Ironman Triathlon to debut in NYC
Ironman participants get ready for the 3.8 km swim portion of the event. — AFP-Relaxnews picNEW YORK, July 30 — On August 11, the US Ironman Triathlon is taking place for the first time in New York City, bringing some 2,500 athletes from around the globe to swim the Hudson River and bike and run across the Big Apple.
When registration opened in June, the race reportedly sold out in 11 minutes – proof that New York City is a “hotbed of triathlon,” according to organiser John Korff in a press release.
The race kicks off with a timed 3.8 km swim toward the George Washington Bridge. The athletes then hop onto their bikes for 180.25 km of scenic loops on the Palisades Parkway, before finishing with a 42.2 km run. Both male and female winners pocket US$100,000 (RM300,000) prize each.
Coming up August 15 is France's brutal Embrunman, one of the toughest Ironman races in the world, thanks to its 5,000 meter elevation gain through the Alps. Other upcoming Ironman races include Ironman Sweden in Kalmar (August 18); Ironman Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Canada (August 19); and Ironman Wisconsin in Madison, US (September 9).
The popular half-Ironman races Ironman 70.3 – which consists of a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run – are happening in Boulder, Colorado, US (August 5); Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis, Germany (August 12); Gilford, New Hampshire, US (August 19); and Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia (August 19). — AFP-Relaxnews
