Date for Ironman China 2010

The third annual Ironman China and Ironman China 70.3 will be held on March 14th 2010. The month-earlier date than previous years provides two big advantages for the event: better weather and a date that no longer conflicts with the Boao Forum, a very high profile economic summit that commands significant time and attention from the local government.



“After two years of unbelievably bad luck with the elements we thought a change of date might be good for our weather-karma” said Race Director, Tinny Tung. An early March date dramatically decreases the chances for a hot race day. Typical temperatures for March in Hainan Island are in the balmy low-20s compared to the mid to high-30s that the race has endured for the past two years.



While the land course will remain largely unchanged, the 2010 swim course will be new and element-proof. In 2008 Typhoon Neoguri struck the island in the days prior to the race leaving stronger than normal currents in the South China Sea; the 2009 swim course was moved to the shelter of the Nandu River but unseasonably heavy rains resulted in a river speed that was unmanageable for weaker swimmers on the up-river course legs. While remaining in the Nandu River, the new course will be a point-to-point entirely down river course.



The highlights of Ironman China's course will remain the same: the much loved bike leg that take athletes to rural villages, via wide and clear highways, has been heralded as the highlight of China's destination Ironman race, along with the run course which winds through the bustling market streets of Haikou's old town to end, nestled between two lakes, in the city centre's People's Park.



Ironman China 2009 was won by Rasmus Henning; the Danish champ has since gone on to win every race that he has entered this year and many consider him to be a likely contender for the title at the Ford Ironman World Champion in Kona, Hawaii this October. Women's winner, Australian Charlotte Paul, had the fastest overall run split of the day at Ironman China 2009 in 3:37. Ironman 70.3 China was won by former Ford Ironman World Champion, Chris McCormack.



Registration for Ironman China and Ironman 70.3 China 2010 opens on 3rd August 2009. Both races will be held on the same day, March 14th in Haikou, Hainan Island, China. www.ironmanchina.com