Ironman 70.3 Waco to replace Austin on 2018 calendar

Ironman announced today the addition of a new event in Texas, the Ironman 70.3 Waco triathlon. The event is set to take place on Sunday, October 28 with general registration opening December 5, 2017. This new event will take the place of Ironman 70.3 Austin on the 2018 calendar.

“We are excited to add Waco to our Ironman 70.3 race series and look forward to growing the event in this beautiful and historic Texas community,” said Scott Langen, Ironman Regional Director – Gulf Coast. “We are proud to offer this event in such a unique destination that is sure to provide athletes and their supporters a spectacular race experience.”

The Ironman 70.3 Waco triathlon will begin with a 1.2-mile swim through the Brazos River. The 56-mile single-loop bike course route will then take athletes through beautiful Central Texas rural roads, past the Waco Lake and through the Waco wetlands. The first 20 miles includes a gentle, gradual climb with a steady, fast descent returning to downtown Waco, making for a speedy and flat finish into the second transition. The 13.1-mile double-loop run course crosses over the Brazos River and the city’s beautiful and historic bridges a total of five times. Athletes will make their way through the “Gem of Waco,” Cameron Park, encountering a short climb before heading back to the river walk and crossing the Washington Street Bridge where they will begin their second loop. After a final run over the bridge, athletes will then travel along the river trail to a finish line like none other on the oldest suspension bridge in the Southwest.

“We have a beautiful river, excellent roads, and one of the largest and best city parks in the nation,” said Kyle Deaver, Mayor of Waco. “Our charming city has a sincerely warm and welcoming personality that the Ironman athletes across the country will fall in love with.”

“An Ironman 70.3 triathlon is exactly the kind of event we want in Waco,” said Dillon Meek, City Councilman. “Will Phipps and The Sports Commission’s strategic approach to recruiting this world class event to Waco will result in our city being showcased to thousands of competitors and their families.”

“We are thankful to be partnering with a world class organization like Ironman and this race is a perfect fit for the natural venue that we have to offer in the Brazos River,” said Will Phipps, Exec Director of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. “This will be one of Waco’s premier annual events”

The inaugural Ironman 70.3 Waco event will offer 30 slots to the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship taking place on September 8 and 9 in Nice, France as well as a professional prize purse of USD $25,000.