Defending champions return for this year's Ironman 70.3 UK

Ritchie Nicholls and Eimear Mullan to defend their titles in Wimbleball next month against big names including Tim Don and Daniel Halksworth

Published: May 21, 2014 at 9:51 am

Ritchie Nicholls wins Ironman 70.3 UK

Last year's Ironman 70.3 winners Ritchie Nicholls and Eimear Mullan are set to defend their titles in Wimbleball next month, when they line up against a strong field which includes 220 columnist Tim Don and Ironman UK champion Daniel Halksworth.

"I’m really looking forward to racing on home soil at Wimbleball again - it’s a fantastic event,” said Nicholls, who crossed the line last year in 4:15:04.

“Last year was my first 70.3 and despite Eimear’s attempts to warn me about how tough the course was I didn’t quite appreciate her words of wisdom! So second time around, together with a year of racing long distance under my belt, I can head into the race better prepared to defend my title."

The sell-out event takes place on Sunday 15 June and will see nearly 2,000 athletes take on a 1.9km swim in Wimbleball Lake, followed by a 90km bike leg which entails 52 hills and 1190m of climbing, finishing with a 21.1km run over mixed terrain that also includes a leg-bursting hill climb.

Will you be racing at Wimbleball this year? How are preparations going, feeling ready for it? Let us know in the comments below!