IRONMAN has confirmed the latest addition of IRONMAN 70.3 Jeju, on Jeju Island, Korea, which will be owned and operated by the Korea Triathlon Federation. The inaugural edition of the race will take place on 8 July 2018.
IRONMAN 70.3 Jeju joins the full distance IRONMAN Gurye Korea event, which was confirmed early this year and is scheduled to take place on 9 September 2018. The new IM 70.3 event replaces the now discontinued IRONMAN 70.3 Chungju, IRONMAN 70.3 Busan and IRONMAN 70.3 Incheon events.
“We are thrilled to announce another new race in Asia for the 2018 race season,” said Geoff Meyer, Managing Director for IRONMAN Asia. “The thought of growing the IRONMAN triathlon sport in Asia is exciting and there is no better way than having an IRONMAN 70.3 race in Korea in 2018. We strive to keep bringing IRONMAN races to more destinations across Asia. The team and I are looking forward to working with the Korea Triathlon Federation to organize yet another great race in Korea.”
The largest island off the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island features the natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. The temperate climate, natural scenery, and pristine beaches make it a popular vacation spot. Regular direct flights from China, Japan and Taiwan make travelling to Jeju Island convenient and a popular destination. Jeju Island is known for its mild, warm weather conditions for most of the year. July is seen as the ideal time of the year to visit the island, with moderate and tropical weather conditions reaching 26°C.
“This announcement is the result of months of planning,” said Justin Sukwon Park, President of the Korea Triathlon Federation. “We are delighted to invite triathletes from all around the world to discover the beauty of Jeju. This island will be the perfect stage for an amazing race on July 8.”
The event will take place in the southern part of Jeju Island, Seogwipo. The local Pyoseon Haevichi Beach will host the start of a two-loop 1.9-km clockwise swim through the Pacific Ocean. The athletes will then ride on a scenic and well-paved two-loop 90km bike course with sweeping ocean views. The views of mountains and volcanoes will showcase the exotic landscape Jeju Island has to offer. The athletes will then run a flat oceanside one-loop 21.1km run course along Hwanhaejangseong-ro through little seaside villages before reaching the Finish Line on Pyoseon Haeyichi Beach.
The 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 Jeju, Korea, will be an age-group only race offering 30 qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.
On top of the individual category, 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 Jeju, Korea will offer a relay team option, providing an opportunity for first timers to join the IRONMAN 70.3 race.
