IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Group company, announced the addition of BI GROUP IRONMAN® Kazakhstan. It is the second event for The IRONMAN Group in the country after BI GROUP IRONMAN 70.3® Astana was founded in 2018. Both races will take place on August 23, 2020.
Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth largest country located in Eastern Europe and Western Asia, making it one of the few transcontinental countries in the world. Kazakhstan and its capital Nur-Sultan (also known as Astana) have undergone a rapid transformation since its independence in 1991.
With the help of renowned international architects, the city has been turned into a 21st century architectural marvel with most of the new buildings on the left bank of the Ishim river. Among them is the “Khan Shatyr” shopping and entertainment center design by world-famous architect Norman Foster. Nur-Sultan is also the home to the “Nur Alem” Expo 2017 pavilion, the “Bayterek” tower and the “Duman” Oceanarium.
“In 2018 we ventured into new territory by founding BI GROUP IRONMAN 70.3 Astana. Today, we couldn’t be happier to add a second race in a country which has welcomed our athletes with arms wide open. Kazakhstan and the city of Nur-Sultan have proven that they are more than ready for a full-distance IRONMAN event. What race director Alexey Sidorenko and his team have achieved in such a short period of time is nothing short of impressive,” said Stefan Petschnig, Managing Director IRONMAN Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Athletes will start their race with a jump from a pontoon platform on the water into the Ishim River to tackle the 3,8 km (2.4 mile) swim course. With an average temperature of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius (64,5 to 72 Fahrenheit) and slow flow rate, participants can expect fast swim times.
The flat and fast 180,2 km (112 mile) bike course on recently re-surfaced asphalt roads is perfect for athletes of all abilities as they get to enjoy views of the breathtaking architectural marvels on the riverbank, before they make their way out into the Steppe landscape surrounding the city.
Athletes then transition onto the 42,2 km (26,2 mile) run course that leads through several parks in the heart of the city. Finally, they will finish their race at the Triathlon Park of Astana, an area built for and loved by cyclists and triathletes alike.
“This IRONMAN race has it all – a beautiful racecourse bridging the modern city of Astana and the seemingly endless Steppe landscape, a welcoming host city and nation, and a team dedicated to making this any athlete’s best race experience,” said Managing Director Alexey Sidorenko.
“Kazakhstan was the first of the CIS countries to host an IRONMAN 70.3 event. Now it is becoming the first to host an IRONMAN event. We invite all athletes to race at their best and meet us in the Great Steppe,” added Karim Masimov, President of the Kazakhstan Triathlon Federation.
“We are ready to write a new chapter in the IRONMAN history of Kazakhstan. For two years we have welcomed IRONMAN 70.3 athletes, now we are ready to take the next step. The triathlon park will once again become a place filled with emotions,” said Aydin Rakhimbaev, Chairman of The Board of Directors for BI GROUP Holding.
BI GROUP IRONMAN Kazakhstan will offer age-group qualifying slots to the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i. General registration for IRONMAN Kazakhstan will open on October 21, 2019.
For more information please visit, www.ironman.com/kazakhstan or direct inquiries to kazakhstan@ironman.com. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.
