Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast Sells Out
It took less than two hours for entries into the inaugural IRONMANÃ’ 70.3 Sunshine Coast to sell out this morning after opening online, creating history as the first IRONMAN 70.3 worldwide to do so. The race on Sunday 15 September, 2013 will be another signature triathlon event for the region. There
It took less than two hours for entries into the inaugural IRONMANÃ’ 70.3 Sunshine Coast to sell out this morning after opening online, creating history as the first IRONMAN 70.3 worldwide to do so.
The race on Sunday 15 September, 2013 will be another signature triathlon event for the region.
There was much hype around this event when it was launched last month, and it has been a much anticipated and long awaited one by Ironman athletes.
The Sunshine Coast has a superb reputation for staging major events, and this event compliments the world renowned Noosa and Mooloolaba Triathlons.
Entries exceeded expectations with 1960 athletes securing places, a third of these registering from interstate and overseas.
“This is a great achievement and testament to what incredible work our team and government stakeholders have invested,” said Geoff Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN Asia Pacific. “The Sunshine Coast is a preeminent location for hosting major triathlons in Australia and the athletes have voted with their support this morning with a sell-out event.”
With a plethora of Ironman athletes basing themselves on the Sunshine Coast to live and train, including IRONMAN World Champion Pete Jacobs it is expected the professional field will be world class and supported. The event is ideally placed as a lead up race to the 2013 IRONMAN ® World Championship on October 12.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, said the new event was already a great success for the Sunshine Coast.
“To have the inaugural event sell out in less than two hours demonstrates the popularity and support for major international sporting events like this on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast,” said Minister Stuckey.
“This is fantastic news for the local businesses and tourism operators including accommodation providers, with registered participants to travel to the region from interstate and overseas for the event.
“The Sunshine Coast has fast become Australia’s home of triathlon, with the IRONMAN 70.3 joining the Noosa and Mooloolaba Triathlons in 2013.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said he was very pleased but not completely surprised to see the 70.3 IRONMAN booked out so quickly.
“There has been a lot of pent-up anticipation for this great event,” he said.
“As everyone knows, here on the Sunshine Coast we do triathlon-style events like IRONMAN 70.3 exceptionally well, and I am particularly pleased we have strong international and interstate contingents putting their hands up.
“We look forward to welcoming all the participants and their families in September.”
The event requires athletes to complete a 1.9km swim; a 90km cycle and a 21.1km run, incorporating the Sunshine Coast’s beautiful landscape. The course is idyllic, swimming in the warm, clean waters of the Pacific Ocean, riding along smooth roads with hinterland scenery and a stunning run course with ocean views the entire way.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast will offer a USD25,000 prize purse and 40 age group qualifying slots for the 2013 IRONMAN ® World Championship 70.3.
