The 2016 IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship in Melbourne has had a date change to Sunday 20 March 2016. The date change for next year’s event came due to a recent announcement by the FIA that the 2016 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix will be held on 3 April.
IRONMAN Asia-Pacific decided it best to change the date of the championship in order to provide the best possible race experience for athletes and spectators.
“Both the IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix are world-class events, bringing athletes and spectators to Melbourne. We felt the best outcome for both events would be to have them on different weekends,” said IRONMAN Asia-Pacific CEO Geoff Meyer.
IRONMAN brand owner World Triathlon Corp (WTC) notes that the date change will provide IRONMAN athletes, as well as their family and friends greater access to accommodation, restaurants and travel services, and will reduce the impact on Melbourne city resources.
For the fifth straight year, Melbourne will catch IRONMAN fever, with more than 2,000 competitors from over 40 countries around the world descending on the major sporting capital. The estimated economic impact for Victoria is in excess of US$12 million annually.
