Ironman announced today that Lake Placid, New York has been selected to host the 28th race in the Ironman 70.3 U.S. Series through 2021. The inaugural Ironman 70.3 Lake Placid triathlon will take place on Sunday, September 10, 2017.
Located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, Lake Placid is home to the historic Ironman Lake Placid triathlon, the longest-running Ironman event in the United States aside from the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i. With the new contract the full-distance Ironman Lake Placid triathlon is confirmed to return each year through 2021 as well.
“Lake Placid has been a home to Ironman for 18 years, and every year is an outstanding race for athletes from around the world,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of Ironman. “We are extremely excited to add an Ironman 70.3 race to Lake Placid, providing another opportunity for athletes to race this iconic course and to experience the beauty of this area and the hospitality of this wonderful community.”
Ironman 70.3 Lake Placid will lead athletes through a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run on the same course as Ironman Lake Placid. Athletes begin with a swim in clear Mirror Lake, with the famous sight line at the bottom of the lake to guide them. After athletes transition in the Olympic Speed Skating Oval to the bike, the rolling mountain views provide a scenic backdrop to the ride. The one-loop 56-mile course brings competitors back to the Oval, where they begin their 13.1-mile run through the town and around the lake.
“This commitment over the next six years will bring business to the area regardless of the weather or what the economy is doing, and we hope it will help inspire more reasons for private investment in the area,” said town Supervisor Roby Politi. “We also expect more athletes to visit for year-round training, which often happens during our slow seasons.”
“We’re excited to double down on our association with a global sports brand like Ironman and continue to tie this region with the best of athletic competitions globally,” said James McKenna, CEO of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), who was instrumental in negotiating the contract. “Ironman markets this event around the world, bringing the Lake Placid name to places it might otherwise not be heard.”
Having hosted two Olympic Games (1932 and 1980), Lake Placid has experience in delivering world-class athletic events. Lake Placid has the amenities of a large city and the charm of a small town, offering high-end restaurants, shopping and world-class accommodations.
“The Village of Lake Placid will play a key role in this event, with services provided by a variety of village departments including our police, water, highway, and fire departments, and also the Lake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service,” said Lake Placid Mayor Craig Randall. “For a community of our size to be able to provide these services speaks well for our longevity in the world of sporting events.”
“The New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) is pleased to offer its venues for these events,” said ORDA CEO Ted Blazer. “Keeping our world-class venues updated helps maintain Lake Placid’s position as a viable candidate for events of this scale. Without the venues, these large events would not be possible.”
Ironman 70.3 Lake Placid will offer 35 slots to the 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is the Official Charity Partner of Ironman 70.3 Lake Placid. The MMRF will be fielding a team of 100 athletes for the 2017 race. MMRF athletes receive special race weekend benefits and help raise funds for a cure for cancer.
General registration for Ironman 70.3 Lake Placid will open September 9, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. ET at www.ironman.com/lakeplacid70.3.
