News & Racing

Ironman 70.3 World Championship: They Are Ready to Race

The final preparations have now been completed and athletes have headed to bed ahead of the 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. We take a look back at Friday's action in St. George ahead of the big race.

Shawn Smith

Shawn Smith

— 3 min read
Ironman 70.3 World Championship: They Are Ready to Race
South African Jeanni Metzler’s bike is racked and ready for race day at the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Photo: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN.

Race week for the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship continued today in St. George, Utah with the IRONKIDS Fun Run and athlete bike check-in.

IRONKIDS
In conjunction with the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission, The IRONMAN Group celebrated the next generation of athletes during the IRONKIDS Fun Run event on Friday, Sept. 17, at Town Square Park. Children from ages 3 to 17-years-old participated in either a half-mile or a 1-mile run course. The event saw a total of 300 young participants. Kids were greeted at the finish line with medals to showcase their accomplishments. Children are the future of our sport and providing an opportunity to participate in an event that uses portions of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship run course, including the same finish line arch that will be used for Saturday, allows for this generation of young athletes to “Rise To It” just like the adults racing.

Bike Check-in
Bike, helmet, and gear check-ins took place Friday at the Sand Hollow Reservoir transition area with the race day just hours away. Excitement filled the air as athletes began to rack their bikes and set up their race day needs at their designated racks. Participants exchange discussions of projected split times, tips for dealing with fatigue, and overall expectations for the race as they put the finishing touches on their preparation for Saturday morning’s race.

Professional Field
Tomorrow’s Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission race will feature a stellar professional male and female field as they battle it out for a piece of the $350,000 USD total professional prize purse and the title of IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion.

Among the professional triathletes to toe the start will be reigning IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Daniela Ryf (CHE) who is seeking to become the first person ever to win six IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship titles. Aiming to dethrone Ryf will be Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR), Taylor Knibb (USA), Holly Lawrence (GBR), Emma Pallant-Brown (GBR), and Ellie Salthouse (AUS), and many others.

Defending IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Gustav Iden (NOR) and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) headline star studded men’s field. Challenging them will be Sam Appleton (AUS), Ben Kanute (USA), Sam Long (USA) and Tim Reed (AUS) among a host of other strong professional male athletes.

The next generation of IRONMAN athletes set the tone for the weekend as they take off from the start line of the IRONKIDS Fun Run. Photo: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN.
IRONKIDS finishers come across the very same finish line as the athletes. Photo: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN.
All smiles at the IRONKIDS Fun Run. Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN.
The final preparations have now been completed and athletes have headed to bed ahead of the 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. We take a look back at Friday's action in St. George ahead of the big race.
Bike check-in at the Sand Hollow Reservoir at the first transition area which was in full swing on Friday as athletes eagerly lined up to rack their bikes. Photo: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN.

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