The Ironman 70.3 Ireland competition will be flexing its muscles in Galway next year, bringing athletes from across the country and pumping €25 million into the local economy.
According to managing director of Ironman Europe, Kai Walter, the event which is scheduled to take place in and around the scenic city of Galway on September 4, 2011, will provide an estimated boost of €25 million to the local economy over five years.
The inaugural race will mark the first Ironman event in Ireland, allocating 35 qualifying slots for the Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Florida.
“Galway offers ideal conditions for an Ironman 70.3 event. The race course is beautiful and has all qualifications of establishing itself as a highlight in the race calendar for triathletes worldwide,” said Walter.
The start of the race begins between Salthill and the famous ancient Claddagh fishing village. After the 1.9k swim in the waters of Galway Bay, the athletes will take on the challenge of the 90k bike course, leading them through the beautiful countryside taking in views of Connemara and the Burren along the way. On the spectator friendly run course (21.1 k ) through downtown Galway with its many pedestrianised streets, the athletes will pass a number of iconic landmarks, finishing under the grandstands at John F KennedyPark in Eyre Square
"I believe that the Ironman 70.3 in Galway on the west coast of Ireland offers Ironman athletes a truly unique challenge in a location that is unrivalled anywhere in the world,” says Eoin McCormack of E & R Events, local partner of the race in Galway.
Registration opens on October 11, 2010. For more information about the race visit www.iron manireland.com
