Ironman 70.3 Austria Preview

The first annual Ironman 70.3 Austria set for Saturday, June 2

The 605 athletes registered for tomorrow's Ironman 70.3 race in Austria will enjoy a half-ton of noodles at the pre-race Pasta Party tonight before enjoying the spectacular premier event.
Athletes from 40 nations have signed up for the race. The start list includes Gerardus Schellens (BEL), who ran to his second victory in a row in South Africa this year, and the current Duathlon World Champion Leon Griffin from Australia. The Austrian elite field is represented by Ironman Austria team-members Norbert Langbrandtner, Werner Leitner, Gernot Seidl, Andreas Di Bernardo and the 'local hero' of Lower Austria - Alexander Frühwirth. Norbert Domnik, Daniel Niederreiter and Norbert König will also be waiting for the starting gun.

The women's is as exciting as the men's. Erika Csomor (HUN), the winner of Ironman Austria in 2004 and Ironman France 2006 winner, Edith Niederfriniger (ITA), will both be fighting for the new title.

The numbers surrounding the first IRONMAN 70.3 are significant: 600 participating athletes bring with them, on average, to other people, which means overnight stays of 5,400 in total. With the average person spending approximately € 100 per day, the community will enjoy about €540,000 of added revenue. International distribution agencies also bring an advertising value of almost 1 Million Euros. The added value in the region amounts to about 1,5 Million Euros in total.

Besides the economic numbers, the amount of product at aid stations and side events is impressive as well. 17,000 litres of water will be given out, 1,100 pieces of chicken, that half ton of noodles will line the stomachs of athletes and 10,000 sponges will be dispersed amongst the aid stations.

1,000 volunteers will be present on Saturday, supporting the organization and procedure of the race. The Austria IRONMAN 70.3 offers 75 slots for the world championship in Clearwater, Florida. Athletes are coming from New Zealand, Mexico, Israel and South Africa. 64 per cent are Austrians, 11 per cent are German and 4 per cent are from Italy. The total prize money is $25,000 and will be distributed equally across male and female winners.

Stay tuned for our live coverage of Ironman 70.3 Austria here on Ironman.com.