Posted: August 28, 2007

Triathlon: Facts and Figures of the 3rd Monaco Ironman 70.3

Monaco Ironman 70.3 is one out of about 40 IRONMAN labelled triathlon races, but it definitely is the Formula 1 of Triathlon! With a promising field of professional athletes, almost 800 amateur athletes representing 42 different nationalities and the exceptional setting, this race is one of a kind. The triathlon will combine swimming in the Mediterranean, cycling through the hilly hinterland and conclude with running along the famous Formula 1 circuit. Athletes can win qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida as well as for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. The Monaco Ironman 70.3 entails a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle, and 21.1km run. The SWIM starts at 7h00 on the Larvotto Beach. The cycle will cross the Principality’s hinterland and its beautiful villages and overwhelming sceneries. The half-marathon course retraces the world famous Formula 1 circuit including everything from the tunnel to the port, from the Rascasse to the hairpin bend. The winner is expected to cross the finish line at 11h10 at the foot of the Hotel the Paris just next to the Monte Carlo Casino. Already 800 athletes representing no less than 42 countries have signed up for the race on 2nd of September 2007. The triathletes are between 19 and 70 years old while the average age is of 38. The percentage of female entrants is higher than in any other Ironman race: 13 % of all participants are female in Monte Carlo while generally women represent 10% in other races. An exceptional setting and unique qualifying opportunities for World Championships are not the only remarkable aspect Monaco has to offer. The Monaco Ironman 70.3 has one of the World’s best PROs fields at the start. Chris McCormack from Australia, Lothar Leder of Germany, Luc van Lierde of Belgium, and Patrick Bringer of France are just some of the names in the PRO field. The Monaco Ironman 70.3 is the Formula 1 of Triathlon, and it will be hard for last year’s champ Marcel Zamora of Spain to defend his pole position. Former PRO cyclist Kai Hundertmarck from Germany will be at the starting line in Monaco as well. During Ironman Austria in July this year he placed 4th after not only a great bike race, but also an impressive marathon. Hundertmarck began racing triathlons after stopping his cycling career in 2004 and will meet another former PRO cyclist at the World Championships in Hawaii: French Laurent Jalabert who did his first Ironman race in June. On the women’s side, the race will be just as spectacular. Ironman Austria 2004 winner, Hungarian Erika Csomor and the Xterra vice-world champion 2005, Sybille Matter of Switzerland will assure an exciting women’s race until the finish line, while the winner of the first edition in 2005 and the winner of Ironman France in Nice earlier this year, Alexandra Louison, is back to attempt to win this race. The most promising athlete from the Principality is Hervé Banti who hopes to better last year’s result. A lot of attention will be focused on Herve, as the race organisers announce a novelty in this third edition: For the first time in 2007, the Monaco Ironman 70.3 will be the Monegasque Triathlon Championship rewarding the best athlete amongst all the participants affiliated to the A.S. Monaco. The race will be covered live on the Internet on www.ironman.com and broadcasts on various TV stations in Monaco, France and abroad are scheduled. Photos are available for download on the official website www.monaco-ironman.com>MediaCenter>Photos. The website is: www.monaco-ironman.com. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest