Over the periord 2004-2006 we worked with authorities in Singapore and with WTC, to secure the then world's newest Ironman 70.3 event and now it's real and so much more, the dream becoming a reality in conjunction with our Singapore partners, Hi-Velocity as the events group Hi-Tri!
So the new Ironman 70.3 event is actually product of X-Tri in Australia and HiVelocity from Singapore, operating as Hi Tri Singapore - with valued assistance from Singapore's leading tri club, the Triathlon Family.
As part of its continuing commitment to Singapore’s sporting scene, world wide insurer Aviva agreed to be the title sponsor for the Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore Triathlon that was launched into fact on September 2nd 2007, bringing an event of world class and quality into downtown Singapore.
This world-class competition represented two “firsts” for Singapore – 1) it was the first time Singapore had ever hosted an Ironman 70.3 event and 2) it was the first Ironman 70.3 to ever take place in Asia.
Charles Anderson, Managing Director for Aviva Asia said at the launch, “Aviva’s sponsorship of the Ironman is an association with endurance races and multi-sports at the highest level. This is in line with Aviva’s strategy to use sports to communicate what we stand for - and that is performance based on a healthy, positive and balanced lifestyle. For participants on the lookout for new challenges, the Ironman 70.3 definitely fits the bill.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports Mr Teo Ser Luck is the patron of this event, and has shown a keen interest in developing the sport in Singapore. Mr Teo said, "The event is a major milestone on our sporting calendar and the world Ironman 70.3 triathlon series. It shows the success of the 3P partnership between people, private and public sectors. I would like to commend the efforts of the organizers who have worked with the Singapore Sports Council and sponsors to put Singapore on the world map for endurance races. I am confident this event will be a success."
Ironman 70.3 is an international triathlon competition managed by the World Triathlon Corporation and is held in various locations across the world, including Hawaii, California and Florida in the USA, Switzerland, Monaco, Belgium and the UK in Europe, culminating in the World Championship, the Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship held at Clearwater, Florida.
Started in June 2005, the Ironman 70.3 series now gathers tens of thousands of athletes, all vying for a spot in the World Championship.
The Ironman 70.3 Singapore started as the sole Asian qualifying round for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 and in the first three years, 75 slots were available for the Championship event.
The Singapore leg of the competition is organised by sports event management consultants, Hi-Tri Pte Ltd. The event organization will also involve members of local triathlon club, Triathlon Family. Member of the organising team, and four-time Ironman finisher, Adrian Mok, said, “We are very excited about bringing the Ironman 70.3 to Singapore and are glad to receive strong support from the local triathlon community. Aviva has a history of sponsoring major sporting events and we are pleased for this opportunity to work together with them in bringing this world-class competition to Singapore.”
Participants originally covered a course that was centred on the Marina Bay area, over a swim of 1.9km, cycle 90.1km and run 21.1km, adding up to 70.3 miles, hence the name Ironman 70.3.
The Ironman 70.3 Singapore will be the latest addition to the Singapore Sports Council’s diverse, vibrant calendar of local and international sporting events.
“The Singapore Sports Council is pleased to have the strong, committed support of AVIVA who have come forward as title sponsor for this event. This a positive step in our development of the local sports industry, making it possible for us to add the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon to our vibrant sporting calendar of local and international sporting events. We look forward to this event taking place in Singapore, come 2 September 2007,” said Mr Daniel Metcalfe, Chief of High Participation and Industry Development Group, Singapore Sports Council.
AS an organiser, we expected about 800 participants at the inaugural race, buty 1300 turned up!
The elite participants competed for a total prize money purse of USD $30,000.
In 2008 we raised the prize money to $USD50,000 and in 2009, bringing the event forward to March 2009, and on the back of the economic slump we still attracted close to 1000 competitors including the world's fastest Iron woman, Yvonne van Vlerken, and a sensational race between Chris McCormack and Craig Alexander, the two World Champions racing hard the whole way, with 'Crowie' edging out 'Macca' for the win.
Since that exciting race we've renewed the Ironman 70.3 license and Aviva have again come on board for a further three years, commencing a whole new era for this race; now one of five in Asia as the Ironman 70.3 circuit gathers more and more momentum.
Join us in Singapore on March 21st 2010 to race with the stars!
