Last race on the 2011 Ironman calendar

The registration of 1,415 individual athletes, plus professional athletes, makes it the largest field ever to compete at the Ironman 70.3 Canberra and the race becomes the largest ever in Australia. The sold-out status of Ironman 70.3 Canberra sets another milestone for Australian Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events with Ironman 70.3 Shepparton, Ironman Western Australia, Ironman Australia and the Ironman Asia Pacific Championship all selling out almost immediately upon the opening of registrations.

“We are experiencing a period of incredible growth in our sport in this country,” said Shane Smith, Ironman Australia’s General Manager. “Whether it is an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event, everyone at Ironman is driven to constantly evolve our events and provide a heightened experience for athletes.

“We are thrilled with the response to these efforts from the Ironman community and sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm among established and budding participants who are entering our events in record numbers,” Smith continued. “We wish everyone who has entered Ironman 70.3 Canberra a safe and successful preparation and a fantastic race day.”

Graeme Hannan, Race Director of X-Tri events, organizers of Ironman 70.3 Canberra, said the 2011 edition will be the most significant in the event’s history.

“In addition to a record age-group field, we have attracted the biggest international field ever with over fifteen countries represented,” said Mr. Hannan.

“Our professional field is the strongest ever with multiple Ironman and Ironman 70.3 winners including Ollie Whistler, Michelle Wu, Lisa Marangon and Jason Shortis vying for the respective men’s and women’s professional titles.”

The sell-out of Ironman 70.3 Canberra 2011 means the only remaining opportunity for athletes to race an Ironman 70.3 event in Australia before the end of 2011 is the Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie event, which doubles as the Ironman 70.3 Australian Age Group Championship. Limited entries remain for this event, which is held in Port Macquarie, NSW on Sunday November 6, 2011.

X-Tri will however shortly open entry to their second Australia Ironman 70.3 event, the Capricorn Resort Ironman 70.3 Yeppoon to be held on Augst 19th 2012

Ironman 70.3 Canberra takes place on Sunday December 11, 2011 with the main race precinct located in Commonwealth Park, Canberra. Ironman 70.3 Canberra is an official qualifier for the Marine Corps Ironman World Championship 70.3, held annually in Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada, USA.

Athletes racing at Ironman 70.3 Canberra will compete for a professional prize purse of US $15,000 and 25 age group qualifying spots to the 2012 Ironman World Championship 70.3. More information about the event is available at www.ironmancanberra.com