IRONMAN 70.3 Ireland returns to Galway this September and has secured major contracts to have the event broadcast all over the world. IRONMAN 70.3 Ireland returns to Galway this September and has secured major contracts to have the event broadcast all over the world. The inaugural 2011 event, heralded as a great success, received much attention from global television stations and has already secured contracts from over 25 channels in every continent in the world.
These include; British Networks Channel 4 and BSKYB, Universal Sports (USA), Canal + (France & Spain), ESPN (World wide), Sport 1 ( Germany) EuroSport (Pan European), Guangdong TV (China), Setanta Sports (World Wide), Al Jazeera ( World Wide) Eoin McCormack, of E&R Events Ltd, the official local organisers, said this should have a positive boost for the local and national economy. “As well as the 10.1 million Euro that this event brought directly into the economy last year (Source: Western Development Commission), this allows us a wonderful opportunity to showcase Galway City and Connemara and to promote the spectacular West of Ireland region to millions of potential visitors.” “Overseas competitors are generally ABC1, successful, goal oriented, type visitors who come with their families, and the gruelling nature of the event means they must stay at least three nights with many more opting to stay in Ireland for their yearly holiday” The Event will be over the weekend of the 31st of August to the 2nd for September with the race itself taking place on Sunday the 2nd of September. The swim course will begin at Black Rock, finishing at Palmer’s Rock. The bike course will mainly take place on the N59 from Galway to Maam Cross, leaving Salthill Park and heading East on the Upper Salthill Road, along St Mary’s Road and Newcastle Road, right onto Distillery Road and travels under the N6 via NUIG joining the N59 via Upper Newcastle Road and continue on the N59 through Moycullen and Oughterard to Maam Cross. The return leg comes back the same way, back to the run course. The run will start in Salthill Park and will head out east along the promenade, past the finish area, and out to Claddagh Quay. It returns via South Park and continues back along the promenade until turning at Black Rock. After three laps runners will enter the finish funnel at the Seapoint car park area in Salthill. This year’s race will also see a trial run of a new Age Group Ranking system (AGR), which will recognise the best age group competitors. This programme, introduced by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), sees athletes ranked no. 1 in their age group in 2012, receive free entry to a 2013 Ironman, Ironman 70.3 or 5150 Triathlon Series qualifying event of their choice. Athletes ranking second through fifth in their age group in 2012 receive guaranteed entry for the 2013 Ironman, Ironman 70.3 or 5150 Triathlon Series qualifying event of their choice. For more information on volunteering or taking part in this year’s Ironman, visit their website www.ironmanireland.com or visit Facebook search IRONMAN IRELAND. For more info please contact: E&R Events Event organisers Eoin McCormack M.A. email:[email protected] mobile:00353 (0)87 7737000
