Ironman announced today that 200 female age-group slots have been added to the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship taking place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
These additional slots will be utilized by Women For Tri™, an initiative to welcome and empower new female triathletes to be part of the sport’s continued exponential growth, with 100% of the net proceeds from the registration revenue supporting their TriClub grants and collegiate scholarship funds.
The 200 slots will be allocated to top performing female triathletes based on the athlete’s total 2016 Ironman 70.3 Age Group Ranking (AGR) points. Allocating these slots based on Ironman 70.3 AGR will create a deeper field of female athletes and maintain the integrity and prestige of a world championship event. The AGR system measures an athlete’s performance in Ironman 70.3 races throughout the 2016 calendar year.
“Having a two-day championship event provides us with an exciting opportunity to welcome even more athletes and to provide them the chance to experience a world championship event,” said Christopher Stadler, Chief Marketing Officer. “Supporting the Women For Tri TriClub grants and collegiate scholarships through these additional slots will aid in the continued growth of female participation in the sport.”
In its first year in 2015, Women For Tri helped increase female participation in Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events globally by 18% to more than 62,000 female athletes. In addition, they raised over $100,000 to fund 24 TriClub grants and five collegiate scholarships.
“Ironman is meaningfully supporting Women For Tri Through the creation of 200 additional opportunities for the top female triathletes to compete and experience a world championship event with 100% of the net proceeds from those registrations going to the intiative,” said Cris Howard, a member of the Women For Tri Board of Advisors. “Last year, we were able to touch the lives of thousands of women who are new to the sport, trying to improve, or wanting to give back to the triathlon community, thanks to the grants and scholarships. These additional proceeds allow us to continue to expand the grant and scholarship program so our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and friends can share in the joy that a triathlon finish line brings.”
The Ironman 70.3 World Championship is the pinnacle event in the global Ironman 70.3 triathlon series. The 2017 championship race will be a two-day event with the professional and age-group women racing on Saturday, September 9, and the professional and age-group men racing on Sunday, September 10. More than 4,000 athletes will qualify to race in the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship at over 100 Ironman 70.3 races around the world throughout the 2017 qualifying season.
Known in the Southeastern U.S. as the Scenic City due to its proximity to Lookout Mountain, striking riverfront and vibrant downtown, Chattanooga lures athletes with its dramatic backdrop, idyllic weather and low-key southern charm. Already host to annual Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events, Chattanooga provides a fast course with a swim in the Tennessee River. Four bridges cross the river over the swim and a pedestrian Riverwalk runs along the entire swim course making it ideal for spectators. Chattanooga is full of attractions, eclectic dining spots and great places to stay.
For more information or to see a list of frequently asked questions about the Ironman 70.3 Age Group Ranking Program, go to www.ironman.com/triathlon/organizations/all-world-athlete/agr.aspx. Inquiries about the program may be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
