Unusually warm race conditions made the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire a tough but special one for Hugh Brashaw (UK) and Lydia Dant (UK) – who crossed the finish line first in the men’s and women’s races respectively.
Athletes started off the swim in calm conditions with the water temperature at 21.7°C (71.1°F). The air temperature was 18°C (64.4°F) at the start of the race – rising to 26°C (78.8°F) by midday.
The race marked its return after being postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It marked a positive weekend in 2021 for IRONMAN, following the successful running of IRONMAN UK in Bolton in recent weeks. The Staffordshire race also helped to off-set some disappointment following the confirmed cancellation of IRONMAN Wales this September.
975 athletes converged in Staffordshire to participate in the sixth edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire event, under the race organizer’s Safe Return to Racing Guidelines.
The IRONMAN 70.3 race began with a sunrise at Chasewater where athletes undertook a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile bike through the heart of the Staffordshire countryside and the Cannock Chase area. The run 13.1 mile run course took athletes alongside the River Sow, into Stafford town centre and towards Stafford Castle.
Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said “It’s been fantastic to welcome so many athletes to Staffordshire who have all done so well over a gruelling event and particularly in such warm weather.
“After a year’s absence due to the pandemic, it has been great to see IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire return, with participants and their families coming to enjoy the county, many for the first time. We’d like to thank all athletes who had taken a lateral flow test before the event to keep people safe and to spectators who have watched in accordance with current guidelines.
“We’d also like to thank local residents and businesses around the route for their understanding through the closures period, and to the IRONMAN team for running the event smoothly.”
Rebecca Sutherland, Race Director at IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire, said “The atmosphere in Staffordshire was amazing. We are grateful to the whole community for making the athletes and the team feel so welcomed.
“We appreciate all the hard work our partners do behind the scenes to ensure that athletes have an unforgettable race experience. We especially would like to thank Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council who have provided their constant support.
“The safety of our athletes and volunteers remains our top priority, and I’m proud of the team for putting on the amazing event under our Safe Return to Racing Guidelines.”
www.ironman.com/im703-staffordshire
