IRONMAN has announced a second 70.3 race in India, taking its global series to Amdavad in Gujarat – but questions over the proposed river swim have already prompted an official statement from the organisers.

The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Amdavad is scheduled for February 14, 2027, with a predominantly flat course featuring a 1.9km swim in the Sabarmati River, starting and finishing beneath the city’s Atal Bridge.

India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Amdavad offers athletes and supporters the opportunity to experience iconic attractions including the historic walled city, centuries-old stepwells, and the Sabarmati Ashram.

The expansion provides another opportunity for India’s growing triathlon community, building on the established IRONMAN 70.3 Goa event and bringing a race to a different region of the country.

But alongside the launch celebrations, organisers have acknowledged concerns about the river’s condition and promised monitoring and further safeguards ahead of race day.

Organisers respond to swim questions

In a statement published around the launch, the local event organisers said: “There have been some questions regarding the condition of the Sabarmati River ahead of the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Amdavad in February 2027.

“Athlete safety is our highest priority and the event team is working closely with the Government of Gujarat, and relevant authorities, on a range of measures to support a safe and high-quality race experience, with ongoing monitoring and additional safeguarding measures planned in the lead-up to the event.”

They added: “Preparations remain ongoing, and we will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the swim course meets the requirements for race day. The team is committed to keeping the athlete community informed and will share further updates as preparations progress.”

A familiar issue for triathlon

Water quality has become a prominent issue for the sport, most visibly at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where conditions in the River Seine forced the men’s triathlon to be postponed by a day.

The Olympic races ultimately went ahead with their swim legs, but the uncertainty underlined the challenges of staging major events in urban waterways.

More recently, this year’s IRONMAN Leeds went ahead without its swim after testing showed excessive blue-green algae levels in Waterloo Lake.

A second Indian race

The new event is nevertheless a significant addition to India’s triathlon calendar, with IRONMAN pointing to growing participation and interest in endurance sport.

Michelle Pepper, IRONMAN’s Managing Director for Asia-Pacific, said: “We can’t wait to welcome athletes to the first-ever IRONMAN 70.3 Amdavad triathlon next February.

“We have witnessed growth in participation and interest in endurance sports across India, and we are excited to build on that momentum with a world-class event in Gujarat. Amdavad combines rich cultural heritage with outstanding infrastructure and will provide an unforgettable experience for athletes, supporters and visitors alike.”

Deepak Raj, CEO and co-founder of Yoska, which delivers IRONMAN events in India, also welcomed the expansion.

“IRONMAN triathlon in India continues to grow, and we are excited to announce a second race with the launch of the IRONMAN 70.3 Amdavad triathlon,” he said.

“With strong support from the Government of Gujarat, my team and I look forward to welcoming the IRONMAN triathlon community from India and around the world to this vibrant state.”

The launch forms part of Gujarat Tourism Year 2026-27, with organisers hoping the race will attract athletes and supporters to explore the city and wider region.

What does the proposed course look like?

The race is scheduled for Amdavad’s cooler, drier season, with the proposed route centred on the Sabarmati Riverfront.

After the 1.9km river swim beneath Atal Bridge, athletes will tackle a 90km bike course comprising three 30km loops through city roads, predominantly following the riverfront with gentle ascents and descents.

The flat 21.1km run will feature three loops along the riverfront promenade before crossing Atal Bridge and finishing in the event precinct.

Organisers believe the course will appeal both to newcomers to the distance and experienced athletes targeting personal bests.

Entries opened on October 14, with further information on the swim preparations promised as the inaugural race approaches.