The Ironman Weymouth race organisers have told 220 that there are just 100 spots left for their debut Ironman 70.3 race in Weymouth on Sunday 11 September.
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The major race brand have also confirmed the bike course for the new addition to the M-Dot event calendar, with the Cerne Abbas bike stretch pictured above.
Starting and finishing from transition in the heart of Weymouth, the bike course will showcase the best of Dorset across either a 112 mile (IRONMAN) two lap route or a 56 mile (70.3) single lap. This one or two lap anti-clockwise route promises to provide “speed, hills and beauty across rolling countryside and some charming villages.”
Comprising just over 1,880m of elevation over the 2 laps, the 2,500 athletes will relish the spectator support to spur them on as they make their way from Weymouth via Osmington and through the picturesque villages of Puddletown, Piddlehinton and Cerne Abbas.
Notable changes have seen the removal of some of the smaller roads to offer a safer route for the larger number of participants anticipated. There will also be a new loop north of Dorchester, replicating some of the original IRONMAN Sherborne course in 2006.
Full details including an interactive bike map are available IRONMAN Weymouth or IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth. And a promo video is here
WEYMOUTH ROUTES
Ahead of this new bike route, the Weymouth races will commence with a 2.4 mile (IRONMAN) or 1 lap 1.2 mile (70.3) swim in Weymouth Bay. This will be a rolling start swim, as is now implemented across all UK events, to reduce congestion. All athletes will exit the water after the first 1.2 mile lap, with Ironman athletes re-entering for a second lap. Once the athletes have completed the bike course, the race concludes with either a 26.2 mile (IRONMAN) or 13.1 mile (70.3) run, comprising a 2 or 4 lap course respectively.
This multi-lap run will take the athletes around the town, harbour and the sea front. Lined with over 40 cafes, restaurants and bars, it offers outstanding spectator viewing and makes for an electric atmosphere to spur the athletes along to the finish line right up to the 8.5 hours (70.3) or 17 hours cut off time.
The event will mark the first time both an Ironman and a 70.3 race are held on the same day in Europe. Ironman Weymouth will have 30 qualifying slots to the 2017 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Ironman 70.3 Weymouth will have 30 qualifying slots to the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. Professional athletes will compete for a total prize purse of $15,000 USD with the race offering P-500 KPR points as well.