Ironman expands in South America with addition of Ironman Mar Del Plata in Argentina

By Wires December 17, 2016

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Argentina welcomes its first full-distance triathlon.

IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holding company, announced today the addition of the IRONMAN^® Mar del Plata triathlon, the 12^th IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 race in South America and the second in Argentina. IRONMAN Mar del Plata will take place on December 3, 2017, along the beautiful Atlantic Coast of Argentina. The race venue is located just 400 km from the capital city of Buenos Aires in the popular seaside town of Mar del Plata, an area known for its rich culture, incredible architecture, and picturesque beaches.

“We are thrilled to offer athletes another opportunity to race an IRONMAN event in Argentina,” said Joanna Jordan, Managing Director of Latin America for IRONMAN. “This will be the first IRONMAN triathlon to be located in a fully Spanish speaking country in South America. Bringing a full-distance IRONMAN race to this region is something we have been looking forward to and we are confident this destination will provide a world-class race experience for our athletes.”

The IRONMAN Mar del Plata triathlon will begin with a 3.8 km (2.4-mile) swim in the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean off of The Bristol Beach, the most well-known beach in Mar del Plata. Athletes will then embark on a flat and fast double-loop, 180.2 km (112-mile) bike course which will start at Almirante Brown Square and head north along the Peralta Ramos Sa Boulevard, offering views of the sparkling water. Finally, participants will take on a 42.2 km (26.2-mile) run course along Peralta Ramos Sea Boulevard. With two-loops, the run course will provide ample opportunity for athletes to be encouraged by cheering spectators before they reach the energetic finish line in front of the NH Gran Hotel Provincial.

“Mar del Plata is a fantastic location to host an IRONMAN event and we are thrilled to provide this opportunity to athletes around the world,” says Pablo Colarez, President of Event Live S.A. and owner of IRONMAN events in Argentina. “With the support of the local government, we have no doubt this race will be a success and a fixture on the race calendar for Latin America, highlighting the beauty of our country.”

Situated along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, Mar del Plata is known as the most popular seaside town in Argentina, playing host to more than eight million tourists annually. The city boasts a beautiful rural landscape with incredible architecture, wonderful beaches, breathtaking cliffs and lush forests. Drawing in visitors with a wide range of activities, the ecological tourism, fishing and cultural events, as well as a historic and natural heritage make Mar del Plata a perfect vacation destination and ideal IRONMAN race venue.

The IRONMAN Mar del Plata triathlon will offer a $40,000 USD professional prize purse and 40 age-group qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship taking place on October 13 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.