March 26, 2010 (San Juan, Puerto Rico) -- Today, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announces an addition to its expanding event calendar. Ironmanâ 70.3â San Juan will take place on March 19, 2011, on the picturesque Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. The event is part of the Ironman 70.3 Series that now includes 46 races worldwide and will serve as a qualifier for the 2011 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, Presented by Ford.
Registration for Ironman 70.3 San Juan will open at noon EST on Friday, March 26, 2010, and will be available through the event's official Web site, www.ironmansanjuan.com.
"We are thrilled to kick-off next year's North America racing season with Ironman 70.3 San Juan,” said Steve Meckfessel, WTC's chief operations officer. "San Juan provides breathtaking, natural and historic beauty, high-profile event venues and race routes, and accessibility from the U.S. and major international markets. The race will complement existing 70.3 events in the region, including Ironman 70.3 St. Croix and Ironman 70.3 Miami.”
Athletes will experience a 1.2-mile swim in the protected waters of San Juan Bay and will transition facing the Puerto Rico Convention Center, also a prime viewing location for spectators. Continuing with a 56-mile bike from San Juan, athletes will cycle toward the municipality of Dorado, offering beachfront views and several short, but challenging climbs. The 13.1-mile run will lead athletes through the city of Old San Juan and past 16th-century Spanish architecture, including the famous Fort San Felipe del Morro.
"At the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, we have been promoting sports meetings and sports tourism for over a decade. We are thrilled with the opportunity to assist through our services in the coordination of this important event in Puerto Rico. Events, such as this one, give us the chance to showcase to event organizers the Island's capacity for meetings and congresses related to the sports market,” stated Ana María Viscasillas, president and CEO of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau.
Professional athletes will compete for a $25,000 prize purse. A total of 40 slots for the 2011 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 will be awarded to top professional and age group finishers.
The Mayor of San Juan, Jorge Santini-Padilla, is extremely proud of knowing that an event of such magnitude will take place in the Capital City. "When we are asked to collaborate in events such as Ironman, San Juan always says yes. We open the doors of our City to ours and those who visit, so that they can showcase their talent, in sports, the arts, beauty or literature," the Mayor quoted.
"In this occassion, and after successfully celebrating the 2nd Latinamerican Special Olympics Games, we distinguish ourselves as the Sports Capital of Puerto Rico. It is with much pride and enthusiasm that we will welcome in March 2011, over 2,000 athletes, to whom we will give the best of ourselves so that they can have the greatest experience at an endurance event, " he added.
"No doubts that this event will once again place our Guarded City and Puerto Rico under the watchful eye of the World. In addtion, and not less important, we will have the honor of opening the Ironman 70.3 Series with Ironman 70.3 San Juan. Great things are happening in San Juan and that is because we only bring the greatest and the best," concluded Santini.
For additional information on this event and the Ironman 70.3 Series, visit Ironman.com.
About Ironman
World Triathlon Corporation, owner and organizer of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 branded-events, is a Florida-based company recognized for athletic excellence, performance and quality products. With the addition of the Ironman 70.3 Series, Ironman now has more than 60 qualifying events worldwide. Supported by partners that include Ford Motor Company, PowerBar and Timex, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world. Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception more than 31 years ago and is regarded as the world's most challenging endurance event. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss' crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Each year, more than 170,000 athletes compete for slots in the Ford Ironman World Championship held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, Presented by Ford, held every November in Clearwater, Fla. The Ironman brand has been featured in a range of media outlets to include NBC, CNN Headline News, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, People, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and USA Today.
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