IRONMAN has today announced that IRONMAN® 70.3® racing will take place in a new Chinese destination in 2026, with the IRONMAN 70.3 Hengqin triathlon joining the global series of events.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Hengqin triathlon will be held in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with the event set to be held for the first time on 15 March 2026.
Located within easy reach of major centers including Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao the event will provide an ideal opportunity for those keen to race in the region for the first time, and for local triathletes looking for a new challenge, to be involved.
The new event will see athletes take on a 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run, exploring the diverse local scenery.
Jeff Edwards, Managing Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group, said that the launch of the IRONMAN Hengqin triathlon was exciting for athletes from the region and around the world.
“We’re excited to be introducing a brand-new IRONMAN 70.3 race to China and look forward to welcoming athletes from China and abroad to Hengqin in March next year. The new event is located close to major centers with connections across the world, making it an ideal location for those wanting to make their race debut in the region, while also providing an exciting new race for our loyal local athletes,” said Edwards. “The course is set to take in the incredible scenery of the region, mixing the city skyline, mountains and the sea, with a new vista around every corner.”
Centered around the concepts of an ‘Eco-Course’ and ‘Island Charm,’ the IRONMAN 70.3 Hengqin triathlon showcases the natural assets and cultural heritage of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone on the southern Chinese island of Hengqin.
Athletes will begin their day with a rolling start, entering the water from the beach opposite the southwest side of Tianmu Qintai to complete the 1.9km swim course.
The bike course consists of two laps around the Hengqin Cultural and Arts Center, covering 90km with 238m of elevation gain. Along the route, athletes will experience the distinctive skyline where mountains, sea and city converge, seeing first-hand the development progress of the Cooperation Zone, traversing the Mangzhou Wetland.
The run segment is a flat, looped course across 21.1km with 117m of elevation gain, passing through scenic areas like Haojian Road and Central Avenue, and the Flower Sea Promenade, connecting the region’s landmark urban attractions, before crossing the finish line at Tianmu Qintai.
Entries for the IRONMAN 70.3 Hengqin triathlon open at 10am (China Standard Time) on Friday 21 November.
For more information on the IRONMAN 70.3 Hengqin visit: https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-hengqin.