The organisers of the first-ever IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania have launched the course for the February 5, 2023 event – with the new race based in the heart of Hobart, the capital of Australia’s island state of Tasmania.
More than 1,000 athletes from across Australia and around the world are expected to descend on Tasmania (lutruwita) next February, bringing IRONMAN 70.3 racing to the region for the first time.
Athletes will take on a 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run, before finishing on the IRONMAN 70.3 red carpet on the Princes Wharf No1 (PW1) forecourt.
Carl Smith, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group Oceania, said “Over recent months our team has worked in close consultation and collaboration with stakeholders and councils to create a course that will provide an exceptional racing experience and show off the region to the more than 1,000 athletes who will be joining us next February.
“The support we’ve received from all involved in this process has been incredible and it’s allowed us to develop a special course that will show off the highlights of the region and provide great opportunities for the local community to be involved.”
He continued, “IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania will be a race experience to remember for those who live along the course, athletes and their supporters. It’s set to be the southernmost IRONMAN 70.3 event in the world.
“It will include the first indoor transition in the region at PW1, and will provide great opportunities for spectators to get close to the action and experience what IRONMAN 70.3 racing is all about.”
The 1.9km swim takes place in the River Derwent. Athletes will experience a unique start, by taking a dive off the back of Brooke Street Pier, Australia’s largest floating pontoon. The swim course runs parallel to PW1, bringing spectators as close as possible to swimmers.
IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania takes the title as having the most bike course elevation on the IRONMAN 70.3 Oceania circuit, meaning that athletes will want to include plenty of climbing in their training before they race in Tasmania.
The 90km bike course includes plenty of variation to keep athletes focused, along with scenic views. From Battery Point, riders will head through the historic port of Hobart. The course heads north towards Queens Domain and Cornelian Bay, with technical elements through the residential streets of Lutana, Derwent Park, and Goodwood.
From Goodwood Road, riders will turn left to complete the Derwent Entertainment Centre/MyState Bank Arena loop to mark the start of two 34km laps.
From here the course will cross the River Derwent using the Bowen bridge and continue north along East Derwent Highway, with views of Mount Wellington as they ride alongside the River Derwent.
Riders should get familiar with Otago Hill, as they’ll conquer it four times within the two laps. After completing the second lap, the course heads south again back through the technical section of Lutana, Goodwood and Cornelian Bay.
There’s a quick extension section along the water’s edge of Domain Highway before returning to transition (T2) at PW1.
After all the that climbing, athletes can look forward to a flat and fast two-lap run course on one of the most popular running routes in Hobart.
Exiting PW1, the run course heads south along Castray Esplanade, turning around at Battery Point by the water’s edge. From there, the course hugs the water’s edge heading north, through Franklin Wharf and Constitution Dock, before passing the Hobart Regatta Grounds and Hobart Cenotaph along the Intercity Cycleway, with the northern turnaround point 1km past the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
Athletes return the way they came before their second lap, with the IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania finish line on the PW1 forecourt.
IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.
www.ironman.com/im703-tasmania
