SAN JUAN, P.R., March 8, 2011– On Saturday, March 19th at sundown, 1,800 triathletes will begin the challenge of the World Triathlon Corporation’s (WTC) Ironman 70.3 San Juan. Kicking off the organization’s 70.3 series, the San Juan event is part of the fastest growing triathlon competition in the world with qualifying events hosted around the world leading up to the Ironman World Championship 70.3 to be held in Clearwater, FL in November 2011.
This sold out elite sporting event was secured for the Island through the efforts of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. Considered a ‘citywide’ convention by the organization, the Bureau estimates an infusion of nearly $1.7 million into the local economy as a result of the competition. Predictions are based on hotel room costs, expenditures on dining, ground transportation, sight-seeing, shopping and other activities by participants.
“We are thrilled about the level of enthusiasm among triathletes to participate in the WTC’s inaugural San Juan triathlon event,” stated Ramón Sánchez, executive vice president and COO, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. “In addition to providing an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our destination to the participants, it also demonstrates to event organizers our ability to host world-class sporting competitions on the Island.”
Official host hotels include the Caribe Hilton and the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino. Participants will begin arriving on March 14 and on Thursday, March 17th a full schedule of activities will commence, including a Welcome Dinner, training and racing lectures by top triathletes, a sports Expo at the Caribe Hilton and mandatory race briefings. To-date, a total of 1,878 room nights have been booked by the triathletes, their friends and family members, already exceeding the number of room bookings expected from the group.
During the Ironman 70.3 San Juan triathlon, which begins at 7 p.m. on March 19th, competitors will swim 1.2 miles in the protected waters of San Juan Bay and will transition facing the Puerto Rico Convention Center — a prime viewing location for spectators. Continuing with a 56-mile bike from San Juan, athletes will cycle toward the municipality of Dorado, offering beachfront views and several short, but challenging climbs. The 13.1-mile run will lead athletes through the city of Old San Juan and past 16th-century Spanish architecture, including the famous Fort San Felipe del Morro.
In summing up the Island’s attributes to the sports market, Sánchez stated “Puerto Rico offers an optimal setting for athletes and spectators. Our favorable weather, natural and historic beauty, fine range of accommodations and price points as well as easy air access make Puerto Rico a prime sporting destination.”
