A Vietnamese triathlete crosses the final line of the IRONMAN 70.3 Việt Nam last year. Nearly 3,000 athletes will be racing in the VINFAST IRONMAN 70.3 Việt Nam in Đà Nẵng on May 4-7. Photo courtesy of IRONMAN 70.3 Việt Nam

ĐÀ NẴNG — Nearly 3,000 athletes will race in the VINFAST IRONMAN 70.3 Việt Nam at the central city’s beach track on May 4-7.

The city’s sports and culture department confirmed that 307 children have registered to race in the Ironkids, while 250 runners will join the charity Newborns Việt Nam Runout.

It said the event would draw the participation of 2,200 volunteers and 7,500 visitors coming to Đà Nẵng during the three-day race with the motto 'Boundless Together', on the pristine white sand beach track.

Professional athletes will challenge in the men’s and women’s 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run on May 7 morning from the departure at the beach of the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa.

Fun runners will take on the Newborns Vietnam Runout from 6 to 7.30am on May 5, while IRONKIDS will test in aquathlon and triathlon of age groups of 5-7. 8-10, 11-12 and 13-15.

Sunrise Sprint Race Day will start their division on May 6.

Under the IRONMAN spirit, ‘Anything Is Possible’, the event organisers treasure the resilience and unity that each individual has demonstrated after overcoming the difficulties of the past two years, and people are united in spirit, allowing each member to conquer challenges and reach their full potential.

Triathletes take on a 1.9km swim track in the IRONMAN 70.3 Việt Nam. The 2023 edition will see a tough race among nearly 3,000 athletes. Photo courtesy of IRONMAN 70.3 Việt Nam

The event will showcase the beautiful city of Đà Nẵng, known as the ‘City of Bridges’ with the iconic Rồng (Dragon) Bridge, delivering the story of the Vietnamese ancient origin myth as ‘the descendants of the dragon, grandchildren of immortal sages’.

The Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa will be the host hotel and race central.

Last year's race drew 2,500 athletes, including more than 1,100 Vietnamese triathletes, and saw Hạnh Nguyễn and Australian Michael Cassinides winning the women’s and men’s divisions.

The event has continuously contributed to the triathlon community development in Việt Nam by creating virtual platforms and physical spaces for employees, partners, and non-professional teams to practise.

The 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam offers 30 age group qualifying slots to the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship on August 26-27th in Lahti, Finland, according to the event organisers. — VNS