The countdown is on with just 100 days to go until the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon descends on Taupō from December 14-15.

More than 6000 of the world’s top professional and age-group triathletes will compete over two days of racing, with New Zealand hosting the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon for the first time.

Athletes competing in December’s VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon will take on a 1.9km point-to-point swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Taupō, a 90km single loop bike course through beautiful rolling countryside and forest landscape, and a 21.1-kilometre two-lap run along the lakefront lined with spectators before finishing on the famous IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship red carpet on Tongariro Street in the heart of Taupō.

Long-time Race Director of IRONMAN New Zealand and IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand, Wayne Reardon, said preparations are in full swing for the upcoming event.

“With 100 days to go until we welcome athletes to Taupō for the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship our preparations are in their final stages, with our goal to make this the best event yet for our athletes, their supporters and the local community,” said Reardon.

“We can’t wait to see thousands discover their true potential on this beautiful course as we showcase the region to the triathlon world.”

The 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship race week activity kicks off on Wednesday, December 11, with the Tuituia Fun Run supported by HOKA, a 5km run through Taupō open to friends, whānau and the athletes themselves, followed by IRONKIDS supported by HOKA later that day.

The IRONKIDS fun run allows the next generation a chance to be involved with this world class event, featuring a 500m run for 5-7-year-olds, 1km for 8-9-year-olds, and 1.6km for 10-13-year-olds.

The Parade of Nations and Welcome Banquet continue the festivities on Thursday, December 12, with a practice swim on the morning of Friday, December 13, being athletes’ final shakeout before the women begin their VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship race day on Saturday, December 14.

The men will race a day later on Sunday, December 15.

An exciting line up of professional triathletes from around the world are anticipated to compete for the title of IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, with a number of Kiwis in the mix.

Among the favourites in the men’s race are Taupō-raised duo Hayden Wilde, a two-time Olympic medallist, and Kyle Smith, a two-time IRONMAN 70.3 Taupō champion.

Fellow Kiwis Braden Currie, Mike Phillips, Jack Moody, Ben Hamilton, and Sam Osborne have also qualified.

Hannah Berry and Amelia Watkinson will likely be New Zealand’s best chances of a podium in the women’s professional race, while Rebecca Clarke, Hannah Knighton, and Deborah Fuller will be hoping for strong performances in front of a home crowd.

The VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Taupō is set to be a fitting final stop for the inaugural IRONMAN Pro Series, which has seen top professional athletes go head-to-head across events around the world throughout the year.

The IRONMAN Pro Series has seen athletes racing for a US$1.7million season ending bonus pool, with each event broadcast to triathlon fans around the world, including both days of VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship racing.

The VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship women’s race and men’s race mark the 19th and 20th (and final) stop of the series respectively, with each race offering 3,000 points and US$75,000 to the winner, with a total event pro prize purse of US$500,000.

For more information about the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship event, please visit www.ironman.com/im703-world-championship.