IRONMAN, in conjunction with Travel Salem and Sport Oregon, announced today that Salem, Oregon, will serve as the newest host venue for an IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon. The inaugural IRONMAN® 70.3® Oregon event will take place on Sunday, July 25, 2021, with general registration opening on Monday, April 12 at www.ironman.com/im703-oregon.
“We feel that Salem offers the perfect destination to bring the first IRONMAN 70.3 event to the beautiful state of Oregon,” said Dave Christen, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group. “We've had hopes of bringing an IRONMAN branded event to this region for a while now. Offering the race in July during the prime season for racing in the Pacific Northwest, creates an incredible opportunity for people to #exploregon. We are thrilled to call Salem home for this new event for years to come.”
“Travel Salem and the Salem Area Sports Commission are thrilled to welcome IRONMAN to our city,” said Angie Onyewuchi, Travel Salem CEO. “Hosting one of the world’s most prestigious and respected sporting events helps solidify Salem as the Sports Capital of Oregon. We look forward to breathing life back into the tourism economy post COVID with the infusion of more than $11 million in estimated economic impact while showcasing our region’s natural beauty and premier recreational assets to the visiting athletes and their families.”
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon and the county seat of Marion County, Salem is situated in the center of the Willamette Valley and on the Willamette River. As the second-largest city in the state, only an hour’s driving distance away from Portland, Salem’s pristine summer weather and outdoor amenities provide the ideal sporting destination.
“Bringing this internationally recognized event to Oregon is a strategic investment that highlights Oregon’s rich athletic history and community while also driving safe travel and inspiring future trips to Oregon as part of our road to economic recovery,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon.
With course announcements soon to come, participants can expect a down-river swim, a scenic bike through the wine country surrounding the city, and a picturesque run along the river and near the downtown center. This beginner-friendly race will prove to be the perfect place for athletes and families to plan an Oregon adventure.
“Oregon’s Willamette Valley is thrilled to host the world-famous IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in 2021,” said Dawnielle Tehama, Executive Director of Willamette Valley Visitors Association. “We are looking forward to safely inviting athletes and travelers alike back to the region. An event of this magnitude will have such a positive impact on Salem and the broader valley, not only stimulating the economy, but also by reinvigorating our restaurants, businesses and communities.”
“There’s no better place to hold a world-class endurance event than Oregon,” said Sport Oregon CEO Jim Etzel. “IRONMAN has proven to be the best in the business, and we’re absolutely thrilled they will be calling Salem ‘home’ for the next three years, and hopefully beyond. Our statewide, regional, and local partners stepped up in a big way to make this happen, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience an IRONMAN event here in Oregon.”
General registration for the inaugural 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon triathlon will open Monday, April 12, 2021. The event will offer qualifying slots to the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in St George, Utah
For more information on the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon triathlon, visit www.ironman.com/im703-oregon. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com. Athlete inquiries can be directed to oregon70.3@ironman.com. Media related inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.
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About Travel Salem
Travel Salem is the official Destination Marketing & Management Organization (DMMO) for Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley (Marion and Polk Counties). Travel Salem markets and promotes the Mid-Willamette Valley as a premier, year-round destination for conventions, events and leisure travelers. For more information, visit TravelSalem.com.
About Sport Oregon
Sport Oregon is a nonprofit corporation focused on driving economic development and quality of life benefits to all Oregonians through sport. Through deep relationships with partners throughout the state, Sport Oregon has helped inject nearly a half a billion dollars into the Oregon economy in its existence, and continues to pursue opportunities that contribute to a thriving statewide sports tourism industry. Additionally, the Sport Oregon Foundation serves to break down barriers to entry that prevent youth from experiencing the many benefits that sports provide. By providing grants and conducting programs like TrackTown Youth League, Fuel the Future, and She Flies, the Sport Oregon Foundation supports youth activities that help promote increased physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
AboutWillamette Valley Visitors Association
The Willamette Valley, defined as the area between the crest of the Cascade Mountains and the crest of the Coast Range, from Newberg south to Cottage Grove, is the largest river valley in the Pacific Northwest. Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) is a private, nonprofit organization that supports travel and tourism in the Willamette Valley, Oregon’s Wine Country. Comprising six destination marketing organizations, WVVA works to maintain the Willamette Valley as Oregon’s premier travel destination, while also highlighting the culture, heritage and natural resources of the region. For more information, visit www.oregonwinecountry.org/.
About the IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf®, Ultra-Trail® World Tour events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.
About Advance
Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com
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