Ironman Japan athletes offered second chance at Kona qualification

The 50 qualifying slots for the Ford Ironman World Championship, which were previously assigned to Ironman Japan, will now be offered at the Jeju International Triathlon (JIT) taking place on July 11, 2010 on Jeju Island, South Korea. The cancellation of Ironman Japan was due to the host venue’s concerns over the spread of foot & mouth disease. The opportunity to race for the Kona slots at the JIT is available to athletes who were originally registered for the Ironman Japan event.

“With the sudden and unexpected cancellation of Ironman Japan, we wanted to provide Japanese and regional athletes with the best possible alternative to qualify for Kona this year,” said Murphy Reinschreiber, WTC’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific. “While there were no opportunities in Japan to stage or cooperate with an existing full-distance event before September 1st, the qualifying deadline, the Jeju International Triathlon is the perfect alternative. Jeju Island, Korea is convenient for most Japanese athletes and the Jeju International Triathlon will provide athletes with a fair opportunity to qualify for Kona.”

JIT will now include an “IQ” (Ironman Qualifier) division. Athletes who were entered in the 2010 Ironman Japan race are eligible to race in the IQ division. Those entered in the IQ division will be eligible to compete for qualifying slots to the 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Age group awards will be determined by the overall (combined JIT and IQ) race results.

Ironman Japan athletes are required to register for JIT to enter the IQ division. The entry fee is $500USD. Athletes can register by following this link: www.athlonia.com/race/korea_imaj/. All race materials and finisher items for the IQ division will be branded “Ironman Japan.”

Competitors who registered for JIT before June 11 will be contacted by the race office to discuss a transfer to the IQ division.

Athletes needing Jeju travel and hotel assistance, as well as information on the JIT, please follow this link: www.koreatriathlonjeju.com

WTC will be contacting displaced international Ironman Japan competitors in regards to entry places at other 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship qualifying events held around the world.

All internationally-based Ironman Japan competitors are invited to enter the JIT event in the IQ division, with general entry also available for the August 1 Ironman U.K. event.”