Ironman World Championship

Ironman World Championship

 

In November, Ironman is coming to Clearwater. On the 8th of the month, the city will be the host of the 2008 Ironman 70.3 Series World Championships. Sponsored by Foster Grant, the event has become one of the world's most anticipated triathlon events, attracting the best and most-conditioned athletes on the planet.

Organized in 2006, the 70.3 Series includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile footrace. Since its inception, the world championship events have been held in Clearwater each November.

The world championships feature all the athletes that qualified by winning at 31 regional events held throughout the world in places as far away as Pucon, Chili; Hainan, China; Weisbaden, Germany; and the tiny kingdom of Monaco as well as at many qualifiers held throughout the U.S.

By the time the event begins, more than 1,800 competitors – both domestic and international – will have earned the right to be a part of this amazing athletic spectacle. A prize purse in excess of $100,000 will be awarded to those who walk away as champions in their category.

The event is divided into two categories featuring slots for pros slots and slots for competitors in various age groups. The former, of course, are professional athletes while the latter are amateurs. Each qualifier offers a different number of pro and age group spots. At the end of the Clearwater event, the top 10 male and female pros, plus each age group winner, will receive a slot in the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 Series World Championship.

 

About the Courses

What makes a triathlon a triathlon is that all three events are tackled back to back in just a matter of hours. That's what makes it so grueling and why competing in such events demands an incredible level of fitness.

On the day of the championships, the competition commences with the swimming portion of the Ironman. This 1.2-mile event begins and ends on the south side of Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach. Athletes swim in a clockwise direction and follow the buoys for .6 miles out into the middle of the ocean, at which time they turn around and head back to shore. All swims must be complete within 1 hour and 5 minutes of the final start time. Competitors start in "waves" according to age range, with professionals going first. Wet suits will probably be permitted if water temps are chilly. Practice swims happen prior to race day and can be viewed by spectators.

After the swim comes the cycling portion of the championship.  Athletes start at Pier 60 and travel west across the Memorial Causeway and through downtown Tampa. There's one 12 percent incline and a few other challenges but, in general, the course is straight and level and very fast. Three aid stations are set up along the course to assist any bikers in distress or help with equipment failure.

After biking for 56 miles, participants must complete a half-marathon. This 13.1-mile run is incredibly scenic but also quite challenging. It's a two-loop course that includes portions of Causeway Boulevard and the Memorial Causeway as well as part of the beautiful Pinellas Trail. The turn-around is at Pier 60 as is the finish line so spectators can watch the excitement. Aid stations are set up at each mile marker.

 

Post- and Pre-Race Events

Prior to the Ironman World Championships, athletes who've arrive in Clearwater a few days early – and sometimes their families or traveling companions – are invited to take part in a number of workshops, practices, and other pre-race events that get them ready for the triathlon, both physically and mentally.

After the race, an awards banquet is held for all competitors and their families and winners are announced and honored.

 

Volunteers

More than 2,000 Clearwater area residents come out each year to volunteer for the event, helping to make it a well-run success, paying particular attention to the health and safety of all participants. Volunteers might be assigned any number of jobs, from manning a registration table to helping out at aid stations along the various courses. The volunteer opportunity attracts both individuals and groups, who register months in advance for the honor of participating in the Ironman World Championships.