Ironman, a triathlon course that requires participants to finish a 1.9-kilometer swim, 90.1-kilometer cycling track and 21.1-kilometer marathon in under 8.5 hours, is coming to the southern port city of Busan this summer.
Called 2016 Ironman 70.3 Busan, the World Triathlon Corporation-approved course will take place at 6 a.m. on June 19. It is the first edition to take place in Busan.
Ironman’s swimming course (Ironman Korea)
The swim, the first part of the course, will take place at Busan’s vacation hotspot Haeundae Beach. Participants will then cycle along the scenic Dalamaji-gil Road to the World Cup Village in Gijang-gun.
The third and last part of the course will be a circular marathon route around the Jwakwang River, after which participants will return to the World Cup Village.
The top 40 contestants will get the chance to participate in the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championships, set to take place in Australia this September.
Ironman’s cycling course (Ironman Korea)
The first place winners for the men’s and women’s elite categories, which consists of professional athletes, will be awarded $3,000 each. The prize money for second to fifth places are $2,000, $1,250, $750 and $500, respectively. Winners competing in the nonprofessional and team categories will receive trophies.
“This first edition of the Ironman course, taking place in Korea’s finest tourist site Haeundae Beach, is receiving much attention,” said chairman Park Byung-hoon of Ironman Korea. “We hope to spread awareness of our competition and that Busan will become an international city for sports.”
The official logo for 2016 Ironman 70.3 Busan (Ironman Korea)
Participants must be over 18 to apply. They can register at
www.ironman.com/busan70.3 until 5 p.m. on May 27. Fees are $230 per person for individual contestants and $280 per team. For inquiries, call (02) 415-7230 or email
busan70.3@ironman.com.
By Rumy Doo (
doo@heraldcorp.com)