1,500 competitors from more than 60 countries are expected to compete in the Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand on 26 November 2017. In addition, up to 300 youngsters are expected to race in the Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand on 25 November 2017.
Built on the belief that Anything is Possible, IRONMAN – the original triathlon brand – was founded in 1978 and today stages over 150 IRONMAN events in more than 50 countries each year including the annual IRONMAN World Championship (3.8km swim/ 180km bike/ 42km run) and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship (1.9km swim/ 90km bike/ 21km run).
Mr. Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, President of Sunrise Events Inc. and rights holder for IRONMAN in South East Asia, said,
Phuket is one of Asia’s top island destinations and an iconic triathlon venue with a pedigree stretching back more than 20 years. We are very excited to again be working with Phuket to host the Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand 2017, a race that has already earned a reputation as being one of the toughest and most beautiful courses on the IRONMAN 70.3 calendar.
Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand
The Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand starts with a one-loop 1.9km swim in the pristine waters off Bang Tao Beach, followed by a 90km bike traversing the island’s northern hills and coastline, and finishes with a 21km two-loop run through the Cherng Talay area. Aside from its well-known beauty, the course is also challenging and will push Individual and Team Relay participants to their limits.
The race is scheduled to start at 6:20 a.m. for elite athletes. Meanwhile, the rolling gun start for the rest of participants will commence from 6:30 a.m. onwards.
The entry fees for individual participant are US$351 (from now till 22 October 2017) and US$426.60 (from 23 October 2017 onwards). For Team Relay, the entry fees are US$426.60 (from now till 22 October 2017) and US$459 (from 23 October 2017 onwards). Entries will close on 5 November 2017 if the maximum number of participants is not reached earlier.
Mr. Uytengsu added, “Entries are already strong and the international Pros are confirming their attendance. While competing in an IRONMAN 70.3 is no easy feat, we are seeing more Thai age-groupers registering this year and we’re very excited to help grow the sport in Thailand.”
Former regional champions and International Pros will compete for a US$15,000 (approx. 500,000THB) prize purse. There will be thirty age-group qualifying slots available for the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in South Africa that will attract many of Asia’s top age-groupers.
Early sign-ups include Thailand’s top male triathlete and first to compete at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona (2011), Jaray Jearani, as well as the most IRONMAN-decorated Thai female triathlete and first Thai female to compete in Kona (2014), Nampetch Porntharukcharoen.
Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand @ Thanyapura
The Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand is also taking place for the second year at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort on Saturday 25 November 2017, one day before Foremost IRONMAN 70.3. The race is welcoming up to 300 kids from 6-14 years old.
The race categories for Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand are as follow.
Individual
- 6-8 years: 100m/3km/1km
- 9-10 years: 200m/6km/1.5km
- 11-12 years: 300m/9km/2km
- 13-14 years: 400m/12km/3km
Team Relay
- 6-10 years:100m/3km/1km
- 11-14 years: 200m/6km/1.5km
The entry fees for individual participant are THB 700 / US$20 per individual. For Team Relay, the entry fees are THB 800 / US$50 per team. Entries will close on 5 November 2017 if the maximum number of participants are not reached earlier.
Ms. Pimjan Vimuktanonda, Marketing Director of FrieslandCampina Thailand, the producer and distributor of Foremost dairy products, said,
Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand is a junior triathlon race for children 6 to 14 years old with the aim of promoting active lifestyles among children. It gives them the opportunity to test the limits of their physical and mental stamina and experience this challenging sport. Preparing oneself for triathlon calls for continuous training and good choice of food to ensure optimized diets for the body’s needs while also building strength for the competition. Foremost has, therefore, prepared our chocolate flavoured milk to give away to participating triathletes of Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand and Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand 2017 to help energizing them throughout the race because a key to athletic excellence is to keep one’s body fit and active.
Sunrise Sprint (S2)
The Sunrise Sprint is a short distance triathlon which comprises 750m swim/ 20km bike/ 5km run to encourage new triathletes a taste of triathlon. The S2 will also take place at Angsana Laguna Phuket. The race is scheduled to be flagged off at 8:00 a.m. The entry fee for Individual is US$75.
Mr. Uytengsu concluded,
For a triathlete, IRONMAN is the peak of the sport. Completing an IRONMAN event is something all triathletes want to do and once you have, it is something you will be proud of for the rest of your life. We aim to make Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand a bucket list event for triathletes all over the world and with the edition of the new Sunrise Sprint this year we aim to make the sport more accessible for people of all abilities.
Registration for Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand 2017 and Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand 2017 @ Thanyapura is open now.
