IRONMAN, announced yesterday the addition of its first full distance event in Ireland, IRONMAN® Ireland, Cork. The inaugural race will take place on June 23, 2019 and will be a qualifier for the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i.
For the first time in Ireland, Cork will host a full-distance IRONMAN competition starting in 2019. Youghal will be centre stage for the next three years showcasing beautiful beaches, historic towns and world-renowned hospitality to a world-wide audience.
Youghal is steeped in history, Ireland’s second oldest town easily accessible for athletes wishing to tackle the inaugural 140.6mile triathlon from both Ireland and abroad. The race will get underway with a 3.8km (2.4-mile) swim with a rolling start from the golden and sandy, Claycastle beach in Youghal Bay, that gently shelves into the Celtic Sea. This is within walking distance of Youghal Town.
A two-lap 180km (112-mile) bike course is next. Starting off through the centre of Youghal town, athletes will take on the challenge of climbing up the famous Windmill Hill twice, which undoubtedly will also become a spectator hotspot before encountering a combination of flat country roads and undulating coastal roads with magnificent sea views of Youghal Bay, Ballycotton Island and Cork Harbour. The breathtaking course goes around County Cork, into Midleton and will rise to a max elevation of 190m before a technical drop back into Youghal.
The 42km (26.2-mile) run course will be the highlight of this event. This will be a flat four-lap run course through the centre of the historic town of Youghal, taking in Youghal Harbour and the famous Clock Gate Tower. Athletes will run under the arch of the Clock Gate Tower in the centre of town during each lap before finally running under the IRONMAN finishing arch in Market Square.
“It has always been our goal to establish a full-distance event in Ireland. Now, building on the success of IRONMAN 70.3 Dún Laoghaire we are excited to add IRONMAN Ireland, Cork,” said Oliver Schiek, Regional Director IRONMAN UK & Ireland. “This race is a remarkable combination of a stunning race course with a beautiful landscape as a backdrop. We are looking forward to welcoming Irish and international athletes to the inaugural edition in June 2019.”
Priority entries open 24 May, while general registration opens on 5 June 2018. For more information go to www.ironman.com/ireland
Photo Source: IRONMAN Ireland
