Edinburgh, Scotland selected to host newest Ironman 70.3 Triathlon

By Wires December 15, 2016

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IRONMAN^® 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland to take place on July 2, 2017;

General registration to open December 19, 2016

IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holding company, today announced the addition of the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Edinburgh, Scotland triathlon. The inaugural race will take place on Sunday July 2, 2017, with registration opening on Monday, December 19, 2016.

With the addition of this new race, the IRONMAN calendar in the United Kingdom and Ireland now features eight events which include IRONMAN UK, IRONMAN Wales, IRONMAN 70.3 UK, IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire, IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin, IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth as well as VELOTHON^® Wales within the IRONMAN portfolio.

“The UK has seen a perpetual growth in athlete participation and there is clear demand for more races,” said Kevin Stewart, Regional Director of Northern Europe for IRONMAN. “We are excited to be expanding to Scotland for the first time and to now be able to offer events in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales, giving thousands of athletes the opportunity to cross an IRONMAN finish line in the UK and Ireland.”

Approximately 2,000 athletes are anticipated to head to Edinburgh, the country’s capital, and the surrounding East Lothian and Midlothian countryside for this inaugural race. Dating back thousands of years and home to the many iconic historic sites including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh is known to be one of the world’s most beautiful and compelling cities.

The area is rich in history, combining a cosmopolitan capital city with verdant countryside. It offers an attractive coastline which provides a fantastic setting and destination for thousands of athletes, their friends and families. Located on the easily accessible South East coast of Scotland, Edinburgh is served directly by multiple airlines from over 100 destinations, as well as fast and direct train lines from London and cities across the UK and Scotland.

The IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland triathlon will start at the historic Gosford House and feature a 1.2-mile (1.9km) sea swim from Gosford Sands on the Firth of Forth. Upon exiting the swim, athletes will then embark on a 56-mile (90.1km), one-loop bike ride on closed roads through the rolling countryside of East Lothian, Midlothian, and through the outskirts of the city centre of Edinburgh and Dalkeith country park. The athletes will then arrive in the transition area at the spectacular setting of Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano, in Holyrood Park. The athletes will head off on a beautiful multi lap 13.1-mile (21.2km) run within Holyrood Park before crossing the finish line.

“As IRONMAN continues to grow in stature, attracting the attention of serious athletes and media worldwide, we are delighted to be supporting their first visit north of the border through EventScotland’s International Programme,” said Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events. “Taking place amidst some of the scenic natural landscape Scotland has to offer, we expect the Edinburgh stage to be one of the best supported on the IRONMAN 70.3 calendar, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of competitors and spectators in summer next year.”

“IRONMAN has to be one of the toughest races on the planet and the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland triathlon will be one of the most challenging, with its demanding finish around Arthur’s Seat,” said Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Events Champion. “It is great news for sport in the Capital to play host to this inaugural Scottish event. The athletes will be able to take in some fantastic views as they swim in the Firth of Forth, cycle through the Lothians and sprint to the finishing line in Edinburgh’s spectacular Holyrood Park.”

“It’s fantastic news that the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon is coming to East Lothian for the first time. Our amazing natural environment will certainly provide a challenge for the contestants and a great backdrop for the thousands of spectators we’re expecting,” said Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council spokesperson for Economic Development and Tourism. “We hope many of them will choose to stay here and explore a bit more of East Lothian and sample our world-famous hospitality and food and drink. It’ll be a welcome refuel I’m sure after such a tough event!”

“Having lived and trained in Scotland throughout my career and having to always travel afar to compete in IRONMAN events, I was absolutely delighted to hear that IRONMAN 70.3 is coming to Edinburgh, a city that I am extremely fond of, where I studied at University and have spent so much time through life,” said Scotland’s multiple IRONMAN winner Fraser Cartmell, from Stirling. “I know all fellow Scottish triathletes will be equally thrilled at the prospect of a home IRONMAN 70.3 event. – It is not only extremely exciting for the expansion of our sport but it obviously provides the perfect platform to showcase our fantastic scenery. I cannot wait to stand on the start line!”

General registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland will open at 8 a.m. ET/2 p.m. CET on Monday, December 19, 2016. IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland will offer a $25,000 USD professional prize purse and 35 age-group qualifying slots to the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place on September 9 and 10 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA