Pro men registered for Ironman California invited to Ironman Florida

Earlier today we wondered if Ironman Florida would offer prize money for pro men – now we can confirm that the event will also include a pro men’s field. We can also confirm that Ironman 70.3 world champion Gustav Iden will make his full-distance debut at the event.

According to Ironman communications director Colby Gorniewicz “an invite went out to the professionals that were scheduled to race Ironman California yesterday but won’t be opened up further than that.”

Ironman is not anticipating that there will be a large pro men’s field in Florida, but confirmed that Iden was on his way to Panama City Beach to start preparing for the race, which is slated for Nov. 6, 2021. At this point we aren’t sure who else will be competing in Florida, but unless Jan Frodeno decides to compete at that event or another major event later this season, Iden will likely finish atop the Professional Triathletes Organisation’s world ranking.

Related: The race for the #1 PTO world ranking

If Frodeno decides not to compete in Florida one option might be Clash Daytona, previously Challenge Daytona. Last year Iden won the event, which served as the PTO 2020 Championship. That event might not have a strong enough field to give Frodeno enough points to move ahead in the ranking, though.

For now we’ll have to wait to see who plans on joining Iden in Panama City Beach.