From swimming in the crystal clear Lake Zell to the challenging but beautiful bike route with fast descents to the running track along the picturesque lake shore: the IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun is without a doubt one of the most beautiful races on the entire IRONMAN tour. The 9th edition in the Pinzgau region will take place in a little less than two months.
Preparations for race day are already in full swing and the IRONMAN Austria team can hardly wait to organize another extraordinary racing experience for around 2,500 athletes after 2019. Thanks to the excellent cooperation with the tourism association and the partners in the region, nothing stands in the way of the traditional event in the Salzburger Land, taking into account the given event conditions. In order to be able to guarantee the participants the best possible safety, in addition to the Safe Return to Racing program from IRONMAN, the existing prevention and safety concept will also be implemented. According to the currently applicable regulations, this also includes a 3G certificate (tested, vaccinated, recovered) of all participants in order to be able to move around the official event areas.
In connection with the protection and security concept, the briefings for the volunteers are currently taking place. At the largest triathlon event in the Alps, around 60 team leaders and 1500 volunteers will again be on duty this year to make the racing experience even more unforgettable for the athletes. If you want to experience the special atmosphere in Zell am See-Kaprun up close and get a look behind the scenes, you can register at salzburg@ironmanvolunteers.com.
The distance
The prelude to the race is again the 1.9 km long swim course with the mountain scenery in the background and the crystal clear Lake Zell. From the transition area on Lake Zell, the 90.1km cycle route leads via Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße and Taxenbach to Dienten am Hochkönig, where the athletes can recharge their energy reserves at the refreshment stations for the exhausting climb up the Hochkönig. Once on the Filzensattel at 1,280 meters above sea level and thus the highest point of the race, the athletes can expect the spectacular descent. Via Maria Alm, the route leads back to Zell am See via Gerling and Maishofen, as in 2019, before the athletes reach the transition area for the second time on the last section via Piesendorf and the official Rennhotel Tauern Spa. Finally, you have to master the two-lap course over 21.1 km along the shores of Lake Zell and through the charming old town in the heart of the Austrian Alps.
Voices for the race
For Race Director Patrick Schörkmayr it is already the 5th edition as the main person responsible for the event. As the finisher of the IRONMAN South Africa in 2016, he knows what a race has to offer in order to leave a lasting impression in the triathlon community: “The IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun is a very special event that you can do in this form found nowhere else in the world. The backdrop is a special treat for both locals and foreign athletes and we look forward to returning to Zell am See-Kaprun every year. Despite the difficult circumstances, we are doing everything we can to make the event unforgettable for our athletes. “
Renate Ecker, Managing Director of the Zell am See-Kaprun Tourist Association, can hardly wait for the event to return: “Zell am See-Kaprun is particularly pleased that the legendary IRONMAN 70.3 2021 is finally taking place again. The sport highlight of the year in the region starts with a jump into the crystal clear water of Lake Zell. The athletes are very welcome in the unique landscape between glacier, mountain and lake. The 9th IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun underlines the Pinzgau region as a top sports destination. “
You can find more information about the IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun at www.ironman.com/im703-zell-am-see. Further information on the Safe Return to Racing measures can be found at www.ironman.com/athlete-smart.
