The 2017 VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam triathlon will take place in Da Nang on Sunday (7 May). Held in the city for the 3rd consecutive year, it is expected to attract around 1,350 athletes from 59 countries and territories around the world. For the 2nd consecutive year the number of Vietnamese athletes registered is the highest of all, at over 380.
Cyril Viennot and Caroline Steffen, who took the top spots in the 2016 VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam, will be returning to defend their titles. Also participating are the ‘Showdown Da Nang’ team which features 11 of the top age group athletes in the region, some of whom have finished as top overall age group winners in recent 70.3 races and/or were placed near the top of their age groups at the World Championships.
The team includes Andy Wibowo who has won or finished near the top at IRONMAN events throughout Asia; Colin O’Shea who came first in his age group at the 2015 IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam; David Watson a top athlete in his age group at regional IRONMAN races; Jacob Wissum who has won his age group at events such as the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai; and Assad Attamimi who was overall age group winner multiple times and was also 2nd in his age group at the 2015 IRONMAN World Championships in Kona.
Participants will compete in a 1.9km swim from Son Thuy Beach, a 2-loop 90km cycle race, and a 21km run along the coastline.
One highlight of this year’s event will be the prizes for the fastest bikers (male and female) through the specialized zone (see map). Timings will be taken on each leg (up and down) on each of the 2 laps, and the fastest male and female will each win a triathlon-specific Shiv bike.
As part of the commitment by the VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam partners to make a difference to the lives of the communities that host IRONMAN events, the ‘RUN OUT for Newborns Vietnam’ will take place on Friday (5 May).
The 2.8 km RUN OUT is from the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa to the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital. It aims to raise funds for Newborns Vietnam, a British charity based in the city which works to improve the survival rate and care of newborn infants in the city and neighbouring provinces.
On Saturday, an IRONKIDS Vietnam event, open to domestic and foreign children aged between 6 and 14, will take place at the Da Nang Swim Club on 2 September street.
On Sunday, another triathlon competition – the ‘Sunrise Sprint’ or S2 – will take place in the city for the first time. This is a shorter-distance triathlon featuring a 750m swim, a 20km cycle race, and a 5km run, and it is open to professional or amateur contestants from both home and abroad.
(Danang Today)
