Following the culmination of an inaugural year that saw its platform grow to over 126,000 members, the IRONMAN Virtual Club has kicked off 2021 with the IRONMAN VR You vs You campaign. This ‘encourages athletes to set their goals and chase their dreams with precision and purpose in 2021.’
Supporting this theme, participating athletes have access to IRONMAN U Certified Coach curated workouts, training resources, challenges, and virtual races. These are all designed to help them ‘train, compete, earn, and be rewarded as they set their goals towards a successful year of racing.’
‘You vs You’ celebrates IRONMAN’s mantra ‘Anything is Possible’ and draws inspiration from athletes of all levels and abilities as they accomplish their goals. The initiative encourages the global IRONMAN community to stay connected and hit the ground running in 2021 in preparation for a year of accomplishments.
Athletes can expect to see You vs You present throughout the IRONMAN social and digital media channels, across the IRONMAN VC platform and in the limited-edition IRONMAN VR merchandise.
“We are excited to offer athletes a prime opportunity to prepare and accomplish their goals this coming year through the IRONMAN Virtual Club platform,” said Earl Walton, Global Director of Training and Coaching for IRONMAN.
“We know our athletes are eager to get back to training and participate in racing both physical and virtually and believe the You vs You campaign will motivate athletes to set their goals early and get them across their finish lines, proving Anywhere Is Possible.
“We realize how important it is that our athletes are able to prepare with precision and purpose through the emerging connected fitness world and we are excited to bring athletes all the tools that the IRONMAN Virtual Club has to offer throughout that journey”
Kicking off the year
The IRONMAN Virtual Club has launched the first eight IRONMAN VR races of the season offering athletes the opportunity to prepare for the year ahead. In addition, athletes will have the opportunity to compete against their peers on the select virtual IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 racecourses powered by ROUVY, the event series’ Official Virtual Cycling partner.
| Date | Virtual Race | Format |
| Jan 4 – Jan 10 | IRONMAN VR1 | Bike 40 km |
| Jan 11 – Jan 17 | IRONMAN VR2 | Run 10 km |
| Jan 18 – Jan 24 | IRONMAN VR3 | Brick: Bike 20 km, Run 5 km |
| Jan 25 – Jan 31 | IRONMAN VR4 | Sprint Distance |
| Feb 1 – Feb 7 | IRONMAN VR5 | 5150 Olympic Distance |
| Feb 8 – Feb 14 | IRONMAN VR6 | Sprint Distance |
| Feb 15 – Feb 21 | IRONMAN VR7 | Half Distance |
| Feb 22 – Feb 28 | IRONMAN VR8 | Ride 40 km |
‘Athletes will also be able to commemorate their participation and celebrate their accomplishments during the first VR races of year with 2021 IRONMAN VR merchandise, medals and finishers bundles available only at the IRONMAN Store.’
Wrapping up the Holidays
Throughout the month of December, the IRONMAN VC platform offered a month-long challenge and a series of 21 daily workouts with ‘Tis the Season to TRI’. This was specifically designed to cap the first year of virtual racing while rewarding all its participants.
Athletes undertook two virtual month-long challenges, a 150km and 300km distance, both designed to give them the flexibility to complete the prescribed distance goals over the entirety of the holiday season on their own time.
By the numbers
- In total, over 11,000 participants participated in the two IRONMAN Tis the Season to TRI Challenges
- Over 1,100 athletes participated in the 21 daily workouts
- 4 athletes completed all 21 daily workouts and completed the 150km challenge
- Athletes represented all 50 US states and 123 countries, regions, and territories
- Over 2,200 IRONMAN TriClub members registered for the IRONMAN VR Tis the Season Challenges in December
IRONMAN VR World Tour All-Terrain Series
Beginning in March, the IRONMAN Virtual Club will pick up pace. The return of the IRONMAN VR World Tour will see a new All-Terrain Series format taking athletes on a tour of some of the best events in the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 race catalogue – ranging from beginner to intermediate to difficult virtual races. More information on the new IRONMAN VR World Tour: All-Terrain Series will follow in the coming months.
IRONMAN Foundation – IRONAID COVID-19 Support Fund
Last year, with the support of IRONMAN Foundation Ambassadors, TEAM IMF Athletes, and partners, the IRONMAN Foundation provided over US$675,000 in grant funding to more than 450 local, regional, national, and global non-profit initiatives throughout Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 race communities.
In 2021, the IRONMAN Foundation will continue its mission to create positive, tangible change in race communities around the world, despite the devastating impact of COVID-19. The fifth round of IRONAID COVID-19 Support Fund grants as well as the new 2021 IRONAID COVID-19 Support Fund grant program will be announced in late January 2021.
www.ironmanvirtualclub.com
www.ironmanfoundation.org
