New Ironman for 2011

The World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) has announced the addition of the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas to its worldwide Ironman Series.



Taking place in The Woodlands, located just north of downtown Houston, the event is scheduled for 21 May 2011.



Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas will offer 65 coveted slots to the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship. Additionally, there will be a prize purse of $100,000 for distribution among the top professional male and female finishers.



Participants will begin with a swim in Lake Woodlands, entering the water at Northshore Park and finishing at Town Green Park, which will serve as the transition area. Athletes will then head out on the bike course that will take them west through The Woodlands before heading north to the scenic, rolling farmland of east Texas. The final portion of the race is a marathon course entirely within The Woodlands that concludes with a spectacular finish on Market Street.



With average temperature touching 90°F and humidity in the 90s, too, this could be the toughest Ironman in the world.



Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is the largest not-for-profit healthcare provider serving greater Houston, will serve as title sponsor of the event.



Registration for the event opens today at www.ironmantexas.com. Additional course details will be finalized in the coming weeks and will be available on the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas Web site. For athlete inquiries, please contact texas@ironman.com.

Matt Baird Editor of Cycling Plus magazine

About

Matt is a regular contributor to 220 Triathlon, having joined the magazine in 2008. He’s raced everything from super-sprint to Ironman, duathlons and off-road triathlons, and can regularly be seen on the roads and trails around Bristol. Matt is the author of Triathlon! from Aurum Press and is now the editor of Cycling Plus magazine.