IRONMAN ANNOUNCES RUBAVU IN RWANDA AS NEW HOST CITY FOR IRONMAN 70.3 RWANDA
– Inaugural edition of the race to take place on August 14, 2022 with general registration opening February 01, 2022 at www.ironman.com/im703-rwanda – Qualifying slots available for the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Lahti, Finland Photo credit: Andy Marty Photography
TAMPA / LONDON / RUBAVU (January 20, 2022) – IRONMAN announced today that it will add a brand-new event to its 2022 race calendar with the IRONMAN® 70.3® Rwanda in Africa. The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Rwanda triathlon will take place on Sunday, August 14, 2022. General Registration will open on Tuesday, February 01, 2022.
“Rwanda becomes the fourth country in Africa to host an IRONMAN 70.3 event,” said Thomas Veje Olsen, Managing Director of Europe, Middle East, and Africa for The IRONMAN Group. ”’We know from our work in South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt that there is a huge appetite for endurance sports on the African continent, and we are excited to add IRONMAN 70.3 Rwanda to our race calendar. We look forward to putting this unique region on display, athletes and travelling spectators can have so much to look forward to when visiting the district of Rubavu in Rwanda.”
Known for its stunning scenery and warm friendly people, Rwanda offers a unique experience for athletes. Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa and with its incredible biodiversity, including wildlife living amongst volcanoes, mountainous rainforests, magnificent gorillas and scenic plains, athletes will enjoy an adventurous experience like none other. The event host city, Gisenyi situated in Rubavu, is a waterfront town on the shores of Lake Kivu, an hour away from the Volcanoes National Park, and makes a good stopover for relaxation after gorilla tracking. Rubavu has red sandy beaches, warm, clean water, and an easy-going tropical character. It is a great place to unwind, soak up the tranquil vibe while bird watching.
“We are pleased to see high profile events such as IRONMAN choosing Rwanda as their preferred destination. This fits our aspiration to become a leading sports hub in Africa. Rwanda will provide all the necessary support to ensure an IRONMAN 70.3 in the scenic city of Rubavu is a resounding success,” said Aurore Mimosa, Minister of Sports, Government of Rwanda.
Clare Akamanzi, Rwanda Development Board’s CEO, added, “Rwandans are passionate about sports and the country is quickly becoming one of Africa’s leading destinations for global sporting events. That’s why we are so excited to host IRONMAN for the very first time. Athletes and visitors to Rwanda can expect warm hospitality, spectacular scenery, unique wildlife encounters as well as safe and seamless experiences thanks to robust COVID-19 prevention measures. We invite the world to join us in the lakeside city of Rubavu for IRONMAN 70.3, and experience all Rwanda has to offer.”
Athletes participating in IRONMAN 70.3 Rwanda will take on a 1.9km swim at the waterfront of Gisenyi in Lake Kivu, one of the African Great Lakes. Lake Kivu, is just south of the equator and lies at an altitude of 1463 meters above sea level. Athletes will then take on a 90km bike course which takes them out and back through rural Rwanda towards Mount Karisimbi, situated in the Volcanoes National Park, the home of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas. Lastly, the multi-lap 21.1km run course spans the shoreline of Lake Kivu along the Rubona peninsula with beautiful vistas of the shoreline.
Serge Pereira, Founder of Global Events Africa, concluded, “When selecting the next destination for IRONMAN, Rwanda quickly rose to the top of the list due to its strong track record of hosting international sporting events, ease of doing business and incredible tourism attractions. We have no doubt that IRONMAN athletes will be blown away by the experience in Rwanda, a country that is one of the most beautiful, welcoming, and safest places in the world. We look forward to working with the Government of Rwanda to make IRONMAN 70.3 a great success.”
IRONMAN 70.3. Rwanda will offer 30 qualifying slots to the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Lahti, Finland on August 26 – 27, 2023.
IRONMAN EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH SANTINI AS OFFICIAL CYCLING AND TRIATHLON APPAREL PARTNER WITH A MULTI-YEAR DEAL
TAMPA, Fla. (January 12, 2022) – IRONMAN and Santini, a worldwide leader in technical apparel, announced today a multi-year extension of their partnership that began in 2019. With this extension, Santini will continue to design and manufacture a collection of cycling and triathlon apparel dedicated exclusively to IRONMAN®.
“We are delighted to continue with Santini, who is the undisputed leader in the cycling and triathlon technical apparel space,” said Matt Wikstrom, Chief Partnerships Officer for The IRONMAN Group. “They are at the forefront of technology and through their industry leading design and craftsmanship, allow for us to customize garments for each one of our respective events. This allows our athletes the ability to truly memorialize their life-changing achievements.”
The Santini X IRONMAN co-branded cycling and triathlon collection will focus on long distance and be designed to deliver superior comfort and maximum performance with both men’s and women’s options available.
“We have built up a very successful partnership with IRONMAN over the last few years and we are delighted it is continuing,” said Monica Santini, CEO of Santini Cycling Wear. “The partnership allowed us to work hand-in-glove with the undisputed leading athletes in the sector: thanks to their feedback, in fact, we have created a new collection that will help all triathletes to express their potential as fully as possible.”
One of the standout pieces from the new collection that will be available in April 2022 is the Viper trisuit. Wind tunnel-tested and developed in collaboration with pro athletes from the Santini team, the suit will sport a new graphic, featuring the iconic IRONMAN M-dot logo. Color pallets include navy blue with red and grey detailing for men and in navy blue with pink and grey detailing for women.
