Ahead of the inaugural IRONMAN and 70.3 Weymouth races on Sunday 11 September 2016, IRONMAN has confirmed the bike course for one of the most recent event additions to the 2016 IRONMAN European Tour.
The event will also mark the first time both an IRONMAN and an IRONMAN 70.3 race are held on the same day in Europe.
Starting and finishing from transition in the heart of Weymouth, the bike course will aim to showcase the best of Dorset across either a 112 mile (IRONMAN) two lap route or a 56 mile (70.3) single lap. This one or two lap anti-clockwise route ‘promises to provide both speed, hills and beauty across rolling countryside and some charming villages.’
Comprising just over 1,880m of elevation over the 2 laps, the 2,500 athletes should relish the spectator support to spur them on as they make their way from Weymouth via Osmington and through the picturesque villages of Puddletown, Piddlehinton and Cerne Abbas.
The IRONMAN UK & Ireland team notes that changes have seen the removal of some of the smaller roads to offer a safer route for the larger number of participants anticipated. There will also be a new loop north of Dorchester, replicating some of the original IRONMAN Sherborne course in 2006.
Full details including an interactive bike map are available online for IRONMAN Weymouth or IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth.
Kevin Stewart, MD UK & Ireland said “We have been working in conjunction with Dorset County Council to offer our athletes not only the best course possible but also with the primary aim of their safety. Weymouth and the County of Dorset provide the perfect setting to stage the event across all three disciplines and we are excited to be hosting it for the first time later this year.
Cllr Peter Finney, Dorset County Council’s Cabinet member for environment said “The bike course will showcase Weymouth and Dorset’s impressive town and scenery to thousands of athletes, spectators and IRONMAN fans watching across the globe. We are thrilled this IRONMAN event will be staged in our county and it gives us a great opportunity to further cement our reputation as a first class sporting destination.”
IRONMAN and 70.3 Weymouth will commence with a 2.4 mile (IRONMAN) or 1 lap 1.2 mile (70.3) swim in Weymouth Bay. This will be a rolling start swim, as is now implemented across all UK events, to reduce congestion. All athletes will exit the water after the first 1.2 mile lap, with IRONMAN athletes re-entering for a second lap. Once the athletes have completed the bike course, the race concludes with either a 26.2 mile (IRONMAN) or 13.1 mile (70.3) run, comprising a 2 or 4 lap course respectively.
This multi-lap run will take the athletes around the town, harbour and the sea front. Lined with over 40 cafes, restaurants and bars, it offers spectator viewing and should make for an electric atmosphere to spur the athletes along to the finish line right up to the 8.5 hours (70.3) or 17 hours cut off time.
Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Head of Economy, Leisure and Tourism, Nick Thornley, added “We are really excited to be hosting such a renowned event in the borough. We will be working with the organisers to involve people, communities and businesses along the route to make sure the race becomes an annual highlight on their calendar.”
IRONMAN Weymouth will have 30 qualifying slots to the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i.
IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth will have 30 qualifying slots to the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. Professional athletes will compete for a total prize purse of US$15,000 with the race offering P-500 KPR points as well.
www.ironman.com/weymouth
www.ironman.com/weymouth70.3
