In March Bariloche will stage the “Ironman 70.3”, a race famous for challenging the limits of the body with a triathlon involving 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21 km of running. This will be the second edition held in Argentina, and will guarantee 30 seats for the Ironman 70.3 grand final, to be held at Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa in September 2018.

Mario Patrone, director of Event Live, organizer and owner of the Ironman license in Argentina, estimates a good economic return of the event. “It is estimated that the first event of the year will inject more than five million dollars into the economy, considering tickets, hotels, gastronomy and sightseeing.” In addition to the more than 1,600 athletes of different nationalities, Abayuba Rodríguez, that each professional athlete will bring with him about 3 to 4 sports professionals or family members. The expectation is that in total five thousand people travel to Bariloche as a result of the event. Brazil is the second country with the highest number of enrollees.

The Executive Director of the Tourism Promotion Agency of Bariloche, EMPROTUR, Diego Piquín, classifies the date as a great opportunity to make Bariloche one of the main destinations when it comes to sports. “In Bariloche there are traditional events such as the 4 refuges [trekking competition], the Tetratlon Cathedral, and the Huemul Island Escape, which are set in the calendar and attract riders from all over Argentina and region. With Ironman we have been working for months to highlight the infrastructure and the scenarios we have to be the best destination for sports and nature. “

The city prepared for the arrival of tourists by putting 500 volunteers to work during the event. In addition, the 70 winners of the different categories will plant a tree, thus forming a new grove in Bariloche, and the money collected with registrations for the children’s event will be donated to some NGOs in the city.

The route

The start of the race will be at the Llao Llao Hotel, with swimming on Lake Moreno. Cycling will be the second step from Circuito Chico, passing through the center and ending at the Civic Center. The race, the last leg, begins and ends at the Civic Center, passing through the city center.

More information: www.barilocheturismo.gob.ar

Photo: Reproduction