Another new IRONMAN 70.3 event for Europe
The popularity of the IRONMAN 70.3 format continues, with the announcement today of another European event – IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland in the Netherlands.
Given the relative ease of travel from the UK – whether by air or ferry / driving – and the volumes with which British triathletes consistently travel abroad to races, this could be another event many of our readers will be interested in.
Here is the full announcement from IRONMAN.
THE NETHERLANDS TO HOST NEW IRONMAN 70.3 WESTFRIESLAND IN 2020
Inaugural event to be held on June 28, 2020. Latest addition to the IRONMAN 70.3 series builds on success of the existing Multisport Festival Westfriesland
IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holdings company, today announced that the region of Westfriesland in The Netherlands will host Europe’s latest addition to the global IRONMAN® 70.3® series.
The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland – the Netherlands will take place on June 28, 2020. “We are excited to see IRONMAN 70.3 history being written in the Netherlands,” said Stefan Petschnig, Managing Director of IRONMAN Europe, Middle East and Africa. “After a successful Multisport Festival Westfriesland we are ready to take the next step by bringing an IRONMAN 70.3 event to Hoorn and the region.”
Westfriesland is located in the Northwest of the Netherlands in the province of North Holland. Hoorn, the city where IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland – the Netherlands starts and finishes, is conveniently located only 45 minutes away from Amsterdam, the country’s capital and economic hub.
With Amsterdam Schiphol, Europe’s third largest airport, close by, international visitors will enjoy worldwide connections to the starting line. Athletes will start their race day with a 1.9 km (1.2-mile) swim in the “Het Markemeer” lake. The swim start is located near the theater of Hoorn. After Transition 1 participants will experience the stunning natural beauty of Westfriesland, and a 90 km (56-mile) bike course that is lined with typical Dutch windmills and picturesque small towns.
Not surprisingly for the Netherlands, the bike course will be flat and fast. Finally, athletes will run 21.1 km (13.1 miles) on a fast and compact course through the city center of Hoorn where they finish their race on “De Roode Steen” or “Kaasmarkt” (cheese market), a square in the center of Hoorn where five streets meet.
“In 2019 we introduced short-course racing to the Westfriesland region and the feedback has been nothing but fantastic. Now we are looking forward to seeing the region embrace the unique spirit of an IRONMAN 70.3 race,” said Rob Frambach, Race Director for IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland – the Netherlands.
“This is great news for the region,” said Alderman Ben Tap. “IRONMAN is a strong brand that fits our region and brings touristic and economic value to our businesses. As a region we are focusing on promoting sports. IRONMAN offers great opportunities to age-group and professional athletes.”
The 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland – the Netherlands will offer 40 coveted age-group qualifying slots to the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupō, New Zealand.
General registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland – the Netherlands will open on August 13 (4 pm CET), 2019 at www.ironman.com/westfriesland70.3. Athlete inquiries may be directed to westfriesland70.3@ironman.com.
Are we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
