Canberra 2011 70.3 Sold Out

General entries for the 2011 Ironman 70.3 Canberra triathlon have today sold-out with over three months remaining to race date. 1,360 age group and professional athletes will contest the December 11 event, which requires competitors to complete a 1.9km swim, 90.1km bike leg and a 21.1km run.

The registration of 1,360 athletes makes it the largest field ever to compete at the event. The sold-out status of Ironman 70.3 Canberra sets another milestone for Australian Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events with Ironman 70.3 Shepparton, Ironman Western Australia, Ironman Australia and the Ironman Asia Pacific Championship all selling out almost immediately upon the opening of registrations.

“We are experiencing a period of incredible growth in our sport in this country,” said Shane Smith, Ironman Australia’s General Manager. “Whether it is an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event, everyone at Ironman is driven to constantly evolve our events and provide a heightened experience for athletes.

“We are thrilled with the response to these efforts from the Ironman community and sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm among established and budding participants who are entering our events in record numbers,” Smith continued. “We wish everyone who has entered Ironman 70.3 Canberra a safe and successful preparation and a fantastic race day.”

Graeme Hannan, Race Director of X-Tri events, organisors of Ironman 70.3 Canberra, said the 2011 edition will be the most significant in the event’s history.

“In addition to a record age-group field, we have attracted the biggest international field ever with over fifteen countries represented,” said Mr. Hannan.

“Our professional field is the strongest ever with multiple Ironman and Ironman 70.3 winners including Ollie Whistler, Michelle Wu, Lisa Marangon and Jason Shortis vying for the respective men’s and women’s professional titles”.

The sell-out of Ironman 70.3 Canberra 2011 means the only remaining opportunity for athletes to race an Ironman 70.3 event in Australia before the end of 2011 is the Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie event, which doubles as the Ironman 70.3 Australian Age Group Championship. Limited entries remain for this event which is held in Port Macquarie, NSW on Sunday November 6, 2011.

Ironman 70.3 Canberra takes place on Sunday December 11, 2011 with the main race precinct located in Commonwealth Park, Canberra. Ironman 70.3 Canberra is an official qualifier for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, held annually in Las Vegas, USA. Athletes racing at Ironman 70.3 Canberra will compete for a professional prize purse of US $15,000 and 25 age group qualifying spots to the 2012 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. More information about the event is available at www.ironmancanberra.com