In just 11 days, nearly 2,000 athletes will be tackling a 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim, followed by a 56 mile (90km) bike ride and then a 13.1 mile (21.1km) half-marathon all as one race. The swim takes place in Scotsman’s Bay (Dún Laoghaire), before athletes mount their bikes to travel up the coast and through the centre of the city, then looping out west of the city and returning to Phoenix Park for the run and finish. IRONMAN are encouraging as many local residents as possible to play a key role as an event volunteer or come and cheer the athletes along on this iconic Dublin route.
In order to host an event of this scale, there will be road closures in place along the bike course as it travels from Dún Laoghaire, north along Dublin Bay and turning onto the North Quays as it heads through Phoenix Park for a circuit west of the city via out west of the city towards Lucan, Maynooth, Kilcock, Dunboyne and back towards Phoenix Park.
Almost 50% of these athletes will be competing in their first IRONMAN event. There has been a huge increase in female participation in IRONMAN events, with almost 360 women (18.5%) taking part in the IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin event. The event will also feature a number of Irish pro triathletes, including Robbie Wade.
Kevin Stewart, Managing Director for IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin said: “We are delighted to be coming back to Dublin with IRONMAN 70.3. The support last year was fantastic, we have leading triathletes from all over the world coming to Dublin to take part and we are hoping to see an even bigger crowd turn out this year to support the athletes.
We received lots of feedback last year and we have revised the bike course so even people who took part last year will face a fresh challenge this year.”
For more detailed information on road closures affecting local areas on the bike and run course including maps and timings, please click here
The 1.2 mile swim will take place in Scotsman’s Bay in Dún Laoghaire with first Pros in the water at 6.50am through until the last start at 7:50am. Athletes will be in the area on Saturday for racking and bag drop, plus early on Sunday morning to prepare for the event. There will be local road closures in place from 4am until approx 10am.
The bike course starts at Dún Laoghaire after the swim and travels up the coast and along the North Quays through Dublin city, past Phoenix Park and then looping out west of the city towards Lucan, Maynooth, Kilcock, Dunboyne and back to Phoenix Park.
The third and final element of the race, will see the competitors complete a three lap, 13.1 mile run in Phoenix Park, with the finish line on Chesterfield Avenue, near the Phoenix Roundabout.