Media Release: Ironman To Return To Thailand In 2016 With Ironman 70.3 Triathlon

THAILAND/TAMPA, Fla. (December 15, 2015) – IRONMAN announced today the addition of a new IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in the burgeoning market of Thailand, which is scheduled to take place in the beautiful city of Phuket on November 27, 2016. The Philippines-based company Sunrise Events and the Thailand-based company SportMaster will team up to deliver IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand.

“This race is further evidence of the growing interest in and development of IRONMAN throughout the region,” said IRONMAN Asia-Pacific CEO Geoff Meyer. “Thailand has had a long history with IRONMAN and it’s fantastic that we are back again in Phuket with an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. An improved course and development in Phuket will allow us to grow the event beyond what we could in 2012 and we look forward to a great future in Thailand.”

Phuket, one of the world’s premier holiday destinations, is famous for its crystal clear waters, pristine white beaches and stunning natural scenery – as well as its variety of attractions and entertainment.

“Sunrise Events is pleased to announce that through our partnership with SportMaster, led by Kobkiat Sangwanich, we will be bringing the IRONMAN brand back to Thailand in November 2016,” said Chairman Fred Uytengsu.

“Thailand is now ready to welcome triathletes from around the world,” said SportMaster Managing Director, Kobkiat Sangwanich.

The IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand will offer a $15,000 USD professional prize purse and 30 age-group qualifying slots for the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.

Registration will open on December 16, 2015 at www.ironman.com/thailand70.3.

Sunrise Events already delivers a number of successful IRONMAN events in the Philippines including the Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay Philippines triathlon and the Cobra Energy Drink IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines triathlon in Cebu, which will serve as the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship in 2016. Sunrise Events also launched the IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam triathlon this year and stage a number of 5150 events.

For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.