The IRONMAN Group announced today that Toyohashi and the Atsumi Peninsula will play host to the newest IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon. The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Japan – Higashimikawa triathlon is scheduled to make its debut on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Athletes will take on a journey as they will embark past some of the Atsumi Peninsula’s most beautiful coastline and agricultural landscapes. General registration for the IRONMAN 70.3 Japan – Higashimikawa triathlon will open on Feb. 15, 2023, by visiting, www.ironman.com/im703-japan.
“We could not be more excited to return to Japan for an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon,” said Jeff Edwards, Managing Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group. “The Atsumi Peninsula provides a fascinating backdrop of shoreline vistas and agricultural villages. The 90 km single-loop bike course is certain to please all athletes. Toyohashi station is a quick high-speed train ride from Tokyo. We look forward to offering a new IRONMAN 70.3 race opportunity in Japan.”
IRONMAN 70.3 Japan – Higashimikawa will treat athletes to a 1.9 km swim in Atsumi Bay at Shiroya Beach Park, a scenic one-loop 90 km bike ride around the Atsumi Peninsula, culminating with a fast point-to-point 21.1 km run from Shiroya Beach Park to a unique finish at Toyohashi Sports Park.
“It is our great honor and pleasure to bring back a Japan IRONMAN race to the Higashi Mikawa region after an absence of three years,” said Hiroshi Otsuka, director of the East Mikawa Community Sports Development Foundation, “We intend to show visitors our great Higashi Mikawa landscapes and hospitality. Our community is looking forward to hosting an international IRONMAN 70.3 event.”
Taro Shirato, chairman of Athlonia Triathlon, further highlighted the return of IRONMAN racing to Japan, “We are tremendously excited to move IRONMAN 70.3 to the Atsumi Peninsula with courses that showcase the fantastic terrain and culture of the region.”
Located on the southeast aspect of Honshu Island, the Atsumi Peninsula of Aichi Prefecture is a national treasure just 300 km from Tokyo. It is a region with great environmental and economic diversity. Spectacular stone and sand beaches ring calm bays as well as rugged shorelines that feature some of Japan’s best surfing. The productive agricultural zones benefit from a temperate climate with world-renowned muskmelons and flowers such as hydrangeas and chrysanthemums featured. With access to three international airports and an extensive train system, Athletes who come by plane, train, or automobile will have plenty of offerings to enjoy and support their experience on the Atsumi Peninsula at IRONMAN 70.3 Japan Higashimikawa.
General registration for the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Japan – Higashimikawa triathlon will open Feb. 15, 2023. The 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Japan – Higashimikawa triathlon will offer qualifying slots to the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Lahti, Finland.
For more information about the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Japan – Higashimikawa triathlon www.ironman.com/im703-japan. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, please visit www.ironman.com.