Scheduled to be held on June 4th, 2023, the IronWinD half distance triathlon in Azerbaijan is getting set for its second edition this year.
The event takes place at Nerekend Park (Nərəkənd İstirahət Mərkəzi) on Pirallahi Island, an island in the Caspian Sea. This is 40km from Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region.
Despite the fact that the Baku region is known for its strong winds, the IronWinD swim course takes place in a sheltered bay for calmer water conditions. The challenging bike course may be windy, but is fast-paced along long avenues, which are closed to traffic during the event.
Rufat Hasanov, IronWinD Race Director, said “As organizers, we have taken care of an attractive offer for accommodation in a partner hotel, free transfer for participants, event merchandise and other components of the event that you will remember in magnificent Azerbaijan.
“We invite athletes to visit and feel what French writer Alexandre Dumas wrote about Azerbaijani hospitality and of the Caucasus peoples. Extend your stay in Baku and enjoy everything a warm spring time in Azerbaijan can offer.”
Hasanov continued, “Azerbaijanis consider it a duty to show infinite respect for a guest. The guest is sacred in Azerbaijan and the tradition of respect is taken very seriously. We hope IronWinD will itself inspire people to visit the ‘Land of Fire’ and show that Azerbaijan is developing strong in terms of triathlon.”
The cost of participation in the individual middle distance competition is 180 AZN – Azerbaijan Manats (equivalent to US$105). A relay race entry is priced at 285 AZN (equivalent US$168).
Winners in the absolute men’s and women’s standings will receive cash prizes (1st place – 2,000 AZN, 2nd place – 1000 AZN and 3rd place – 500 AZN) and gifts from the event sponsors.
IronWinD is organised by Triterra Baku Triathlon Club. The event is served by Heydar Aliyev International Airport, which the organisers add is certified as a 5-Star Regional Airport for facilities, shopping, food & beverages and staff service.
A release from the organising team added… ‘Having long been overlooked by visitors, Azerbaijan’s new easy visas, excellent hospitality service and close-packed range of beautiful landscapes are starting to attract significant flows of tourists, though as yet few of them from Western countries.’
