The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, has been announced as the new host city for IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship for 2023 and 2024. Tallinn will take over from Elsinore, Denmark, which has hosted the IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship since 2017.
Next year, the IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship Tallinn will take place on August 6, 2023. The full distance IRONMAN Tallinn will take place the day before on August 5, 2023.
Ain-Alar Juhanson, IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn Race Director, said “We are so excited to be named as the host city for the IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship in 2023 and 2024.
“Our race has grown in popularity amongst a local and international audience, with this year over 60% of athletes travelling from further afield to race in Estonia. We’ve also been pleased to welcome some of Europe’s top pros over the years – from Sebastian Kienle, Daniel Bækkegård, and Kat Matthews, helping to put Tallinn on the map as international destination for IRONMAN racing.
“This is a unique experience for athletes to race in capital city and experience everything Tallinn has to offer.”
Estonia has hosted the IRONMAN 70.3 race since 2016, with the inaugural race taking place in Otepää, in the south of the country. In 2018, the full distance IRONMAN was also introduced; and in 2022, both races moved to Tallinn, creating a festival weekend of racing in the capital city. In 2020, Tallinn was the first city to host an IRONMAN event following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fast flat course begins at Lake Harku, where athletes will enjoy a 1.9km one loop open water swim. The bike course will then take athletes through the city and countryside to the southern villages, and back to Tallinn where transition two will await at Seaplane Harbour.
Athletes will then take on a 21km two-lap run course through the historic old town of Tallinn, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, finishing where they started along the bay.
“With international transport links, a city rich in culture and history, as well as a growing athlete base, Tallinn is the perfect host venue for the IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship,” said Declan Byrne, Vice President of Operations for Europe, Middle East & Africa at The IRONMAN Group.
“The race has gone from success to success over the years, and has proved to be an athlete favourite on the European race circuit. We’re excited for athletes to experience the electric atmosphere that comes with racing in a capital city, and want to thank the city of Tallinn, Ain-Alar Juhanson and the local organizing team, for their continued support and efforts in producing a memorable race experience year on year.”
The IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship Tallinn will offer qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Taupo, New Zealand.
