Ironman 70.3 Germany in Wiesbaden

Inaugural Ironman 70.3 event slated for August 19, 2007

Wiesbaden, the regional capital of the State of Hessen, will host the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Germany on August 19th, 2007. The event serves as a qualifier for both the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Florida, and the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona.

A total of 100 qualifying slots will be awarded to age group and pro athletes for the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 taking place on November 10th, 2007 in Clearwater, Florida. There will be 15 qualifying slots awarded for the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship taking place on October 13th, 2007 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Ironman 70.3 Germany becomes the 23rd event in the Ironman 70.3 series, and will be the only competition held in Germany. Made up of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run, the event includes a total of 70.3 miles of racing.

Ironman 70.3 Germany will also host an “IronTeam” relay competition, in which each team member will complete one of the three triathlon disciplines.

It was thanks to the cooperation of all the municipal offices of the city of Wiesbaden and other adjacent cities that it was possible to hold the event this year.

The city of Wiesbaden, located on the Rhein River a short distance from Frankfurt, offers perfect conditions for a triathlon event. The one-loop swim course starts in the “Harbor of Schierstein” adjacent to the river Rhein. The bike course, also one loop, takes athletes through the beautiful, but hilly, countryside of Rheingau and Taunus. The run course includes three loops through the spa gardens, and finishes in front of the Kurhaus, the most historic landmark of the City of Wiesbaden.

Wiesbaden is also a popular tourist destination, which means there will be lots to do for athletes and their families when they are not training and racing. Popular for shopping, Wiesbaden also offers inviting boat tours on the river Rhein. Other popular tourist activities include trips to the many wineries and the wine capital Rüdesheim, old castles, the monastery of Eberbach, the Loreley and more.