World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is making changes to the on-course photography process for this year’s Ford Ironman World Championship and Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, presented by Ford.
To reduce the volume of on-course vehicles and traffic, increase safety and further enhance the athlete experience, a new photography site (www.EnduraPix.com) will launch the first week of October. This will offer high quality on-course imagery and, in its first year, will feature photos from both World Championship events for purchase.
Motorcycle and vehicle access to the bike and run courses will be limited to EnduraPix photographers only; however WTC will continue to offer a press truck for a limited number of credentialed photographers.
WTC will no longer offer media access to the finish line floor. At the Ford Ironman World Championship, credentialed photographers will be stationed on the media bleachers that face the finish line. Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 credentialed photographers will be stationed on the raised platform facing the finish line.
Credentialed photographers will continue to have access to the swim start of both World Championship events via pier and beach in Kailua-Kona and Clearwater, respectively. Additionally, photographers will continue to have access to open areas of the bike and run course by foot.
“We will continue to service the important needs of the domestic and international media who cover our sport and play a vital role in the event,” said Diana Bertsch, Ford Ironman World Championship Event Director.
“The safety of athletes and others involved is our primary focus, and the implementation of EnduraPix will meet our safety objectives while allowing athletes, media, volunteers and spectators to accomplish their race-day goals."
According to WTC, the EnduraPix system will provide imagery for media outlets, as well as for consumer, advertising and design purposes in an efficient and cost-effective way. Utilising photographers from around the world, EnduraPix will assign each photographer to a specific area of the race.
EnduraPix is still considering portfolios for the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 and 2011 events. A number of world-class sports photographers are already confirmed to shoot for the 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship.
Photographers interested in shooting for EnduraPix at this year’s Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 and for 2011 events should submit portfolios to info@EnduraPix.com.
