On 25 September 2011 the community of Pays d’Aix and the city of Aix en Provence will host France’s first Ironman 70.3 race, offering 35 qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championships 70.3.
Provence is an ideal location for the inaugural Ironman 70.3 event in France. In the south of the country, it is one of the France’s most popular tourist destinations. More than 800,000 tourists visit the Pays d’Aix region every year, attracted by the sun and beautiful landscape filled with cypress trees, vineyards and olive trees, along with the region’s rich history, culture and traditions.
The region is made up of a number of villages, including Peyrolles, Jouques, Vauvenargues, Puyloubier, Beaureceuil, Le Tholonet and Saint Antonin sur Bayon.
For the inaugural race a number of top pros will compete, including: Marcel Zamora, (ESP-Triathl’ Aix), a five-time winner of Ironman Nice (2006-2010) and two-time winner of Embrun (2009/2010); Olivier Marceau (SWI), Olympic Distance world champion in 2000, and a three-time Olympian who finished third at Ironman Nice 2010; Delphine Pelletier (FRA), third at the ITU Long Distance World Championship 2009 and a six-time French national champion.
The event will also include three other races: a corporate triathlon, a relay and an IronKids race (aquathlon) for children 8-15 years.
