Princeton, N.J. To Host 70.3 Race Starting In 2014

Ironman announced today that Princeton, N.J. has been selected to host the 24th race in the Ironman 70.3 U.S. Series. The inaugural Ironman 70.3 Princeton triathlon will take place on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.

See the announcement from Ironman below:

“We’re excited to be able to bring Ironman back to the tri-state area, and particularly to Princeton,” said Andrew Messick, CEO of Ironman. “Princeton and its surrounding area have a long and established history in triathlon and endurance sports, and we think this event will provide participants with one of the most scenic and challenging courses anywhere in North America.”

Ironman 70.3 Princeton will lead athletes through a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run through the Princeton Region of New Jersey. The race will start with a single loop 1.2-mile swim in Mercer Lake where athletes can expect a calm lake with mild temperatures. The bike will be a one-loop 56-mile course that will begin and end at Mercer County Park in West Windsor. Participants will make their way from the suburban park setting to the rolling country side of rural Monmouth County. The two and a half loop 13.1-mile run course will take place primarily on the paved jogging paths within Mercer County Park, making its way to nearby Mercer County College. Athletes will run through the tree lined center of campus, around the soccer and baseball venues before turning back onto the path connecting the college with the park. After the second lap, the course will finish in the brand new event Pavilion.

RELATED: 2015 Ironman 70.3 World Championship To Be Held In Europe

“We are thrilled to host a premier competition like the Ironman 70.3 triathlon at Mercer County Park for the first time,” said County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “We invite the thousands of people who will be drawn to this event to discover Mercer County’s many treasures, including our thriving arts and cultural offerings, award-winning restaurants and unique shopping opportunities.”

The 2014 Ironman 70.3 Princeton race will have a $15,000 professional prize purse and will be a P-500 race. Additionally, the race will offer 35 age group slots to the 2015 Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

General registration for Ironman 70.3 Princeton will open at noon ET Monday, Dec. 16, 2013 at Ironman.com/princeton.

RELATED – Recalled: The Emergence Of The 70.3

Our Twitter followers are the first to know about the latest in triathlon news. Follow us now @Triathletemag.