Ironman is back in Cozumel this November 28, 2010. Pre-race activities will start that Thursday and the awards ceremony is Monday the 29th.
The final race course for this year has been approved by the local authorities, which will be more spectator friendly and spectacular as well. AND Casa Cascada is 3 blocks away from one of the race hot spots (City Hall or Palacio Municipal) that is promoted on the Ironman website !
So what is the Ironman anyway? It’s 2.4 miles of swimming (3.8 km), 112 miles of biking (180 km) and a 26.2 miles run (42.2 km). The race is limited to 2,300 triathletes and the prize money is $50K!
Here are the details…
SWIM:2.4miles (3.8 km), (1 lap) :
It will be an ocean swim, 1 lap, 1 massive in water start.
During the first part of the course participants will be swimming against the current and at the end participants will swim with the current.
The water visibility is 100% and big buoys will be placed every 200mfor your reference with smaller ones along the course. Water temperature will be around 84 F, wetsuits will not be permitted.
Cozumel Ironman provides a brightly colored swim cap for each athlete. This cap is provided for safety and must be worn throughout the swim.
Cut off time: 2:20 hours after the start.
BIKE: 112 miles(180 km), (3 laps) :
The bike course starts at the CHANKANAAB parking lot (T1), and finishes atT2 next to Cozumel’s City Hall in the heart of downtown. Participants will complete 3 laps along the Highway around the Island in a counter clockwise direction. Every lap will go by the City Hall,between T2 and the finish line. The City Hall is 3 blocks from the house and you can see the huge Mexican flag that flies outside daily.
Here’s the complete bike course: Upon leaving T1 at Chankanaab park, turn right on the Cozumel highway for about 12 miles towards the south side of the Island (Punta Sur). At this point you will continue towards the north for about 9 miles right next to the ocean, with strong cross winds, until the junction with Juarez Ave. (a place called Mezcalitos), where you will turn left and go straight until 30thAve. where you´ll turn left and go straight to 11thstreet,turn right until City Hall to complete lap 1.Two more and you will have finished this beautiful bike ride. The entire course is flat and the pavement is in perfect conditions.
* Bike’s cut off time: 10:30 hours after the start.
RUN: 26.2 miles (42.195km), (3 laps):
After finishing the bike portion of the race, participants will hand in their bike to the T2volunteers who will rack the bike. Participants will then proceed to the changing tents.
The run will start towards the North along the main street(Rafael Melgar Ave.) until reaching the turnaround point near the Cozumel Golf Course. It will be an out and back course to which you will run 3 laps and finish right in front the City Hall inside the main plaza.
Car access will be totally restricted in this course.
Cut off time: 17 hours from the start of the event.
There will be race officials at every turnaround and along the course,as well as timing mats and video cameras.
If you need additional information such as registration information, a detailed schedule and more…This is the official website of Ironman: www.ironmancozumel.com
**This post is getting quite a few hits so please feel free to submit any information below to help out fellow Triathletes. I will post comments within 24 hours.
