Ironman expands in China with addition of Ironman 70.3 Hefei

After Ironman was sold to China-based Wanda Corporation last year we’ve all been expecting the expansion of the Ironman series to China. Today the company announced the second new race in China, Ironman 70.3 Hefei.

Announced in late 2015, Ironman 70.3 Xiamen  is set to take place on November 6th this year. Ironman 70.3 Hefei will take place just a month earlier on October 16th in the Anhui Province of Hefei in central-eastern China. Hefei is a great tourist destination with a vibrant entertainment scene and stunning scenery with hot springs, forests and water caves. The course information for both Ironman 70.3 Hefei and Ironman 70.3 Xiamen is yet to be announced.

Ironman 70.3 Hefei will not only offer 50 age-group qualifying slots for the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship taking place in Chattanooga, Tennessee but will also have 15 Kona slots up for grabs for the 2017 Ironman Championships. This is unusual for a 70.3 event, with many of the last few to have such an option eliminate it in recent years (such as North American races Ironman 70.3 St Croix and Ironman 70.3 Eagleman). This is sure to draw triathletes from the greater Asia-Pacific region to the race and help boost the international profile of the sport.

Registration will open on February 2, 2016 at www.ironman.com/hefei70.3.