TRIATHLON

Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand Named Asia-Pacific Military Division Qualifying Race for 2017 Ironman World Championship

By Sports Media NZ Ltd

Following the enormously successful Military Division Qualifying Race at the 2016 Cairns Airport IRONMAN® Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns, IRONMAN is excited to announce that the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand triathlon on 4 March 2017 will serve as the IRONMAN Military Division Qualifying Race for the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship.

The IRONMAN Military Division is a growing global programme open to amateur, active duty Military personnel from around the world. In its second year the IRONMAN Military Division has had fantastic support from active duty military across many nationalities and services.

“We see enormous potential for this global programme to continue to grow, driving an exciting and competitive element for the host destination race. Our vision is for hundreds of athletes from across the world to compete annually for these prized IRONMAN World Championship Military Division slots,” IRONMAN Oceania Managing Director Dave Beeche said.

In 2017, not only will military personnel have the chance to qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i, they will do so at one of the world’s oldest IRONMAN events.
Firmly established in its hometown of Taupo since 1999, the event showcases the best New Zealand and its breathtaking scenery have to offer. Thanks to the locals' pure Kiwi spirit, you will feel like a local the minute you arrive. The event attracts more than 2,200 volunteers from a population of just 32,000—and you'll encounter the rest along the streets cheering you on.

One of the world’s biggest fresh water lakes offers arguably the best swim on the circuit. A two-loop bike course returns through town before heading through the forests and a three-loop run course leaves you in the presence of thousands of spectators.

The 2017 Military Division will include age-group categories of 18-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50+ and will crown male and female champions for each Military Division age group.

Ten Military Division slots will be offered for 2017 IRONMAN World Championship and slot allocation and roll down for military athletes will be conducted in conjunction with age-group athlete slot allocation.

For media inquiries contact Daniel Hoy | daniel.hoy@ironman.com | 0455 091 476

About IRONMAN
A Wanda Sports Holdings company, IRONMAN operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl®, IRONKIDS®, six of nine International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series races, road cycling events including the UCI Velothon Majors Series, mountain bike races, premier marathons and other multisport races. IRONMAN’s events, together with all other Wanda Sports Holdings events, provide more than 680,000 participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Beginning as a single race, IRONMAN has grown to become a global sensation with more than 260 events across 42 countries. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.