Search
shop

Heading to China: IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou 2018

Ever considered racing in China? TRI247's Paul Shanley will be expending his horizons next month, when he heads off to race IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou...
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

When the news was announced that Dalian Wanda Group had purchased IRONMAN in 2015, I remember reading an interesting article on Slowtwitch titled a New Sheriff in Irontown, in which Dan Empfield interviewed Dalian VP Jack Gao about the future plans for IRONMAN and in particular the growth of IRONMAN in China.

In the interview Jack stated that tourism in China is “booming incredibly, domestically and internationally”. The future was tourists coming and doing something rather than just taking a picture. I can remember thinking that I would like to visit China, but it is not somewhere I would necessarily go for a family holiday, so the seed was planted to visit China for an event.

Fast forward to late 2017 and a chance conversation with Matt Ryley from Upgrade Bikes who was looking to race IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou, China and said, “Why don’t you join me?” After a quick look at the website, I was in.

A lush, mountain paradise welcomes triathletes from around the world…

You could argue this is a work trip and as always I will be trying to do some work in and around the event, but this is also my opportunity to do the sport I love and discover a new country. I have been doing as much research on the area and country as I am doing on the event itself, and I am genuinely excited to go and experience China. Everything I have read so far is that China does tourism really well. There certainly seem to be plenty of well priced, picturesque hotels in and around Liuzhou and plenty to do and see whilst there.

So why not come and join me?** The race looks pretty special and potentially pretty fast judging by Tim Don’s #DirtyFast performance while winning the race last year.

Race day is on Saturday 14th April 2018 and you can full details from the IRONMAN website HERE.

(** If you are in the Male Age-Group 50 to 54 and good at triathlon, you are not invited. Matt from Upgrade doesn’t want any competition so please enter another race…!)

The Swim Course

IRONMAN Liuzhou

IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou will begin with a swim in the Liu River, cutting right through the center of the city. Spectators will have the unique opportunity to watch the swim from the elevated banks of the river and nearby bridge. Athletes will exit the water to transition next to beautiful Broom Hill Park.

IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou

The Bike Course

IRONMAN Liuzhou

The bike course takes riders north out of the city following the river for 35 kilometers before crossing west though the city to begin the second loop. Athletes can expect incredible views as they parallel the Liu River on this rolling course with smooth, clean road surfaces.

IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou

The Run Course

IRONMAN Liuzhou

The two loops of the run course offer athletes a chance to see the scenes of the city as they complete two loops through downtown Liuzhou, along both banks of the Liu River. The final stretch will bring competitors down the Wenchang Building Complex with the Liuzhou cityscape providing the backdrop to the finish.

IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou

Written by
Paul Shanley
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
Alistair Brownlee - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee completes iconic Gralloch race in latest gravel test
Jeanne Lehair Beth Potter WTCS Yokohama 2025
From Olympic heartbreak to joy of first WTCS win as emotions flow for Jeanne Lehair
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...