The World Triathlon Corporation has announced that Ironman China and Ironman 70.3 China will now take place at a new venue and will move to the race to the month of May in 2011. The race will now be closer to Beijing in Jixian in the Tianjin Province on May 22, 2011. The triathlon event previously took place in March in Haikou, on the resort island of Hainan in Southern China and was affected by extreme heat conditions.
The move to the new venue heralds an exciting new era for Ironman China. The host city of Jixian, Tianjin Province, is located a convenient 50-minute drive east from the Beijing International Airport (PEK),making the 2011 event easily accessible to China's growing triathlon participatory base and other major international cities. There are more than 40 triathlon clubs within driving distance of the venue and it is also within a day-trip of sections of The Great Wall and other China attractions.
Triathlon: Ironman China & Ironman 70.3 China
When: Sunday, May 22, 2011
Where: Jixian, Tianjin Province, China
Divisions: Professional, Age Group
Website: www.ironmanchina.com
The selection of a May date will take advantage of the brilliant late spring-eve climate in Northern China, with expected maximum temperatures approaching 28C/82F. Weather patterns in this part of China leave virtually no chance of the sort of high temperatures that unluckily dogged the race in Haikou, the race's previous venue. The Jixian region also hosts The Great Wall Marathon each year in early May.
Jixian is a clean-air and clean-water venue. The swim is in a reservoir offering controlled swim conditions. The two-loop bike course will circle the reservoir and possibly skirt The Great Wall. Details regarding the swim, bike and run courses will be announced in early June.
Ironman China will feature 50 qualifying slots to the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship, held in Kailua-Kona, HI. The Ironman 70.3 China event includes 25 qualifying slots to the 2011 Ironman World Championship 70.3, and is also an official qualifying event for the 2011 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship.
Further race information, including course maps and online registration details, will be announced in the coming weeks at Ironman.com and IronmanChina.com
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• 2010 Ironman Japan Officially Canceled
• Ironman Announces U.S. Rule Changes for 2011 Season
• Asian Expansion Continues with New Ironman 70.3 Japan
