Ironman China Relocates, Sells Out

Online, April 16, 2011 (Newswire.com) - For the first time in the event's short history, Ironman China and Ironman 70.3 China have sold out all international and regional entries for the May 29 event. At least 900 competitors, including over 100 Mainland Chinese, are signed up and preparing for a unique Ironman adventure in China in just over two months' time. While entries for Mainland Chinese remain open, the current sign-up already far exceeds the number of Chinese that raced in any of the event's previous editions held on Hainan Island.

This year's venue also promises much cooler temperatures than in past years, where the race quickly made a name for itself as one of the hottest Ironman races around. This year's new May date will take advantage of the brilliant late spring climate in Northern China, with expected maximum temperatures approaching 28C/82F. The wetsuit-legal swim will occur in the clean and controlled Yu Bridge Reservoir, and the two-loop bike course will take athletes around the reservoir on an undulating, not-too-hilly jaunt.

Jixian, also the host city to The Great Wall Marathon each year in early May, is located an easy 50-minute drive from Beijing. This new venue promises accessible sightseeing, such as the Great Wall, which is only a 25-minute drive from the race site.

"This is what people picture when they picture old China," said Murphy Reinschreiber, Managing Director for Ironman Asia-Pacific. He said the area features old villages and possesses rural charm you don't see in the more modern cities.

Japanese competitors make up the biggest group traveling from abroad with 154 heading to Jixian in May. Singapore competitors making up the next largest contingent at 72, and Australia will send 63 starters north of the equator for the spring event. Hong Kong, the Philippines, and the United States are all strongly represented as well, building on the strong international flavor of the China event.

"In a few years we hope to look back to the 2011 race as the beginning of an Ironman boom in China," said Reinschreiber. "We are pleased by the response to the venue and later race date and by the increase in the number of Mainland Chinese entries. Jixian, Tianjin is easily accessible to China's growing fitness and endurance participant base."

For those registered for Ironman China and Ironman 70.3 China, hotel and transport information is now available online at the event website. Further information related to the event will be emailed out in the coming weeks.

Ironman China features 50 qualifying slots to the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship, held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on Saturday, October 8. Twenty-five qualifying slots are on offer in the Ironman 70.3 China event for the 2011 Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Lake Las Vegas, NV on Sunday, September 11. The race is also a qualifier for the 2011 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, held in Laguna Phuket, Thailand on Sunday, December 4.

For more information on the Ironman China and Ironman 70.3 China, please visit www.IronmanChina.com or email China@ironman.com.