Long Island, New York (September 18, 2023) The inaugural Northwell Health IRONMAN 70.3 New York – Jones Beach triathlon is one for the record books. Long Island’s famed Jones Beach State Park, home of 6.5 miles of white-sand beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, is set to host the global competition known as earth’s most challenging endurance event on Saturday, September 23, 2023. And it’s already made history as the largest inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon to date with approximately 3,800 athletes from across the globe registered to participate – shattering IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon’s previous registration record by more than 1,500 athletes. Discover Long Island, the region’s official and only accredited destination marketing organization, is projecting another unprecedented milestone for the historic event, estimating that the Jones Beach competition will pump more than $13 million into the local Long Island economy, surpassing the economic impact of IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Rosa in 2018 which generated just over $11 million in their community.
“The unprecedented demand for the first-ever IRONMAN 70.3 event on Long Island, with athletes participating from every corner of the globe, further solidifies Long Island as a premier, sought-after destination for world-class sports – a key driver of our $6.3 billion annual tourism economy,” said Discover Long Island President and CEO, Kristen Reynolds, CDME. “Adding IRONMAN 70.3 to our region’s slate of internationally acclaimed athletic events, from the Belmont Stakes and the famed Triple Crown to the 2025 Ryder Cup, provides tremendous exposure and an opportunity to capture a new audience and boost tourism to Long Island for years to come. We look forward to welcoming the best athletes in the world, as well as their friends and family, and showcasing Long Island’s diverse natural beauty, legendary landmarks, vibrant downtowns, and much more.”
New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “We are excited to welcome thousands of athletes and fans to beautiful Jones Beach State Park for its first-ever IRONMAN 70.3 competition. Long Island’s most popular state park is the perfect stage to showcase these athletes’ incredible determination and abilities.”
“When we first identified Jones Beach as a potential host location for an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, we knew that this destination would be very desirable and athletes have shown that,” said Dave Christen, Sr. Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group. “Long Island’s most popular state park will be a great stage to showcase these athletes’ incredible determination and skill. We can’t wait for our athletes to come and experience some of the most beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, ideal weather, as well as the seamless access from New York City and close proximately to New York’s international airports.”
About the Athletes
Approximately 3,800 athletes from 41 countries as well as 41 U.S. states are set to toe the line in the sand this month on Long Island’s iconic Jones Beach, many with their friends and family traveling from out of town to cheer in the stands. From Long Islander, 58-year-old Derrick Acker of Holtsville, NY who says IRONMAN racing and training helped him heal his soul after surviving 9/11 as an FBI first responder – to 35-year-old former Olympic swimmer Fernando Medrano of Managua, Nicaragua, there are no shortage of inspiring stories of perseverance and triumph among ironman athletes set to race at Jones Beach.
About the Course
The beachfront 70.3-mile race will begin with a 1.2-mile swim in Zach’s Bay with views of the legendary Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater. Next, they will embark on a scenic 56-mile closed bike course that runs along the length of the historic Wantagh Parkway, the gateway to Jones Beach. The third and final leg of the course will have athletes run a 13.1-mile course along the Jones Beach Boardwalk with endless views of the Atlantic Ocean’s crashing waves, where they will then cross the finish line right on the sand of the famous beach. Qualifying finishers in each age group will be eligible for slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place on December 14 - 15, 2024 in Taupō, New Zealand.
Weekend Entertainment
While the main event – race day - takes place on Saturday, the event will feature three days of festivities from Thursday, September 21 – Saturday, September 23, 2023. The lineup of entertainment for athletes and spectators alike includes the IRONMAN Village Expo featuring an official IRONMAN store, PlayTri store, live music, local food trucks and vendors, as well a large awards ceremony to end the weekend. Discover Long Island is working closely with IRONMAN’s organizers to promote Long Island’s dynamic entertainment and world-class attractions to the thousands of visitors and participants in town for the event. Discover Long Island aims to drive visitors to the region’s many vibrant downtowns and highlight the award-winning wine region, Gatsby-era mansions, legendary lighthouses, nature oases, world-class wellness and more to drive future tourism. Attendees will be encouraged to follow Discover Long Island on social media and visit the website for local guides like Top 11 Things to Do on Long Island This September.
Long Island’s Next World-class Athletic Event
The eyes of the world will be on Long Island this month and being the record-breaking host for the Northwell Health IRONMAN 70.3 New York race isn’t the only reason for the international spotlight. The biennial Ryder Cup matches, the largest and most prestigious golf event in the world, takes place in Rome on September 29 - October 1, 2023, ushering excitement from 600 million global television viewers and golf fans for the historic 2025 Ryder Cup, coming to Long Island’s Bethpage State Park for the first time. For more information on the historic 2025 Ryder Cup, and opportunities for golf on Long Island, please visit: https://www.rydercup.com/2025
For more information on the 2023 IRONMAN® 70.3® New York – Jones Beach triathlon, please visit www.ironman.com/im703-new-york.###
ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND:
Discover Long Island is the region’s official destination marketing and leadership organization charged with furthering the destination’s thriving visitor economy, which saw record-breaking highs in 2019 generating $6.3 billion in visitor spending. The organization ensures Long Island’s coveted quality of life, thriving industries, and dynamic destination offerings are promoted on a global level, furthering economic development, and benefiting residents and businesses throughout the region. Awarded “Best Social Media” in the nation by the US Travel Association, the organization produces engaging content featuring local businesses and attractions for their 10 social media channels which garner upwards of 10 million views. Additionally, the organization hosts a popular YouTube series, Long Island TV, as well as the Long Island Tea podcast. To learn more, please call 631-951-3900 or visit www.DiscoverLongIsland.com.