Da Nang has been selected as a host of the Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship in 2019 which will offer a 75,000 USD cash-prize for professional competitors.

The event's organisers said that the beach track and sea swimming route in Da Nang has been as a favourite rendezvous for triathletes from 60 countries and territories worldwide racing in the annual Ironman 70.3 Viet Nam since 2015, and the race has been promoted as a regional event.

At the 2019 Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship, triathletes will battle for 50 qualifying age group slots for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France later in 2019.

Director of the city’s Culture and Sports Department Huynh Van Hung said that his city is proud to be a host of the regional Ironman Championship after organising four successful Ironman 70.3 Viet Nam races.

He said the city has seen positive effects from the Ironman race for the community, and the city is committed to continue supporting the Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship next year.

Mr Hung also called for all athletes and tourists coming to Da Nang to experience not only the international-standard triathlon but also the beauty of the pristine sandy beach and the hospitality of the city’s people.

The 2019 race will open registration for all athletes on August 24, 2018 at http://www.ironman.com/vietnam70.3. Athletes can also email: im703vietnam@Sunriseevents.com.vn

Last year, more than 1,600 people from 56 countries and territories around the world, including 600 from Viet Nam, raced in the Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Viet Nam.

The 1.9km swim course of Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Viet Nam was voted ‘Best Triathlon Swim Short Course 2017’ by multi-sport magazine AsiaTri.

The Techcombank Ironman 70.3 Viet Nam race has helped raise more than US$50,000 to support the charity Newborns Vietnam.

The central city has also agreed to host the event until 2022.

Viet Nam is the 30^th country in the world and the eighth Asia-Pacific country to host an Ironman triathlon.

(Source: VNS/ DA NANG Today)