolling out their specials for race weekend.
"We're getting a little bit of a second push, although it's not going to be the 2,000 athletes that we were anticipating two weeks ago. If it turns out to be 1,200, or 1,500 people, that's still going to be a big event," said Main Street Director Brandon Hesson.
Restaurants in town like Katie Mae's are already overflowing with athletes looking for power foods.
"Eggs, a lot of them came in and got eggs. We have lots, so we're going to help them," said owner Katie Smith.
Even businesses that may not necessarily provide services for athletes are stepping in to help.
"We're getting a big truckload of waters to them personally. Just something to let them know that we care about them too. Even if they are not bringing their bikes in or their vehicles in, maybe one day they will," said Sergio Martinez at Mr. Martin Detailing.
The two week delay lead to some difficult scheduling. But Liv Again is still able to bring Grammy nominated artist Karter Jaymes on Saturday night.
"We had to reach out to the artist that we booked because we didn't want to loose that opportunity for the community," said Armah Dashiell.
Jaymes will be coming, specials will be on the menu, Cambridge is ready for their second chance.
If this race had not been rescheduled, Cambridge and Dorchester County would have missed out on millions of dollars worth of money going in to the local economy. Fortunately, with this rescheduling, even if the participants are less, they will still see some of that money.
