2009 RACE COURSE IS SET…FINALLY!

Sorry for the delay but we think it was well worth it. We have reached an agreement with the City of Haikou for our new race course (pending signature) and will be posting information regarding the new course on my web site: www.ironmanchina.com over the next few days.

The new course is what we call the “East side course” with the swim in the Nandu River, the transition area on the west bank of the Nandu River, two-loop bike course, including the popular rural village sections from the 2008 course, and a two-loop run course along the Nandu River finishing at East-West Lake Park / 2008 Finish Line.

With this decision made, we are moving as quickly as possible to name our host hotel. As soon as this is done, our travel partners will be able to offer travel packages. For those wanting to make immediate hotel arrangements we are recommending the Crown Spa Resort www.csrhn.com . The travel section of my web sites will be updated shortly with additional information.

We apologize that it has taken this long to make this announcement but the process in China sometimes moves at its own pace -- especially with the Olympics this summer. It would have been much easier for us to reuse last year’s race course but new roads have made the new course possible with major improvements to the swim, bike and run courses. Believe me, this course was worth the effort and the wait.

Thanks for your patience and let the games begin!