Ironman 70.3 Triathalon (4th September 2011)

Scheduled for Saturday, September 4, 2011, Ironman 70.3 Ireland will take place in and around the scenic city of Galway, with a spectacular finish in Eyre Square. 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. Up to 10,000 visitors are expected to descend on the city, including 2,500 athletes from 30 countries, who will complete a gruelling run, swim and a cycle.

Located on Ireland’s West Coast and within short driving distance of Shannon airport and two hours from Dublin, Galway is known as the “Cultural Heart of Ireland”, hosting numerous festivals, celebrations and events.

The start of the race begins between the seaside village of Salthill and the famous ancient Claddagh fishing village around which the city of Galway grew. After the 1.9 k swim in the crystal clear waters of Galway Bay, the athletes will take on the challenge of the 90 km bike course, leading them through the beautiful countryside taking in views of Conamara and the Burren along the way. On the spectator friendly run course (21.1 km) through downtown Galway with its many pedestrianised streets, athletes pass a number of Galway’s iconic landmarks, finishing under the grand stands of John F. Kennedy Park, better know locally as 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 unrivaled anywhere in the world. Galway is famous for its friendly atmosphere and stunningly beautiful landscape, all of which should add up to a thoroughly wonderful experience for competitors from all around the world,” says Eoin McCormack of E & R Events, local partner of the race in Galway.

Kai Walter, Managing Director of IRONMAN European Headquarters, is pleased with the location of the first Irish IRONMAN: “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.”

For more information about the race, please visit www.ironmanireland.com.