Ironman Announces Two New 70.3 Events In California

Ironman today announced two acquisitions that result in two 70.3s being added to the California triathlon race calendar for 2015. Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz will take place in Santa Cruz, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 13, with Ironman 70.3 SuperFrog following in Coronado, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Ironman 70.3 SuperFrog

Ironman acquired multiple events from SuperFrog, Inc., including the SuperFrog, Super Seal and Seal Sprint triathlons–created and designed by Navy SEALs. The SuperFrog triathlon will be rebranded as Ironman 70.3 SuperFrog and will take place on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.

“It is a privilege for us to combine the profound tradition of SperFrog with Ironman’s historic military roots,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of Ironmam. “We look forward to building upon the foundation of this great event and expand our offerings to military members.”

The Ironman 70.3 SuperFrog triathlon will lead athletes through a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run on a course that utilizes the beautiful city of Coronado, Calif. The race will start with a double-loop 1.2-mile swim in the Pacific Ocean. Athletes will then begin a quadruple-loop 56-mile bike course that will travel along scenic Highway 75. The course is flat and fast and features beautiful ocean views. The double-loop 13.1-mile run offers mixed terrains including sand, trails and pavement, and travels up and down the California coastline and through the Silver Strand Training Complex/Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command. The finish line awaits athletes just off of the beach.

Ironman 70.3 SuperFrog will offer 30 age-group slots to the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship taking place in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Ironman 70.3 SuperFrog also serves as a Military Division Qualifier and will offer 14 qualifying slots for eligible military athletes to the 2016 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i.

General registration and military registration for Ironman 70.3 SuperFrog will open on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 12:00 pm ET. Learn more at www.ironman.com/superfrog70.3.

Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz

Ironman has also acquired multiple events from Firstwave Events, LLC. Ironman will now own and operate the Big Kahuna Triathlon and Santa Cruz Half Marathon/10k/5k. The Big Kahuna triathlon will be rebranded as Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz and will take place on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015.

“We are excited to continue to expand our offerings throughout California with the acquisition of the races from Firstwave Events,” said Messick. “With the strong foundation that has been laid, we look forward to growing these great events in a location with an enthusiastic endurance sports background.”

The Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz triathlon will feature a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. The race starts on the Santa Cruz Main Beach east of the wharf. Athletes will then begin the bike course at Depot Park as they head out on a scenic tour of the California coastline. From there, athletes will take on a scenic out and back run course that passes around the Natural Bridges State Park and Wilder Ranch State Park with the turnaround on the ocean bluffs before returning to finish in front of the main stage at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz will offer 30 age-group slots to the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship taking place in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

General registration for Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz will open on Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 at 12:00 pm ET. Learn more at www.ironman.com/santacruz70.3.