XIAMEN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Wanda Sports' IRONMAN company announced on Friday that the second edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Xiamen triathlon will take place on November 12, 2017.
The race will be the final event of the 2017 IRONMAN China Tour, one of five IRONMAN 70.3 races held in China. IRONMAN 70.3 Xiamen returns as an IRONMAN 70.3 Athletes' Choice winner in the category of "Will Attend Next Year" from 2016's inaugural edition of the race.
"Xiamen remains an international sports destination with ease of access and tremendous city support, said Jeff Edwards, General Manager of Operations for IRONMAN in China. "The seaside setting and experienced volunteers make the race a worthwhile goal on any athlete's list."
IRONMAN 70.3 Xiamen will begin with a point-to-point 1.2-mile (1.9km) ocean swim following the tidal current. The seaside vistas continue with a two-loop 56-mile (90km) bike course closed to vehicular traffic. The completely flat three-loop 13.1-mile (21.1km) run course provides close-proximity for spectators.
Last year's IRONMAN 70.3 Xiamen champions were Josh Amberger and Jeanni Seymour. Strong fields are expected to return in 2017 as Ironman 70.3 Xiamen continues as a great late season race for both professionals and age-group athletes.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Xiamen triathlon will offer a $25,000 US dollars' professional prize purse and 50 age-group qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. IRONMAN 70.3 Xiamen will also provide 30 age-group qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN World Championships at Kailua-Kona, United States.
General entry for IRONMAN 70.3 Xiamen will open on June 22.
