Held on Sunday 4 September 2011, Ironman 70.3 Ireland will take place in and around the scenic city of Galway, with a spectacular finish in Eyre Square. The inaugural race will mark the first Ironman event in Ireland, allocating 35 qualifying slots for the Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Florida.
Registration for Ironman 70.3 Ireland opens on 11 October 2010. Located on Ireland’s West Coast and within short driving distance of Shannon airport and two hours from Dublin, Galway is known as the ‘Cultural Heart of Ireland’, hosting numerous festivals, celebrations and events.
The start of the race begins between the seaside village of Salthill and the famous ancient Claddagh fishing village around which the city of Galway grew. After the 1.9K swim in the crystal clear waters of Galway Bay, the athletes will take on the challenge of the 90K bike course, leading them through the beautiful countryside – taking in views of Conamara and the Burren along the way.
On the spectator friendly 21.1K run course, through downtown Galway with its many pedestrianised streets, athletes pass a number of Galway’s iconic landmarks, finishing under the grand stands of John F. Kennedy Park, better know locally as Eyre Square.
"I believe that the Ironman 70.3 in Galway on the West coast of Ireland offers Ironman athletes a truly unique challenge in a location that is unrivaled anywhere in the world,” said Eoin McCormack of E & R Events, local partner of the race in Galway.
“Galway is famous for its friendly atmosphere and stunningly beautiful landscape, all of which should add up to a thoroughly wonderful experience for competitors from all around the world.”
Kai Walter, Managing Director of Ironman European Headquarters, is pleased with the location of the first Irish Ironman. “Galway offers ideal conditions for an Ironman 70.3 event,” he said. “The race course is beautiful and has all qualifications of establishing itself as a highlight in the race calendar for triathletes worldwide.”