The Viper is made from a combination of two different fabrics which provide optimal aero efficiency: Trophy by Sitip is light, breathable and quick-drying, while Swan Wrap is used for the sleeves. Lastly, the outside of the crotch/chamois pad area of the suit has a grippy finish to help keep the rider consistently stable in the saddle.
Santini is committed to organizing various activities at several events throughout the year that will feature its own triathlon ambassadors with the aim of attracting more amateur athletes to the sport of triathlon.
For more information on IRONMAN and events in the IRONMAN Group portfolio, visit www.ironman.com. For more information on Santini, visit www.santinicycling.com. Media related inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.
IRONMAN ANNOUNCES POZNAN IN POLAND AS NEW HOST CITY FOR IRONMAN 70.3 TRIATHLON
– Inaugural edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań and 5150 Poznań in Poland to take place on September 4, 2022 (Photo Credit: Iwona Paszkowska)
POZNAN / TAMPA (January 12, 2022) – IRONMAN announced today that it will add to its 2022 global race calendar with IRONMAN® 70.3® Poznań and 5150® Poznań triathlons in Poland.
The inaugural editions of IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań and 5150 Poznań in Poland will take place on September 4, 2022. Athletes can expect a stunning swim-bike-run course with both events hosting the swim leg in Lake Kierskie. Both courses will have a flat, fast bike course before transitioning for the run which takes place in the city centre of Poznań, where the finish line and Race Village will be located at the MTP Poznań Expo.
Michal Drelich, race director said, “We are glad to add the IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań and 5150 Poznań to our IRONMAN Poland portfolio. It’s another milestone for the modern Polish triathlon scene but also a tribute to its history as the swim will take place in the Lake Kierskie, home to the very first triathlon competition in Poland which was held in 1984. We look forward to a great weekend of racing in Poznań and to stay committed to creating the best possible IRONMAN 70.3 experience for our athletes, partners, the host city and other stakeholders.”
IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań will offer 30 qualifying slots to the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Lahti, Finland on August 26 – 27, 2023. General Registration for the Polish event will open on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
A modern triathlon scene (Photo Credit: Tomasz Hejna)
IRONMAN ADDS TO ITS 2022 EVENT CALENDER WITH RACES IN GREECE AND NORWAY
– Inaugural edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Vouliagmeni, Greece to take place on October 23, 2022
– Inaugural edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Sandnes in Norway to take place on July 3, 2022
TAMPA / LONDON / VOULIAGMENI / SANDNES (January 10, 2022) – IRONMAN announced today that it will add two brand-new events to its 2022 race calendar with the IRONMAN® 70.3® Vouliagmeni, Greece triathlon and IRONMAN® 70.3® Sandnes triathlon in Norway.
“When developing our IRONMAN 70.3 race calendar, offering athletes the highest quality triathlon racing experience in unforgettable destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, is at the heart of our planning,” said Thomas Veje Olsen, Managing Director of Europe, Middle East, and Africa for The IRONMAN Group. “I can’t wait to celebrate the sport we love with athletes from around the world in these two incredible locations.”
All-new Greek IRONMAN 70.3 experience
The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Vouliagmeni, Greece will take place on October 23, 2022. Athletes will enjoy the mild weather of the Athenian Fall, in the scenic area of the Athens Riviera. The famous Vouliagmeni seaside town is located 20km from the cultural centre of Athens.
Mike Argyris, race director said, “It is with great joy and enthusiasm that EY ZHN Sports together with The IRONMAN Group announces the newest IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon to be held in our country.”
‘’We are blessed to live in a beautiful country, where sports and culture were born, grown and flourished like nowhere else in the world. IRONMAN 70.3 Vouliagmeni, Greece will be hosted in the enchanting Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, the most beautiful suburb in Athens, and we expect to create a world-renowned event,” continues Argyris.
Athletes will complete a single-loop swim in one of the most popular Greek sandy beaches, the Vouliagmeni – Varkiza beach, looking into the serene, crystal-clear waters of the Athens Riviera Bay. The bike course will be a magnificent, rolling coastal two-loop course towards the emblematic Ancient Temple of Poseidon passing through traditional fishing villages and breath-taking cliffs. Finally, the two-loop run course also follows the coastline, heading to the Lake Vouliagmeni, a real treasure of Greek nature, with yearly warm waters and healing properties.
IRONMAN 70.3. Vouliagmeni, Greece will offer qualifying slots to the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Lahti, Finland on August 26 – 27, 2023. General Registration for the Greek event will open on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
The inaugural edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Sandnes in Norway is set to take place on July 3, 2022. Athletes will race at the gateway to the Fjords of Norway. The region is known for deep mystic fjords, spectacular waterfalls, picturesque city centres, long sandy beaches, and world-famous monuments of the Viking heritage. A compact event with all facilities within walking distance, athletes will swim in the Gandsfjord, ride along the North Sea coastline and run in the city centre of Sandnes.
“We are excited to finally bring the IRONMAN brand back to Norway after a few years’ absence.’’ said Bjarte Mork Eikås, Race Director of IRONMAN 70.3 Sandnes. “The host city of Sandnes has long-standing traditions of hosting large sporting events. The race will bring the athletes close to the unique nature of the southwestern coastline of Norway, while still presenting a challenging flat and fast course to the athletes,” continued Bjarte.
IRONMAN 70.3. Sandnes in Norway will offer 30 qualifying slots to the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Lahti, Finland on August 26 – 27, 2023. General Registration for the Nordic event will open on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
