Ironman will add its very first race in Russia – IRONMAN 70.3 St. Petersburg.
The inaugural triathlon will take place in St. Petersburg and be held on July 19, 2020. This is the 12th new race location announced for the 2020 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 race calendar, further providing race opportunities globally.
Stefan Petschnig, Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa for The Ironman Group, said: “This is a historic day for Ironman and triathlon. We are delighted to welcome Russia and St. Petersburg to our series of events as we continue to bring racing opportunities to people around the world. Sport has the ability to transform and bring people together from all cultures, countries and continents. My compliments go out to the local organising team and the City of St. Petersburg officials who have worked hard to bring an Ironman 70.3 event to this beautiful city. It has been nothing short of impressive.”
The 1,9 km (1.2-mile) swim course is located in the historic St. Petersburg rowing channel, also home to the St. Petersburg Rowing Championship held annually. The 90.1km (56-mile) bike course promises to be a major attraction as athletes will start on the rise of the impressive Yacht Bridge, heading towards Lake Lahtinskiy Razliv. At approximately 17km (10 miles), athletes will reach what is arguably the most picturesque part of the course as they ride 28km (17 miles) along the St. Petersburg seawall where athletes will be able to see some of the marine fortifications created by Tsar Peter I. The furthest part of the bike course takes athletes to the walled town of Kronstadt, an old key naval defence location for St. Petersburg and part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Group of Monuments. With a total of 435m of climbing and three loops in total, the race is expected to be fast and filled with great views.
Heading out onto the 21.1km (13.1-mile) run course, athletes will explore the spectacular Yelagin Island, home to Yelagin Palace, before heading to the finish line near the Gazprom Arena stadium.
The 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 St. Petersburg will offer age-group qualifying slots to the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in St. George, Utah, USA.
General registration for IRONMAN 70.3 St. Petersburg will open on December 5, 2019.
For more information please visit ironman.com/im703-st-petersburg, or direct inquiries to stpetersburg70.3@ironman.com.
