Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region in the sport with the addition of a new event in Indonesia The popularity of IRONMAN triathlon in Asia-Pacific continues with the addition of the Swiss-Belhotel IRONMAN 70.3 Bintan in Indonesia. The popular MetaMan Bintan triathlon event has joined the IRONMAN kin, making it the 16th IRONMAN 70.3 in the region, with the inaugural event on August 23 this year.
It will become one of the first qualifying races for the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship to be held in Sunshine Coast, Australia.
Just a short ferry ride from Singapore, the MetaMan Bintan triathlon started in 2012, offering both full distance and long distance races. Set on the beautiful beach resort of Bintan in Indonesia, MetaMan became a must-do race for many triathletes.
The course for IRONMAN 70.3 Bintan will take athletes on an impressive journey around Bintan Island. The 1.9 km swim in calm and crystal-clear waters, a scenic one-lap 90km bike on smooth, wide roads and a spectator-friendly, three-lap 21 km run.
"We are thrilled to add another race in Asia-Pacific in association with MetaSport, who ran the MetaMan event which was well-established in the region. MetaSport have done a great job growing this event and we look forward to working with them and continuing our strong commitment to growing the sport across Asia," says Geoff Meyer, IRONMAN Asia-Pacific CEO.
IRONMAN 70.3 Bintan, Indonesia will be open to relay teams and will also include an IRONKIDS event as well as a shorter AquaBike and Bintain Blitz triathlon for individuals or relay teams.
"After many successful years of hosting MetaMan, our long distance triathlon event in Bintan, Indonesia, we are delighted to be joining the IRONMAN 70.3 family. The appetite for triathlon is strong in our region and I can think of no better place to bring a world championship qualifier," says MetaSport Managing Director Nathalie Marquet.
Bintan is a stunning island paradise providing endless beaches, a wide variety of international-class resorts and tropical holiday activities including golf, spas, and water sports. Its close proximity to Singapore gives visitors the best of both worlds – a vibrant city to go with a beautiful beach holiday.
Entries for IRONMAN 70.3 Bintan, Indonesia have already opened with the race offering US$25,000 professional prize purse and 40 age group qualifying slots for the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Sunshine Coast, Australia.