The biggest pro field seen in Australia set to race Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast

Largest professional field in the events history to race on Sunshine Coast

A huge field of more than 50 professionals will assemble for the IRONMAN ^® 70.3 ^® Sunshine Coast triathlon on September 13, making it the largest IRONMAN 70.3 professional field in IRONMAN Asia-Pacific history.

The classy field is brim full with Asia-Pacific triathletes keen to get a leg-up on the competition with an early season hit-out at the home of the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

After missing Sunday’s world championship in Austria, Australia’s most decorated IRONMAN athlete Craig Alexander will be the headline act.

Joining him on the start line will be fellow Australian Tim Reed and New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone.

Reed and Bozzone will be looking for a little redemption after disappointing showings at Sunday’s world championship, Reed finishing 14^th and Bozzone registering a DNF.

“I’m looking forward to racing on the Sunshine Coast. It is always really nice to race at home in Australia and I think there is some buzz around this race, as it is the venue for the world championships next year,” Alexander says.

Given its close proximity to October 10’s IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii, IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast provides the perfect lead up race, with Australians Luke McKenzie, Luke Bell, Tim Berkel and Brad Kahlefeldt all in the final stages of preparation for an assault on the Big Island.

Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen is back to defend the title she claimed last year and will be joined on the start line by Annabel Luxford (AUS), preparing for her first visit to the IRONMAN World Championship.

IRONMAN Western Australia champion, Britta Martin (NZL) will be on the start line with IRONMAN Switzerland winner Beth Gerdes (USA), Radka Vodickova (CZE) and Australians Rebekah Keat and Lisa Marangon.