IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holdings company, has officially announced Langkawi island, the Jewel of Kedah, as the host to IRONMAN® Malaysia and IRONMAN® 70.3® Langkawi in 2017. With the support of Malaysia Major Events, a division of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, the tropical paradise island will host both races on November 11, 2017.
“We are truly happy about this announcement as IRONMAN Malaysia has become a staple on the Asian triathlon calendar for the past few years. We have received strong support from participants and the local community, and are extremely excited to welcome more athletes to such an amazing destination with the addition of IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi,” said Geoff Meyer, Asia Managing Director for IRONMAN.
In the full IRONMAN distance, triathletes will begin with a 3.8km swim embracing Pantai Kok pristine white sandy beach and crystal blue waters of the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. The two-loop bike course heads to Jalan Teluk Yu on a clockwise loop from the Northwest point of the island around the rolling hills of Datai towards the South eastern part of Langkawi.
Passing through several local villages, athletes will enjoy the colourful sights and sounds of the island, ride along the coastline of Pantai Kok, and head to the Mahsuri International Exhibition Center. The run course will showcase the best Malaysia has to offer, as athletes run along the scenic ocean front of Cenang Beach before finishing at the beachfront of Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa at the end of their second lap.
IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi will give athletes the opportunity to race on the same course as they will cover half the distance (1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run).
“We are truly excited to host IRONMAN Malaysia once again in one of Malaysia’s hidden gems, Langkawi. The annual race has proven to be one of the most successful major events that we have been hosting in Malaysia. Sports events are steadily contributing to the country’s tourism economy, boosting tourism, domestically and internationally,” said Tony Nagamaiah, General Manager of Malaysia Major Events.
With the introduction of IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi, set to take place on Saturday 11 November 2017, IRONMAN 70.3 Putrajaya will be discontinued in 2017.
2017 IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi will be an age group race only offering 30 qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Meanwhile, the 2017 IRONMAN Malaysia will offer a $25,000 USD professional prize purse and 40 age-group qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States of America.
2017 IRONMAN Malaysia and 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi races are part of the 2018 Asia TriClub Qualifier Series.
General registration for IRONMAN Malaysia, will open on Monday 20 March, 2017, at www.ironman.com/malaysia.
General registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi, will open on Tuesday 18 April, 2017, at www.ironman.com/langkawi70.3. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.
Watch the 2016 Ironman Malaysia highlights here courtesy of Ironman Asia
