Ironman World Championship – Race Week – Thursday
Another huge day of events with the Fun Run taking place. Following on was the Pro's pre-race press conference and then a welcome banquet.
Race week continued today in St. George, Utah, bringing along a plethora of activities and events. After a much anticipated two-year-plus wait, the countdown continues to the world’s most iconic single-day endurance event taking place on Saturday, May 7.
Fun Run
Thursday morning, athletes, friends, families, and the local community had the opportunity to run through the breathtaking city of St. George, Utah, while they participated in the Land of Endurance Fun Run. The exciting 3.5 miles run (5.6 km) took participants through a scenic tour of downtown St. George, passing the St. George Utah Temple and the Greater Zion Stadium before ending at the finish line located at Town Square Park.
Pre-Race Press Conference
Some of the world’s top professional triathletes spoke with the media today during the pre-race press conference that took place at the Electric Theater in historic downtown St. George. Athletes arrived to fanfare as they were greeted with their names presented in the marquee sign outside of the theater. The 14 professional athletes shared their thoughts on St. George, the course, race preparation, and hinted at the strategy it’ll take to come out on top of Saturday’s Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission. The panel consisted of the sport’s top stars, including previous IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Champions, Olympic Medalists and World Triathlon Champions.
| PRO MEN: | PRO WOMEN: |
| Sebastian Keinle (DEU)* | Anne Haug (DEU)* |
| Gustav Iden (NOR)* | Daniela Ryf (CHE)* |
| Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) | Heather Jackson (USA) |
| Alistair Brownlee (GBR) | Skye Moench (USA) |
| Sam Long (USA) | Kat Matthews (GBR) |
| Lionel Sanders (CAN) | Lisa Norden (SWE) |
| Cameron Wurf (AUS) | Ruth Astle (GBR) |
*Previous IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Champions
Welcome Banquet
Tonight, at the Welcome Banquet the entire IRONMAN `Ohana was brought together to celebrate the more than 3,000 athletes from around the world that are set to compete in the most iconic one-day endurance event, as well as their families and supporters, and the special bond between the Island of Hawai`i and Southern Utah. Athletes and their guests were treated to a spectacular pre-race show, including cultural performances, inspiring stories of athletes racing, and guest appearances built around the event theme, Kumukahi – a Hawaiian word, meaning “A New Beginning.” As the Hawaiian Islands shine their light of aloha and the Land of Endurance, St. George, opens its arms to host the first ever IRONMAN World Championship outside of Hawai`i, the promise of Kumukahi gives everyone the aspiration to dream, strength to carry on, and perseverance to remain steadfast their quest.
Last Day of Athlete Check-In
With athletes hailing from 80 countries, regions, and territories converging in the Greater Zion region for the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission, Thursday marked the final day for athletes to check in to race on Saturday, May 7. On Friday, athletes will go through final preparation of gear and bike check-in before the big day.
