Ironman Japan is unlike other Ironman events around the world where they announce and open registration for the following years race the day after the current year’s race, maybe because it doesn't sell out like other popular Ironman races.

The date for the 8th running of the Ironman Japan triathlon has been announced. The race will take place on Sunday, June 22, 2008 in Goto, Nagasaki, Japan. Sunday, June 22nd will be a popular Ironman day around the world since Ironman France and Ironman Coeur d'Alene will also take place on this day. The race website states that registration will open sometime in January.

A couple of months ago Asia gained another Ironman race with the announcement of the Ironman China race set to take place in Haikou, Hainan, China. Now comes the news that Asia will lose an Ironman triathlon race. An announcement on the Ironman.com website states that Jeju, Korea, will not play host to an Ironman event in 2008. Jeju hosted the 7th running of the Ironman Korea triathlon this past August. If you don't know or remember, Chrissie Wellington, the current Women's Ironman World Champion, won that race as a rookie pro and that got her a slot to Hawaii just two month before the championship race. The WTC statement is vague, in the sense that it only states that it won't host a race in 2008 which leaves it open for a possible future race. We will have to see...