WTC introduces Ironman 70.3 Raleigh

Today, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announces the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Raleigh triathlon as its newest event in the global IRONMAN 70.3 Series. The inaugural event is scheduled for Sun., June 2, 2013, and will be the first IRONMAN race in North Carolina.

“As we continue to expand the IRONMAN 70.3 series, we look for unique venues, compelling destinations and cooperative municipal partnerships,” said Steve Meckfessel, Managing Director of Global Race Operations for WTC. “Raleigh, with its gorgeous oak-lined streets, historic landmarks and enthusiasm for world-class sporting events, fits those criteria perfectly.  We’re excited to expand the IRONMAN 70.3 Series to the Carolinas and look forward to an incredible first-year event in 2013.”

The race will begin with a one-loop, 1.2-mile swim at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area with water temperatures expected in the low 80s.  After transitioning at Vista Point, athletes will bike through eastern Chatham County, southwest Wake County and the town of Holly Springs before ending the 56-mile ride at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.  Competitors will finish the race with a 13.1-mile, out-and-back run that highlights some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the State Capitol, Hillsborough Street, North Carolina State University and Meredith College campuses and the North Carolina Museum of Art.  The race will finish in front of the Raleigh Marriott City Center on Fayetteville Street downtown.

The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) will serve as host and official sponsor of the inaugural race.  Other local host partners include the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Raleigh Sports Council, the City of Raleigh, Wake County and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

“We are thrilled to help bring an IRONMAN 70.3 race to Raleigh, and in fact, the first-ever IRONMAN event to the Carolinas,” said Scott Dupree, Vice President for Sports Marketing for the GRCVB. “This is a real coup for our region. We always strive to bring first-class events and strong, proven brands to Raleigh.  IRONMAN is one of the most respected brands in sports, with an impressive track record of creating and managing highly-successful and well-run events worldwide. This represents a tremendous opportunity for Raleigh, as it will further strengthen our position as one of the top sports event destinations in the U.S.”

Dupree continued, “We look forward to welcoming athletes from around the world to North Carolina’s Capital City region, which is always beautiful in the spring. I think the athletes and their families will discover that Raleigh is not only a great place to compete, but a wonderful place to visit.”

IRONMAN 70.3 Raleigh will be a P-500 race with a $15,000 professional prize purse.  Additionally, the race will offer 40 age-group qualifying slots to the 2013 IRONMAN World Championship 70.3 at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev.

Registration for the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Raleigh will open on Wed., Aug. 31, at noon ET on www.IronmanRaleigh.com. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.