The First Edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant, Successful all the Way!

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Published on Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Written by Tremblant

The first edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant was held with resounding success on June 24 in the Mont-Tremblant area as it was launched by a Canadian Forces Snowbirds’ air demonstration and culminated in the festive atmosphere of Tremblant’s pedestrian village.

“This first edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 was a huge success and we are very proud to have managed to mobilize a whole community,” stated Dominique Piché, producer-delegate of IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant and IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant.

Piché also thanked the elected officials of Mont-Tremblant for their openness and their collaboration throughout the organization of this world-class project and he emphasized the vision of both Governments of Québec and of Canada, who were able to recognize the potential associated with the events in terms of economic benefits and international exposure for the host city, for the region's tourism sector as well as for the entire province. The direct and indirect economic impact for this event and the IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant scheduled in August is estimated at more than 20-million dollars per year. To this effect, a five-year agreement has been signed with the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) for the IRONMAN 70.3 in Mont-Tremblant and the IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant, renewable after 2016.

Victory for IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant’s spokesperson Magali Tisseyre!
The event’s spokesperson, Magali Tisseyre, from Saint-Sauveur, was crowned champion as she crossed the finish line in 4:23:30, more than 15 minutes ahead of Annie Gervais, from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Tisseyre reached her goal to win the honours of this first edition in front of her fans from home. French Romain Guillaume, who was racing in Quebec for the first time, won this first edition in 3:58:08, twelve minutes ahead of second place Ryan Grant.

The course was a difficult one, especially for the bike section, with many hills reaching as much as a 12% incline. The run course was not easier, with slopes ranging from 8 to 13%. For those dreaming of finishing a full IRONMAN, this course is perfect to start off: it is the only IRONMAN 70.3 event in the world using the same course as the full version.

Quebec well-represented
Of the more than 2,000 athletes, more than 85 percent were Canadian, of which 48 percent were Québécois. Athletes from 15 different countries were registered, with the largest number coming from Canada, followed by the United States and Mexico. The greater proportion (69 percent) was men while the average age of registered participants was 42.3. Only two other IRONMAN 70.3 are held in Canada, one in Calgary (Alberta) and the other in Muskoka, Huntsville (Ontario).

Find complete race results on IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant’s website

The next IRONMAN rendezvous in Mont-Tremblant
The much-awaited IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant will be held for the first time on August 19, 2012. Michelle Courchesne, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, will share the honorary presidency of the 2012 IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant with Quebec triathlete Pierre Lavoie, cofounder of the Pierre Lavoie Challenge. IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant offers 50 age group qualifying slots to the 2012 IRONMAN World Championship, considered the most challenging endurance event in the world, held in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i. There is also a $25,000 professional prize purse.

About IRONMAN Triathlon®
The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, World Triathlon Corporation, owner and operator of the IRONMAN Series, has grown from a single race to a global sensation with nearly 190 events across five unique brands: IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3®, 5150™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl® and IronKids®. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

Source : Ariadne Bourbonnière, Relations publiques et Communications - Station Mont Tremblant.