The team at IRONMAN 70.3 Taupõ, the Taupõ District Council (responsible for the bid) and all stakeholders aligned with
the event are in celebration mode with news today from IRONMAN®- a Wanda Sports holding company, has awarded Taupõ the
rights to the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, the first time that IRONMAN has hosted a World Championship in New
Zealand.
The event will be hosted on November 28 and 29 2020, with men and women racing across the two days, with more than 5,000
athletes expected to descend on the central north island town that surely now can lay claim to be the triathlon capital
of New Zealand.
Race Director and Taupõ resident Wayne Reardon spoke of his immense pride, not only in the event, but in the community
and the Taupõ District Council that has supported the sport there for so many years.
“After 20 years of the Taupõ community producing world class IRONMAN and 70.3 events in, we have the ultimate reward in
being named to host the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in 2020.
“The feedback from IRONMAN is that Taupõ was chosen due to its long history with the sport, the on-going legacy left in
the community, an outstanding and award-winning environment, the unique cultural experience we deliver for the athletes,
and the way the community will embrace the event.
“As a longtime resident of this beautiful town, I'm very proud of the community in the way they support these events and
I have no doubt that they will rally with even greater numbers and enthusiasm for an event that will bring thousands of
international visitors to our region.
“This is one of the most significant dates in the global triathlon calendar and is a coup for our sport in New Zealand
to host such a pinnacle event. Through the global series thousands of international athletes will qualify to race and
they'll be welcomed to Taupõ by a community that is passionate about culture, people, events and IRONMAN. Our team is
looking forward to creating an inspirational and unforgettable experience.”
The news is expected to provide a further boost to IRONMAN 70.3 Taupõ 2018 and 2019, with a likely surge in interest as
athletes look to familiarize themselves with the course and the region. 2018 is already at record levels, with this news
set to give numbers another boost.
The announcement was made in Hawaii during the lead up to the 40th anniversary IRONMAN World Championship (this Sunday
NZT), brought to you by Amazon.
“We are pleased to bring the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship back to the Oceania region,” said Andrew Messick, CEO and
President of IRONMAN. “Taupõ is a truly unique and beautiful destination with a local community that has embraced
IRONMAN events and the thousands of athletes for 20 years now. We are excited to welcome some of the world’s most elite
triathletes to what will no doubt be a fantastic world championship event.”
For more information about the event, please visit www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/ironman-70.3/world-championship. For media related inquiries, please email press@ironman.com.
ENDS