Ironman, a Wanda Sports Holding company, announced today that Santa Rosa, California will host the 2017 Ironman Santa Rosa and Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa triathlons, a shift in venue from the previously held Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Vineman triathlons.
The 2017 Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa triathlon will take place on May 13 while the 2017 Ironman Santa Rosa triathlon will be held on July 29.
"We are thrilled to formally bring Ironman to Santa Rosa,” said Jonathan Coe, President of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. “Ironman represents the pinnacle of endurance sports. We are proud to be able to showcase this world-class event in our beautiful city."
Boasting a great history of hosting world-class sporting events, Santa Rosa is conveniently located in Sonoma County, a desirable location for athletes from around the globe. The world-famous wine regions of Napa and Sonoma Valleys offer quaint bed and breakfasts and boutique hotel options, along with thousands of wineries, craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants for pre-race fueling and post-race celebrations. The location is a springboard for vacation itineraries including the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Cruz mountains, and coastal redwood forests.
“Athletes will truly enjoy their entire experience while in Santa Rosa. The rich tradition of races in this area only expands with this exciting destination race,” said Jeff Edwards, Vice President of North American Operations for Ironman.
The 2017 Ironman Santa Rosa triathlon expects to welcome more than 2,500 athletes and thousands of spectators to the area. The course includes a 2.4-mile swim in the clear waters of Lake Sonoma while the 112-mile bike course takes advantage of many of the same roads as the traditional Ironman Vineman course, bringing athletes through Sonoma County wine country. The 26.2-mile run provides athletes with a mostly shaded course, utilizing the City of Santa Rosa Creek Trail system. The 2017 Ironman Santa Rosa triathlon will offer 40 qualifying slots to the 2017 Ironman World Championship taking place in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i. Athletes registered for the 2017 Ironman Vineman will remain registered for the newly located 2017 Ironman Santa Rosa triathlon.
"We look forward to providing an attractive course and event for our athletes, their families and friends, as well as the citizens of Santa Rosa,” said Keats McGonigal, Ironman Senior Regional Director, responsible for the operational implementation of the event. “Swimming in Lake Sonoma, cycling through the vineyards of the Sonoma County wine country and running along the shaded paths of Santa Rosa Creek, the city of Santa Rosa will offer a unique and unforgettable race experience.”
The 2017 Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa triathlon will be held in the beautiful mountains of Northern California. The 1.2-mile, single-loop swim will take place in calm, clean Lake Sonoma. Athletes will transition to their bikes, setting out on the 56-mile course which features gentle rolling hills through famous wine country and quaint towns. The City of Santa Rosa hosts transition two, where athletes will begin a tree lined half-marathon along the Santa Rosa Creek trail. The finish line will take place at the new Courthouse Square Park ideally located in downtown in Santa Rosa where great food and wine can be enjoyed by spectators.
Preserving portions of the iconic Ironman 70.3 Vineman course, the race will be a tour of Sonoma County's beautiful wine country and pastoral countryside, passing through famous grape growing regions including the Russian River Valley Region, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley. The 2017 Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa triathlon will offer 50 qualifying slots to the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship taking place in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In 2018, the race dates will bring calendar shifts for these two events. The 2018 Ironman Santa Rosa triathlon will move to May 12 in order to provide North American athletes an opportunity to race Ironman earlier in the season. The 2018 Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa triathlon will take place July 28.
General registration for Ironman Santa Rosa is available at www.ironman.com/santarosa. Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa general registration will open on October 25, 2016 at www.ironman.com/santarosa70.3.
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