After being forced to cancel last year’s event due to Covid-19 restrictions, Costa Navarino, in the Messinia region of the Peloponnese, are welcoming triathlon athletes from all over the world once again, to take part in the demanding Ironman 70,3 race, on October 24.
The route, which is at once punishing and beautiful, comprises a 1.9 km swim in the Ionian Sea, a 90 km cycling leg and a half marathon, in which the athletes pass through the villages of Romanos and Petrochori, and groves of citrus and ancient olive trees. To finish the race and be dubbed Ironmen/women, athletes must cover the distance in 8,5 hours or less.
Ironman is the name of the most famous triathlon challenge in the world, founded in Hawaii in 1978 and originally covering a total of 226 km (140.6 miles). Today, the Ironman and its little brother, the Ironman 70,3 event (half the length of the original Ironman challenge), are hosted all around the world.
In 2019, an Ironman 70,3 challenge was hosted in Greece, at Costa Navarino, for the first time. The event proved a great success, constituting the biggest triathlon, as well as the largest bike race, and the largest open water swimming competition ever held in Greece, drawing 1500 athletes from 61 countries.
The first athletes who’ll cross the finish line of Ironman 70,3 Greece, Costa Navarino 2021 will be qualified to race in the Ironman 70,3 World Championship, to be held in St. George, Utah, USA, in 2022.
While most slots have been filled, registration for the race is still open. Register, if you dare, and find more information, including the race routes, the event schedule and travel information, here.
