Ironman flexes muscles with expansion
The world’s best triathletes will tough it out in six Chinese cities this year, beginning in Liuzhou this weekend, as the prestigious IRONMAN 70.3 series spreads its reach across the country.
The series made its Chinese debut last year with two events, in Hefei (Anhui province) and Xiamen (Fujian province), after Dalian Wanda Group purchased the World Triathlon Corporation in 2015.
And the Chinese property giant has demonstrated its commitment to growing the lung-bursting sport, which involves swimming, cycling and running, by adding another four cities this year: Liuzhou, Yinchuan (Ningxia Hui autonomous region), Qujing (Yunnan province) and Chongqing.
”We would like to see more athletes, spectators and media friends join the series to improve their physical strength and enrich their lives,” said a Wanda Sports spokesperson.
“Hopefully in the near future, the event will become a household brand.”
The opening event of the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 begins on Saturday in the southwestern city of Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, which boasts a breathtaking landscape and hopes to establish itself as a center for sport.
Over 1,100 athletes, 300 of them from abroad, will compete in Liuzhou, with the top 50 finishers qualifying for the upcoming Ironman World Championship, which is held annually in Hawaii’s Kailua Kona.
In IRONMAN 70.3 races, competitors cover a total distance of 113 kilometers, consisting of a 1.9 -km swim, a 90km bike ride and a 21-km run. That distance is doubled in an IRONMAN race.
“IRONMAN is a very complicated event to organize,” said Andrew Messick, WTC’s chief executive, who competed in last year’s Hefei round.
“The combination of swimming, biking and running takes a lot of work and skill. Luckily we have a great partner in China to make it happen for us. And having a passionate partner like Wanda enables us to create great races much faster than before.
“The future for IRONMAN races in China is fantastic. We will see Chinese athletes, professionals and amateurs, competing at the highest level very soon.”