Melbourne To Host IRONMAN 70.3 Series

The IRONMAN Group has announced that Melbourne will host the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon series in November of 2020.

The event will be held on the edge of Port Phillip Bat at St Kilda’s Catani Gardens and will feature half-distance triathlon racing as part of the 70.3 series’ return to Australia.

The IRONMAN Group Oceania region managing director, Dave Beeche, said the event was created as a result of the input of the triathlon community across Melbourne, Australia and internationally.

“With the announcement of IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne bringing racing back to the St Kilda foreshore and its surrounding area, I am delighted that we are able to fulfill their wishes and create something unique and exciting,” Mr Beeche said.

“Designing the IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne course has been about providing the full athlete experience.

“A high priority has been given to retaining the favourite aspects of racing in the Port Phillip Bay, Beach Road and the Catani Gardens precincts, while providing a spectator friendly, fast, flat, scenic course on the St Kilda waterfront, that will be great for newcomers to the sport and seasoned athletes keen to record a fast time.

“I am sure athletes, their families and supporters will embrace IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne and it will quickly become a must do event on the annual IRONMAN 70.3 calendar.

“together with IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong, domestic and international athletes now have more reason that ever to come to Victoria, exploring and enjoying the southern state’s wide range of cultural, culinary and sporting attractions,” he said.

Port Phillip Council Mayor, Bernadene Voss, said St Kilda is a great place to welcome athletes and supporters from around the world to introduce them to Melbourne and Australia.

“With a scenic world-class course and a passionate crowd, there’s no better place than St Kilda for this popular event,” Voss said.

“We are excited that athletes from around the world, and their supporters, can enjoy our City’s beautiful foreshore as well as its many attractions after the event,” she said.

The course will start at the St Kilda Baths with a 1.9km swim in Port Phillip Bay, followed by a 90km, two lap, fully closed bike course along Beach Road, and will finish at the Catani Gardens with a two lap, 21.1km run with Melbourne skyline views.