World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) has confirmed that the first ever Ironman 70.3 Haugesund Norway will be held on 8 July 2012. Athletes will swim in Skeisvatnet, a small lake in the rural part of Haugesund, compete on the bike along the coastline of the North Sea and run through the town centre before they finish at the inner harbor of Haugesund.
Haugesund, incorporated in 1855 and located 280 miles (456 kilometres) away from Oslo on the western coast of Norway, has gained fame as a city of culture – hosting the Amanda Awards, Norway’s variation of the Oscars, since 1985.
“Norwegian athletes have been waiting for this moment for a long time. It’s a very special thing to be able to finish an Ironman 70.3 race in your home country,” said Race Director Ivar Jacobsen, an avid athlete himself, who announced the race together with Stefan Petschnig, Executive Manager WTC Europe & South Africa and Kai Walter, WTC Managing Director Operations Europe.
Ironman 70.3 Norway/Haugesund will be an Official Qualifier race for the 2012 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Las Vegas.
