IRONMAN PRO SERIES DEBUTS IN ITALY: JESOLO HOSTS A RECORD-BREAKING EDITION WITH OVER 30,000 ATHLETES, SPECTATORS, FANS AND TOURISTS
Over 3,200 athletes from 80 countries took part in a challenge on an entirely flat course.
Jesolo hosted the fifth edition of Ironman 70.3 Venice-Jesolo, an event that marked a historic milestone: for the first time, the race became part of the Ironman Pro Series, the prestigious international circuit reserved for professional athletes, now in its second season.
In the shadow of the Piave Vecchia Lighthouse, on a meteorologically ideal day, over 3,200 athletes from 80 countries gathered for a challenge on a spectacular and entirely flat course: 1,900 metres of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21 km of running. Only a slight wind tested the athletes on the bike and run, but it did not prevent them from recording some of the best times ever over this distance.
Triumphing were the Greek Panagiotis Bitados and the Norwegian Solveig Løvseth, but each athlete brought with them a personal motivation: some competed to win, some to overcome their limits, and some to bring a message. More than 80% of the participants were first-time participants in Jesolo, and 28% were competing in their first Ironman.
“It was a great weekend of sport and triathlon excellence. Professional and amateur athletes competed on a fast and fascinating course,” said Andrea Camporesi, founder and ambassador of Ironman Italy – Venice-Jesolo and CEO of FREE EVENT.
The event was a celebration of sport that animated the city for four days, attracting over 30,000 people including athletes, companions, fans and tourists. In terms of media, Ironman 70.3 Venice-Jesolo also had a considerable impact, thanks to the live television broadcast and online streaming that brought the race into the homes of thousands of fans around the world.
