IRONMAN announced today that Phu Quoc, Vietnam will play host to the newest IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon in Asia. The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc triathlon is scheduled to make its debut on Sunday, November 19, 2023, taking athletes on a fantastic tour of Vietnam’s largest island with turquoise waters and diverse tropical landscapes. General registration for the IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc triathlon will open on May 26, 2023, by visiting www.ironman.com/im703-phu-quoc.
“We could not be more excited to expand upon the success of last year’s Phu Quoc 5150™ race to showcase the remarkable beauty of Phu Quoc with an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon,” said Jeff Edwards, Managing Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group. “Phu Quoc provides a true holiday destination race venue, easily accessible from numerous airports in Southeast Asia.”
The IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc triathlon will begin with a 1.9 km (1.2-mile) swim, starting and finishing from a beautiful white sand beach along the Gulf of Thailand. The 90 km (56-mile) bike ride traverses the southern half of the island, before the event culminates with a flat and fast 21.1 km (13.1-mile) run with a seaside finish.
Kien Giang Department of Culture and Sports Deputy Director, Mr. Cong Nghiep Le, shared, “We are glad to have the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 event in Phu Quoc, which is a statement of our commitment to promoting sports and tourism in the province. This event will showcase the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region while also providing a platform for athletes from around the world to challenge themselves and achieve their goals. We look forward to welcoming participants, supporters, and spectators to this exciting event and are confident that it will help to elevate Phu Quoc's profile as a world-class sports and tourism destination.”
Mr. Quoc Huy Doan, Vice President and CEO of BIM Group, added, "Following the success of BIM Group 5150 Triathlon Phu Quoc, we decided to bring the first IRONMAN 70.3 event to Phu Quoc. This marks BIM Group's unremitting efforts towards the vision of Pearl Island as an outstanding destination in the region, befitting its potential. The IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon will be held at Phu Quoc Marina Integrated Resort Complex, a large-scale project developed in multiple stages and a unique resort and entertainment destination built with international standards, residing in the island’s center.
“The partnership with IRONMAN also demonstrates BIM Group’s vision of sustainability, which involves developing high-quality goods and services that benefit the environment, inspiring a healthy physical and mental lifestyle, and improving the community’s lives," he said.
Mr. Bang Trinh, Co-Founder of Sunrise Events Vietnam, affirmed, "We are thrilled to add a second IRONMAN 70.3 race in Phu Quoc to complement our first event in Da Nang, now one of the most popular IRONMAN 70.3 races in Southeast Asia. Having raced in IRONMAN races around the world, I believe the island of Phu Quoc represents an ideal destination with its beautiful beaches and world-class resorts and is certain to become a favorite race amongst athletes and their families in the years to come.
“IRONMAN’s impact in inspiring Vietnamese athletes to embrace triathlon and multi-sports cannot be understated. The mantra of “Anything is Possible®” is deeply rooted in the spirit of the Vietnamese people, and this new event will provide another opportunity for local athletes to enjoy the unforgettable experience of crossing the IRONMAN finish line while also offering our international athletes a taste of Vietnamese hospitality and culture," he said.
Phu Quoc is the ideal Southeast Asian destination to race and relax afterwards, with the holiday island known for its white-sand beaches, local delicacies, and resorts. For those looking to spend time in nature before or after race day more than half of the island is a part of Phu Quoc National Park, featuring mountains, tropical jungles, hiking trails and wildlife, with the park declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010.
The 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc triathlon will offer qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon taking place in Taupo, New Zealand.
For more information about the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc triathlon, visit www.ironman.com/im703-phu-quoc. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, please visit www.ironman.com.