Iron Man Triathalon Set for May 13 in PCB
Ironman 70.3 Gulf Coast—a grueling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride and marathon-length (26.2-mile) run—will take place May 13, at Panama City Beach. An Ironman Triathlon, one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation, is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. Fifty competitors in the race will be offered a slot in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, set for September 9 and 10 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The race will begin with an open-water swim along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico, followed by an out-and-back bike ride through the rural areas of Bay County and Panama City Beach. Much like Ironman Florida, the bike course is flat and fast, for athletes looking to obtain a personal best. The 13.1-mile run will feature some of the most picturesque beachfront areas in the area, with a spectacular finish at the Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort.
The first Ironman took place in February 1978, when John and Judy Collins organized the first endurance triathlon around the island of Oahu, Hawaii. “Whoever finishes first, we’ll call the Ironman,” John Collins reportedly said, and the Ironman triathlon has been one of the world's most popular endurance events ever since.
Not only is the distance grueling, but there’s a time limit for each segment. Most Ironman events allow participants 17 hours to complete all three legs of the race. The race begins at 7 a.m. The swim must be complete in 2 hours and 20 minutes; the bike ride must be done by 5:30 p.m.; and the marathon must be finished by midnight.
The race will begin with an open-water swim along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico, followed by an out-and-back bike ride through the rural areas of Bay County and Panama City Beach. Much like Ironman Florida, the bike course is flat and fast, for athletes looking to obtain a personal best. The 13.1-mile run will feature some of the most picturesque beachfront areas in the area, with a spectacular finish at the Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort.
The first Ironman took place in February 1978, when John and Judy Collins organized the first endurance triathlon around the island of Oahu, Hawaii. “Whoever finishes first, we’ll call the Ironman,” John Collins reportedly said, and the Ironman triathlon has been one of the world's most popular endurance events ever since.
Not only is the distance grueling, but there’s a time limit for each segment. Most Ironman events allow participants 17 hours to complete all three legs of the race. The race begins at 7 a.m. The swim must be complete in 2 hours and 20 minutes; the bike ride must be done by 5:30 p.m.; and the marathon must be finished by midnight.
Registration for Ironman 70.3 Gulf Coast at Ironman.com/gulfcoast70.3.
