Hefei to host IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in 2016
08.01.2016
The World Triathlon Corporation (“WTC”) flagship event, IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon, will be held this year in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, it was announced by the Hefei Municipal Government and Wanda Group, the owner of WTC at a press conference in Hefei on January 7.
An Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half Ironman, is one of a series of long distance triathlon races organized by the WTC. The "70.3" refers to the total distance in miles (113.0 km) covered in the race, consisting of a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, a 56-mile (90 km) bike ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run.
Zhang Lin, President of the Wanda Cultural Industry Group, said that hosting an Ironman event will fast track the development of sports in Hefei, which is already the nations fastest developing provincial capital. He also added that apart from triathlon, Wanda will also explore other sports markets in the future.
Hefei Mayor Zhang Qingjun said holding an Ironman event would not only provide Hefei with a stronger international presence, but also further its economic development by boosting the city’s hotel business, F&B, retail, transportation, exhibition, entertainment and tourism sectors.
Florida-based WTC, organizer of the Ironman triathlon series, has a 91-percent share of the long-distance triathlon market.
To attract more athletes to participate in the event, the Hefei triathlon will offer 50 qualifying slots for the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, and 15 qualifying slots for the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
The competition is estimated to be held in October, and more information will be released soon, according to Gao Xiaoguang, a spokesman of the Hefei municipal government.
Previously, Wanda Sports Holdings Co. signed a cooperation agreement with the Xiamen Municipal Government on December 24. Under the agreement, an IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon will be held in Xiamen in November 2016.