Valencia, Spain To Join The IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon Circuit Beginning In April 2024

September 29, 2023

• Inaugural edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia triathlon to take place on April 21, 2024 with general registration opening on October 5, 2023 at www.ironman.com/im703-valencia
• Qualifying slots for the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Taupō New Zealand will be available

– First time ever that a triathlon operated by The IRONMAN Group will be held in Valencia, becoming the sixth Spanish host city in the series

VALENCIA, Spain/ LONDON, UK / TAMPA, Fla. (September, 2023)/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – IRONMAN announced today its newest race location in Spain with the launch of the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Valencia triathlon, taking place next year on 21 April 2024, with general registration opening on October 5, 2023 at www.ironman.com/im703-valencia.

With a finish line alongside the iconic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (“City of Arts and Sciences”), the IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia triathlon will be a true city race that will enable athletes to soak up everything Valencia has to offer. Starting with a sea swim in the Valencia Marina, a bike course through Serra de la Calderona – a stunning mountain range just 20km from the centre of Valencia – and finally a run along the beautiful Túria River path, this race is a fusion of iconic city views and lush green nature.

The Councillor for Sports of the City of Valencia, Rocio Gil, said “With this announcement we take another step to position our city as a sports reference point at an international level. And we do it hand in hand with one of the best known and most recognized brands in the sports world, IRONMAN, whom I want to thank for their commitment and interest in landing in our city. With the arrival of this event to the city’s sports calendar for the next three years, it is demonstrated the enormous attraction that Valencia has for organizers, participants and the sports public, demonstrating our organizational capacity and putting in value our infrastructure, tourism, gastronomy and leisure”.

As part of this new addition to the Spanish racing calendar, the IRONMAN 70.3 Marbella triathlon, which traditionally takes place in May, will now take place on October 27, 2024, with registration opening in October.

Course Description:

ROKA Swim Course

Athletes will complete a 1.9 km (1.2-mile) loop in the Marina de Valencia. With sheltered waters, estimated water temperatures between 16ºC and 18ºC, and great spectator hotspots, athletes should expect to enjoy a smooth and enjoyable swim.

FulGaz™ Bike Course:

The single loop FulGaz bike course offers a mix of flat stretches and challenging terrains as athletes ride from T1, located by the picturesque harbour at Marina de Valencia towards Sierra Calderona and back to Ciudad de las Artes where T2 awaits. This combination of speed-inducing sections and tougher segments adds excitement and variety to the race, testing participants’ cycling abilities over 90km (56 miles) with 700 meters of elevation gain.

HOKA Run Course:

The 21.1 km (13.1-mile) run follows a two-lap course with 225m of elevation spread out along the route. Starting from T2 at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, athletes will run along the beautiful Túria River path and through Túria Gardens, one of the largest urban parks in Spain. After completing the second lap, athletes will pass the architectural marvels which are part of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, such as the Hemisfèric and Oceanogràfic, as they run down one of the most picture-perfect finish line back drops in Europe.

Thomas Veje Olsen, Managing Director of The IRONMAN Group in Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “We are delighted to add Valencia to our IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon family. We have long had our eyes on this city as an ideal host for one of our events, and thanks to the City of Valencia, Valencia City Council, and the Department of Sports and Tourism, combined with the growing interest of triathlon in Spain we have finally made it happen. We very much look forward to welcoming local and international athletes alike to what promises to be an exciting inaugural edition of the race in April.”

Located on the eastern coast of Spain, Valencia is the third biggest city in Spain. With its stunning Mediterranean beaches that beckon for relaxation, and iconic Turia Gardens which offer a lush oasis for leisurely strolls and picnics, Valencia is a popular destination with locals and tourists alike. Beyond its natural beauty, Valencia boasts a rich tapestry of architectural marvels, from the intricate details of the Cathedral de Valencia to the futuristic wonder of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (“City of Arts and Sciences”) which occupies a massive 350,000-sq-metre swath of the old Turia riverbed. Athletes and their spectators will also be spoilt for choice of cuisine, with the Central Market offering local produce and the city’s renowned gastronomy spearheaded by Valencia’s world-famous paella.

In addition to its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Valencia is a premier sporting destination having hosted some of the biggest global sport events and brands, including football, motorsport, road running, and triathlon.

Valencia’s Manises Airport is just 8 kilometers west of the city center, offering over 50 flights to various destinations including Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, and many Spanish cities.

For more information please visit: www.ironman.com/im703-valencia. For more information on the IRONMAN^® brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com. For more information, media may contact:

Olivia McCulla, Director, PR & Communications, EMEA Region: Olivia.mcculla@ironman.com

Carlos Martin, Marketing Manager, South Region: carlos.martin@ironman.com

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About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events including Haute Route^®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.