IRONMAN announced today that it will add two brand-new events to its 2022 race calendar with the introduction of the Plava Laguna IRONMAN® 70.3® Poreč, Istria triathlon in Croatia and IRONMAN® 70.3® Tangier triathlon in Morocco.

“Croatia and Morocco are the perfect race destinations for any triathlete looking to experience spectacular locations and unique local culture while racing. Our partners in Croatia and Morocco have established a great community of athletes over the last years and we look forward to seeing more athletes experiencing IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon racing in Poreč, Istria-Croatia and Tangier thanks to the addition of these two races on the circuit,” said Thomas Veje Olson, Managing Director for the IRONMAN Group in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Poreč set to delight in 2022

Poreč, a popular summer resort on the coast of the Istrian Peninsula in western Croatia, has successfully hosted the Olympic distance Plava Laguna 5150 Poreč triathlon for the last two years, creating a natural transition into the new IRONMAN 70.3 event. The introduction of the Plava Laguna IRONMAN 70.3 Poreč, Istria-Croatia will see athletes taking on a 1.9km swim in the crystal-clear waters around the peninsula at Zelena Resort, followed by a 90km bike course that takes athletes through the famous Truffle Forest around the city of Livade and Motovun. Lastly, athletes will take on a 21.1km run along the Poreč coastline until they reach the red carpet of the finish line.

“We are very excited to announce Plava Laguna IRONMAN 70.3. Poreč, Istria-Croatia for 2022,” said Goran Vrus, Race Director of Plava Laguna IRONMAN 70.3. Poreč, Istria-Croatia. “Poreč, Istria and Croatia are beautiful locations for swimming, cycling, and running along the scenery of the old town, vineyards and olive groves and we can’t wait to welcome athletes for a memorable race experience”.

Plava Laguna IRONMAN 70.3. Poreč, Istria-Croatia will offer qualifying slots to the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Lahti, Finland on August 26 – 27, 2023. General Registration for the Croatian event will open on Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

For more information on Plava Laguna IRONMAN 70.3. Poreč, Istria-Croatia please visit www.ironman.com/im703-croatia. Athlete inquiries can be directed to Porec70.3@ironman.com.

New destination in Morocco to welcome athletes

Set in northwestern Morocco on the Maghreb coast, Tangier is a bustling seaside city rich in history said to date back as far as the 10th century BCE. The introduction of the IRONMAN 70.3 Tangier triathlon is testament to the growth and interest in the sport of triathlon in Northern Africa over the past years.

“With its exceptional geographical location and high-quality facilities, Tangier was the obvious choice,” said Simo Azelarab, President of NAPECO, local organizers of the IRONMAN 70.3 Tangier. “We are very happy to organize this iconic IRONMAN 70.3 event in Tangier. The city has developed a lot in previous years and hosting an international competition will be an opportunity to showcase the region’s wealth of tourism to athletes from all over the world.”

At sunrise, athletes taking on the IRONMAN 70.3 Tangier triathlon will begin the day with a 1.9km, one-loop swim in the Mediterranean Sea in the bay of Tangier. They will then head out onto the 90km bike course, passing through Merkel Beach Road and crossing the exceptional Cap Spartel reserve with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. Lastly, the 21.1km run will start from the Tangier Marina and will consists of three 7km loops along the boardwalk.

Bertrand Mulot, Co-founder and Deputy Director of NAPECO, added „Thanks to a dream circuit, between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the IRONMAN 70.3 Tangier offers the promise of a unique and unforgettable race for both professional and age-group athletes, and an exceptional opportunity for the many Moroccan athletes to discover or rediscover this magnificent region.”

IRONMAN 70.3 Tangier will offer qualifying slots to the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Lahti, Finland on August 26 – 27, 2023. General Registration for the event will open on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

For more information on IRONMAN 70.3 Tangier, please visit www.ironman.com/im703-Tangier. Athlete inquiries can be directed to tangier70.3@ironman.com.