IRONMAN to acquire triathlon and half marathon/10k/5k from Firstwave Events;

Big Kahuna Triathlon to become IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Santa Cruz

TAMPA, Fla. – IRONMAN announced the acquisition of multiple events from Firstwave Events, LLC. IRONMAN will now own and operate the Big Kahuna Triathlon and Santa Cruz Half Marathon/10k/5k. The Big Kahuna triathlon will be rebranded as IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Santa Cruz and will take place on Sunday, September 13, 2015.

“We are excited to continue to expand our offerings throughout California with the acquisition of the races from Firstwave Events,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN.

“With the strong foundation that has been laid, we look forward to growing these great events in a location with an enthusiastic endurance sports background.”

The IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz triathlon will feature a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. The race starts on the Santa Cruz Main Beach east of the wharf. Athletes will then begin the bike course at Depot Park as they head out on a scenic tour of the California coastline. From there, athletes will take on a scenic out and back run course that passes around the Natural Bridges State Park and Wilder Ranch State Park with the turnaround on the ocean bluffs before returning to finish in front of the main stage at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

“Firstwave Events is excited and proud to have the Big Kahuna Triathlon and the Santa Cruz Half Marathon & 10K/5k join the IRONMAN family,” said Tom Cotton, CEO of Firstwave Events, LLC. “We look forward to seeing many more athletes enjoy the coastal beauty of Santa Cruz, California, as these great races grow into world-class events.”

IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz will offer 30 age-group slots to the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

 General registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz will open on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 12:00 pm ET.

More information about IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz can be found here.