What arguably may be the most anticipated IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in history, the pinnacle event in IRONMAN 70.3 racing returns this weekend following a COVID-19 induced hiatus.
A week full of festivities and side events leads up to the single-day 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission, which takes place on Saturday, September 18, 2021.
The south-western community of St George, Utah, USA, is playing host to more than 3,000 athletes from more than 85 countries, regions and territories.
‘St. George and the surrounding region including, Hurricane, Washington City, Santa Clara, and Ivins, is ready to show off its beauty to a global audience when it joins a short list of elite IRONMAN event communities to also host a world championship race.’
According to IRONMAN, athlete feedback from past IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships indicate that participants stay an average of more than six nights in the host city. It also shows that athletes seek premium accommodation and a range of additional activities for themselves and their families prior to, and after race day.
With athletes, family, friends, volunteers, partners, and staff converging on St George and the Greater Zion region, the organizers expect a total economic impact of US$15-20 million for the host city and region.
“We are thrilled to be in St George, and active participants in driving positives for the local economy as we return to world championship racing,” said Diana Bertsch, Senior Vice President, World Championship Events for The IRONMAN Group.
“The economic impact stemming from the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship goes well beyond race week. Leading up to and after the event, athletes and accompanied travellers will explore the amazing sights that make Greater Zion such an incredible location.
“Affectionally known as the Land of Endurance thanks to a bounty of events and the natural training ground offerings, athletes and their families will no doubt return for years to come to explore this great southwestern community’s breath-taking geological features, national parks and local businesses, and it’s our privilege to show this gem off to the world.”
The community of St George has been a host venue for IRONMAN races since 2010. The area’s scenery and views of the surrounding red rock canyons have made the community an ideal destination for athletes for years.
The city’s walkable downtown area features local fare and boutique shopping. The race course itself starts in Sand Hollow Reservoir, a body of water at the edge of the orange desert sand in the outdoor adventure town of Hurricane,.
The bike course goes through Snow Canyon State Park and the run is through the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.
“We live in a land of endurance,” said Kevin Lewis, Director of the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office, “It’s a ruggedly beautiful place with striking colours and scenic wonders unlike anywhere in the world, but it is the determination and optimism of the people who live here that make this a championship destination.”
Both the female and male professional races at the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission will be live streamed on the Facebook Watch via the IRONMAN Now channel (www.facebook.com/IRONMANnow), giving fans around the world the opportunity to follow the racing action.
www.ironman.com/im703-world-championship
