Craig Alexander one of the first to sign up to Ironman 70.3 Putrajava in Malaysia

When entries went on sale today for two new events in Malaysia, IRONMAN 70.3 Putrajaya and IRONMAN Langkawi, Craig Alexander was one of the first to sign on.

The three-time Ironman World Champion and two-time Ironman 70.3 Champion is keen to race closer to home after announcing he would not contest another Ironman event following this year’s IRONMAN World Championship. Craig will now focus on competing at the 70.3 distance and will be a more regular face across the Asia Pacific regions events.

“I am very much looking forward to racing the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Malaysia race in Putrajaya next April,” said Alexander.

“It is really exciting to see the expansion of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races in Asia-Pacific. There is a burgeoning triathlon community here and it is great that they are being catered for.”

Alexander will be a big drawcard to the Putrajaya event, giving the triathlon communities a unique experience to race with one of the worlds’ greatest and a wonderful promotion for the event.

“Ironman is excited to be returning our brands back to Malaysia and the athletes of the Asia Pacific region next year after a three year absence,” said Geoff Meyer, CEO of Ironman Asia Pacific.

“The sport has grown exponentially in that period and these new events will bring a brand new energy to the triathlon community in this part of the world. We look forward to delivering memorable race experiences in spectacular destinations for athletes from around the world.”

Of course this wouldn’t have eventuated without the investment from our key stakeholders, Malaysia Major Events, Putrajaya Corporation and the Langkawi Area Development Authority who we have entered into a long term partnership with.

IRONMAN 70.3 Putrajaya will be held on the weekend of 12-13 April 2014, and IRONMAN Malaysia on the island resort of Langkawi on Saturday, 27 September.

To celebrate the launch Ironman is offering special entry opening prices and packages, for a five (5) day period, to reward those who act quickly.

*The IRONMAN Malaysia entry fee is $550 (USD)

Putrajaya, a dynamic city situated 32km from Kuala Lumpur, symbolizes modern Malaysia. The green and intelligent city, a mix of the spectacular old and new, is the federal administrative centre of the country.

Athletes will race on a rolling fast and hot Ironman 70.3 course amidst an iconic landscape that showcases Malaysia’s rich culture and spectacular architecture.

Langkawi Island sets the stage for athletes from around the world to be taken on a truly Malaysian tropical cultural journey. Athletes will be embraced by the local Kampung (village) communities as they embark on their personal Ironman journey amidst one of the most welcoming and beautiful destinations in South East Asia.

IRONMAN Malaysia is one of 32 qualifying races on the global Ironman circuit that culminate with the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii each October. IRONMAN Malaysia will offer 40 age group qualifying slots for Hawaii in 2015.

IRONMAN 70.3 Putrajaya is one of 65 events worldwide that qualify athletes for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships. IRONMAN 70.3 Putrajaya will offer 30 age group qualifying slots for the 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Mont Tremblant, Canada on 7 September.

Professional athletes will be competing for a total prize purse of USD$40,000 for IRONMAN Malaysia and USD$15,000 for IRONMAN 70.3 Putrajaya.