ĐÀ NẴNG — The central city has been selected as a host of the Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship in 2019. It will offer a US$75,000 cash-prize for professional competitors.

The event organising committee said the beach track and sea swimming route in Đà Nẵng has been as a favourite rendezvous for triathletes from 60 countries and territories racing in the annual Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam since 2015, and the race has been promoted as a regional event.

At the 2019 Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship, triathletes will battle for 50 qualifying age group slots for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France later in 2019.

Director of the city’s culture and sports department Huỳnh Văn Hùng said Đà Nẵng is proud to be a host of the regional Ironman Championship after organising four successful Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam races.

He said the city has seen positive effects from the Ironman race for the community and the city is committed to continue supporting the Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship next year.

Hùng also called for all athletes and tourists coming to Đà Nẵng to experience not only the international-standard triathlon but also the beauty of the pristine sandy beach and the hospitality of the city’s people.

The 2019 race will open registration for all athletes on August 24, 2018 at https://www.ironman.com/vietnam70.3. Athletes can also email: im703vietnam@Sunriseevents.com.vn

Last year, more than 1,600 people from 56 countries and territories, including 600 from Việt Nam, raced in the Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam.

The 1.9km swim course of Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam was voted ‘Best Triathlon Swim Short Course 2017’ by multi-sport magazine AsiaTri.

The Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam race has helped raise more than US$50,000 to support the charity Newborns Vietnam.

The central city has also agreed to host the event in Đà Nẵng until 2022.

Việt Nam is the 30th country in the world and the eighth Asia-Pacific country to host an Ironman triathlon. — VNS