Staffordshire Ironman saved and moved to Stafford town centre
Staffordshire Ironman has been saved and will remain in the county for the next three years, it has been announced.
The popular IRONMAN 70.3 event, which has been in the county since 2015, was left without a home after the Shugborough Estate, where the race was based, said it would no longer be hosting the event.
Staffordshire County Council had said the event, which has previously attracted celebrity names such as chef Gordon Ramsay and TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, would remain in the county but concerns were raised that the event might have to be scrapped if a home could not be found.
MORE: Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire: Hundreds brave heat for big challenge - with PICTURES and VIDEO
Now however it has been revealed that the race will be based in Stafford Town Centre, with the athlete village, expo, second transition area, run course and finish line all being based there.
The move to the town centre will also see a change to the run course with the second transition area located at Riverway and the run course consisting of three laps in and around the town centre, finishing in Market Square. The bike course will undergo some minor changes, which are yet to be announced, while the swim part of the gruelling race will remain at Chasewater.
Lisa Dent, the race director for Staffordshire's Ironman, said: "Having seen the event grow, we are excited that IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire will be ongoing for another three years. The race has become one of the UK’s biggest and most popular events and we are confident that the changes will improve the experience of the athletes while also truly incorporating the town of Stafford.
"We are intent on working closely with Staffordshire County Council and Stafford Borough Council to ensure that we maintain the high standards previously set and create a world class race experience for our athletes."
Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for economic growth, added: “IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire has fast become one of the county’s major sporting events, so we’re really pleased to be able to continue this and showcase what a fantastic county Staffordshire is to live, work and visit. By bringing the race to Stafford Town Centre we can ensure even more people will have the opportunity to get involved, and more local businesses will benefit.”
After three years, the event has grown to become the biggest IRONMAN 70.3 race in the UK. Since 2015 8,000 athletes have competed in the race, includingsome of the UK and the world’s best professional athletes.
In 2015 the event became the fastest selling IRONMAN 70.3 race in the UK, selling out within minutes.
Patrick Farrington, the leader of Stafford Borough Council, said: “We are very pleased to have helped bring IRONMAN 70.3 into the heart of our county town and we look forward to welcoming the athletes, their families and supporters.
“We already stage fantastic events in the centre of Stafford – including the half marathon and Stafford 10k – and, with the final leg of the IRONMAN 70.3 now finishing in the town, this is a great addition to our sporting calendar as well as helping provide a boost for the local economy.”
“We have great places to stay, visit, shop, and eat, and there will be large and enthusiastic crowds to cheer you on with a fantastic setting for the finish of the race.”
The 2018 edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire will take place on Sunday 10 June, with general entries will opening next month on September 13. For more details visit www.ironman.com/staffordshire70.3. Detailed course maps and descriptions will be released at a later date.
