New Ironman 70.3 Taupo

Ironman Asia Pacific has taken over the Taupo Half triathlon in New Zealand, rebranding it as Ironman 70.3 Taupo in December 2015. The announcement coincides with the company’s decision not to extend its contract to stage Ironman 70.3 Auckland at the conclusion of the initial three-year term. The last running of Ironman 70.3 Auckland is scheduled for Sunday January 18, 2015.

The move will allow Ironman Asia Pacific to consolidate its operations and event partnerships in New Zealand’s biggest city to focus on its acquisition the ASB Auckland Marathon, having purchased the event earlier this year.

Ironman Asia Pacific Chief Executive Geoff Meyer notes that “Despite excellent support from the city of Auckland and fantastic athlete feedback, the event has been unable to attract athlete numbers needed to grow the event as hoped.”

The new Ironman 70.3 Taupo, which will be held annually in December, will complement the annual Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand also held in the tourist destination. The Taupo event will be the only New Zealand event with qualifying slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast in September 2016.

from press release