IRONMAN announced today that it will add a fourth race in Italy in 2021 – the IRONMAN® 70.3® Venice-Jesolo triathlon. The inaugural event will be held on May 2, 2021 and joins the three existing IRONMAN® events in Italy – IRONMAN® Italy, Emilia-Romagna (Sept. 19, 2020 – sold out), IRONMAN® 70.3® Italy, Emilia-Romagna (September 20, 2020 – sold out) and
IRONMAN® 70.3® Sardegna (Oct. 25, 2020 – registration open).
Located 18 km Northeast of its world-famous neighbor Venice or “La Serenissima”, Jesolo today is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Italy and Central Europe. With a history that traces back more than 1500 years, Jesolo boasts seemingly endless beaches and a distinctive natural lagoon overlooked by the famous lighthouse located at Jesolo Beach or Lido di Jesolo. The race site is easily accessible by car and train and located only 30 minutes away from Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport as well as 40 minutes from Treviso International Airport.
“The city of Venice and the surrounding region are arguably one of the best-known destinations in the world and we are thrilled to add this race venue to next year’s race calendar,” said Stefan Petschnig, Managing Director for IRONMAN® Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Also, there is only one thing Italians are more passionate about than sports and that is their incredible hospitality. We are looking forward to our fourth event in Italy and an amazing race location right at the Adriatic Sea,” he added.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity of hosting such an extraordinary event as the IRONMAN® 70.3® race. Our city is well known for its 15 kilometers of golden sand that embraces the Adriatic and for the enchanting landscapes that can be found in the Northern Lagoon of Venice, a UNESCO heritage site that Jesolo overlooks,” said Valerio Zoggia, Mayor of Jesolo. “However, the location is also known for the link it has with sport. Thousands of athletes have tested their skills in a variety of disciplines and with the IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon, we have an event that will bring sports lovers to push the limit.”
"The Italian triathlon calendar is enriched with this new event in a location with high tourist appeal,” said Luigi Bianchi, president of the Italian Triathlon Federation. “Such an important event, in addition to the clear attraction from a sporting point of view, presents a solid opportunity related to hospitality. We know the popularity of IRONMAN® events and I hope that next year’s inaugural race can serve as a stimulus for a positive restart after a season impacted by the almost total blockade as a result of the global pandemic. I am sure that the collaboration between FITRI and IRONMAN, which has been ongoing for several years, will continue into the future, providing excellent events in the world of triathlon. We are all curious and excited to experience the first edition of IRONMAN® 70.3® Venice-Jesolo on May 2 in 2021, which I hope will follow in the footsteps of IRONMAN Italy Emilia Romagna as far as attendance and satisfaction from athletes and people involved in the field are concerned."
Starting at the popular Lido di Jesolo, athletes will complete a single-loop swim course of 1.9km (1.2 miles) in the Adriatic Sea. With the lighthouse as the backdrop, athletes will get a true feel for the destination right from the start before delving deeper into the Veneto region on the bike.
Athletes will enjoy a single loop 90.1km (56 mile) bike course, where they will discover charming locations that showcase the beauty of the Veneto region. Traversing the northern and southern expanses of Jesolo, the course will take athletes across both sides of the Sile river. After crossing the Sile, the course heads south taking athletes in the direction of Venice towards Punta Sabbioni where it skirts the Venetian Lagoon before returning north to Lido di Jesolo to start the run.
The 21.1km (13.1 mile) run course consists of two loops, crossing the Jesolo promenade for a beautifully coastal route taking in one of Europe’s longest pedestrian roads. An ideal supporter hotspot, the promenade not only offers views of the Adriatic, but also gives athletes the opportunity to enjoy the cheers from their supporters all the way to the finish line at the Lighthouse Beach.
The 2020 IRONMAN® 70.3® Venice-Jesolo triathlon will offer qualifying slots to the 2021 IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship in St. George, Utah, USA.
General registration for IRONMAN® 70.3® Venice-Jesolo will open on June 30, 2020. For more information please visit www.ironman.com/im703-venice-jesolo or direct inquiries to venicejesolo70.3@ironman.com.
For more information on the IRONMAN® brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.