The 2016 Ironman Regional Championship series will continue with this weekend’s 2016 Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas triathlon and will feature some of the most prestigious names in the sport.
The women’s professional field is highlighted by Americans and past Ironman and Ironman 70.3 champions Alicia Kaye, Kelly Williamson and Bree Wee. Kaye earned wins at the 2015 Ironman 70.3 Boulder and Ironman 70.3 Calgary triathlons while Williamson earned her first Ironman victory at the 2014 Ironman Texas race. Wee is a two Ironman titles under belt with wins at the 2012 Ironman Louisville and the 2014 Ironman Canada triathlons. Julia Gajer (DEU), runner-up at last year’s Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt, will also be in the mix along with Australian professional Rebekah Keat who was this year’s Ironman 70.3 New Orleans champion.
Headlining the men’s race is defending champion and 2014 Ironman Chattanooga winner, Matt Hanson. Previous Ironman Texas winners, Eneko Llanos (2011) and Jordan Rapp (2012) will be sure to give Hanson a battle for the title. Seven-time Ironman Champion Chris McDonald (AUS), 2008 Ironman 70.3 World Champion Terenzo Bozzone and this year’s Ironman 70.3 New Orleans winner Andrew Starykowicz will round out a talented men’s field.
“The North American Championship this weekend is sure to showcase the extreme talent and determination of elite athletes from around the world. This group of professional competitors will all be vying for the title and coveted automatic bid to this year’s Ironman World Championship,” said Christopher Stadler, Chief Marketing Officer for Ironman. “We are looking forward to witnessing the competition and crowning a champion here in Texas.”
An automatic bid to the 2016 Ironman World Championship will be on the line as all professional winners of each Ironman Regional Championship race will receive automatic qualification to the Ironman World Championship held in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i on October 8. The Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas triathlon will also offer a $150,000 prize purse to male and female professionals which will be distributed amongst the first through tenth place finishers.
In addition to the competitive professional field, nearly 3,000 age-group athletes are expected to compete at this year’s North American Championship. The race will offer 75 coveted age-group qualifying slots to the 2016 Ironman World Championship.
