IRONMAN announced today a professional race structure change for select 70.3 events in North America during the 2016 race season.
IRONMAN will split the male and female pro fields at four different IRONMAN events and two IRONMAN 70.3 events, starting with IRONMAN Lake Placid and IRONMAN Canada on July 24, 2016.
The changes are being piloted "in an effort to provide some of the most historic and longest running IRONMAN races with professional fields that highlight our female and male athletes independently," officials said.
Chattanooga will feature the men's competition on Sept.
25 of next year.
Below are schedule changes for the 2016 North American Season:
All Female Professional Field
IRONMAN Lake Placid – July 24, 2016
IRONMAN Wisconsin – September 11, 2016
IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta – September 25, 20126
All Male Professional Field
IRONMAN Canada – July 24, 2016
IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz – September 11, 2016
IRONMAN Chattanooga – September 25, 2016
Officials said, "The selection of these races was based on the dates on which they are held and the overall qualifying schedule to ensure both genders have the opportunity to compete in a race on the same weekend. A race that hosts a female only professional race will be countered by a race on the same day which holds a male only professional race."
Andrew Messick, chief executive officer for IRONMAN, said, “We are always looking for ways to improve our events. Guided by professional athlete feedback which was shared with the Women For Tri board for further dialogue, we are taking this important step in the next progression of competitive racing.
“We are excited to try this pilot in 2016 and provide our female and male pros a unique racing experience, and a platform for each athlete field to shine. We hope to see an amazing professional line up and outstanding competition at these races.”
“I think that this change for 2016 is a great step forward for female professional triathletes and I am pleased that IRONMAN is implementing new ways to highlight their female pros,” said reigning and three-time IRONMAN World Champion Mirinda Carfrae. “Women will be the first ones into the water and out on the course – this will help eliminate many of the crossover issues pro women face racing between the pro men and age-group athletes.”