The Ironman team in the UK has issued a release about its 2024 event calendar. This sees a shake-up and restructuring of its events, with IM UK no longer a full distance race and IM 70.3 Staffordshire discontinued next year.
As part of the restructuring, Ironman UK in Bolton, north west England, becomes IM 70.3 Bolton. This means that Ironman Wales is now the only full distance Ironman event in the UK.
In addition to IM Wales, which takes place this year in September, the restructured portfolio currently includes: IM 70.3 Swansea, IM 70.3 Weymouth and the new IM 70.3 Bolton.
The release from Ironman gives some further background to its decision…
It has been an exciting start to the UK triathlon season following Ironman UK in Bolton, and Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire with thousands of athletes crossing the finish line in the UK summer. As athletes start to plan their 2024 seasons, next year’s season will have a different look as Ironman restructures its 2024 event calendar.
Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire will unfortunately not be taking place next year. The race has been an athlete favourite since its first edition eight years ago, with the event’s evolution from the early years at Shugborough Estate to the move into Stafford, where the Knights of Stafford Castle and the unwavering spectator support in Stafford’s Market Square played a part in creating some truly special memories for our athletes.
In addition, Ironman UK in Bolton will become Ironman 70.3 Bolton in 2024. Bolton has been home to Ironman UK for the last 14 years providing the stage for so many athletes to achieve their triathlon goals and to help grow the sport of triathlon in the UK.
With the introduction of Ironman 70.3 Bolton, we look forward to bringing in the next era of swim, bike, run in Bolton as we continue to deliver great race experiences for athletes in the UK and hope to inspire a new wave of triathletes in the North!
We want to thank both Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire Borough Council for their unwavering support over the last 8 years and helping to make this journey a success.
We also want to thank Bolton Council for their continued support and our new vision for the race.
The date announcement and details on how to enter next year’s Ironman 70.3 Bolton will follow soon. Athletes who hold deferral entries to either the 2024 edition of Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire or Ironman UK will be notified by e-mail.
