WELLINGTON: Ironman announced Thursday that it has awarded the hosting rights for the 2020 World Championships to the city of Taupo in New Zealand, marking the first instance of the country hosting an event of such prestige in the sport. The event will also move from its traditional late August-early September race date and will now take place on 28-29 November with the women racing on Saturday and the men racing on Sunday. This shift will take advantage of New Zealand’s peak time of year with mild temperatures in their late spring early summer months.
Taupo has hosted the Ironman New Zealand triathlon since 1999, and in 2017 received the Athletes’ Choice Awards for Best Host City Experience, Best Race Venue, Best Overall Run, Will Attend Next Year; becoming one of IRONMAN’s most iconic and popular events. The city also plays host to Ironman 70.3 Taupõ triathlon which earned the Ironman 70.3 Athletes’ Choice Award for Overall Satisfaction.
“We are pleased to bring the Ironman 70.3 World Championship back to the Oceania region,” Ironman CEO and President Andrew Messick said.
“Taupo is a truly unique and beautiful destination with a local community that has embraced Ironman events and the thousands of athletes for 20 years now. We are excited to welcome some of the world’s most elite triathletes to what will no doubt be a fantastic world championship event.”
Athletes will have the chance to qualify for the 2020 event at over 110 global qualifying events in locations such as Austria, China, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Sweden and the Americas and expects to attract more than 5,000 athletes.
“The two-day event attracts around 5,000 competitors, 13,500 supporters and attracts media from all four corners of the globe,” Taupo district mayor David Trewavas said.
“This is as big as it is ever going to get. We are talking the best of the best. Winning the hosting rights for this event not only re-emphasises that our district is the Events Capital, but it also further cements Taupo as being the home of all things Ironman in New Zealand.”
“In Ironman circles, this is equivalent to the Rugby World Cup or Americas Cup so we have the opportunity to deliver something really special,” Taupo district events manager Steve Giles said.
“This will give our community a chance to not only volunteer in an international event, but also to showcase our district like never before.”
