Geelong will host more than 1000 triathletes on 10th February 2008 as they converge on the Victorian bay side city to complete in the Geelong World Ironman 70.3 series.
The event which is managed by 'Ironman Corporation' will start at 7am with a 1.9km swim leg from, and returning to Geelong's Eastern Beach from where triathletes will collect their bikes and head out of town on the 90km ride via Portarlington Road to Hermsley Road. Finally, contestants will need to complete the 21.1 km run returning to Eastern Park overlooking the picturesque Corio Bay. In total contestants will need to complete 113 kms (70.3 miles) to finish the course with the first 75 across the line qualifying for the Ford Ironman 70.3 mile event to be staged in Clearwater, Florida, USA during November 2008, which in turn is a qualifying event for the elite and world famous Hawaii Ironman.
The Geelong World Ironman 70.3 event will include representatives from around the world including countries such as Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the USA.
Australia will be well represented with past championship leader Chris Legh in he men's event competing against the likes of Luke Bell and Mitch Anderson from Victoria and international athletes Courtney Ogden, David Dellow and Craig McKenzie
The women's event is expected to be closely contested with many well regarded competitors including the current women's ironman champion Rebekah Keat; Kate Major who finished third in this years gruelling Hawaii Ironman; Rina Hill winner of the Gold Coast Ironman and other well regarded triathletes including Belinda Harrison, Charlotte Paul, Mirinda Carfrae and Geelong's own Jo King in the women's. King recently won the Tasmanian Half Ironman and is focused on rebuilding her ironman career after a three month break.
A maximum limit of 1200 competitors has been introduced for the Geelong Ironman 70.3 event. Geelong is located just 75kms from Melbourne and is well serviced by trains, buses and airflights with a variety of excellent
available during the event.
