Race organizers from the World Triathlon Corporation have decided to merge the two New Orleans triathlon events next year, meaning both will take place on the same day in April. This year the inaugural 5150 New Orleans event took place in May, four weeks after the Ironman 70.3 New Orleans race in April. Now triathletes will come together when both races take place on Sunday, April 22, 2012.
The plan will be to have the Ironman 70.3 New Orleans event start first, with the 5150 New Orleans race starting 90 minutes later.
The two events previously ended in two separate areas in the city but will now end in new venue. The courses will stay similar, with the swimming still taking place in Lake Pontchartrain. The bike course will still go through eastern New Orleans, but the runs will wind through City Park and now both end at Roosevelt Mall instead of Jackson Square and UNO.
Triathlons: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, 5150 New Orleans
When: Sunday, April 22, 2012
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Divisions: Professional, Age Group, Relay
Website: www.ironmanneworleans.com, www.5150neworleans.com
The Ironman 70.3 race consists of a 1.2mi Swim, 56mi Bike and a 13.1mi Run while the 5150 triathlon consists of a 1.5km Swim, 40km Bike and a 10km Run.
Organizers hope to cut down on the expenses it takes to put on both races and make the event even bigger.
