Athletes Conquer Challenging Ocean Conditions To Conclude A Successful 8th Edition of The 2024 Vinfast Ironman 70.3 Viet Nam Multi-Sport Festival
● Nearly 3,000 participants joined Vietnam's largest multi-day, multi-sport festival, capped off by a successful 8th edition of the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam that saw a 87,5% completion rate.
● Large swells led organizers to adjust the swim course, ensuring a safe yet challenging first leg of the event.
● Fabien Celeste and Ana Garcia Rodas emerged victorious with decisive victories while Vietnamese female athletes claimed two of the podium spots.
Da Nang, Vietnam, May 12th, 2024 - The 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam came to a successful end, drawing nearly 3,000 participants to Da Nang and its picturesque Son Thuy beach. In addition to the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam, the three-day event featured the SUNRISE SPRINT Viet Nam, IRONKIDS Viet Nam, and Newborns Vietnam Run Out. The event was organized by Sunrise Events Vietnam (SEV) with the support of the Department of Culture & Sports of Da Nang. The festival atmosphere at the finish line on the beach of the Hyatt Regency Spa & Resort provided an ideal backdrop to celebrate a thrilling race weekend.
The largest multi-sport weekend in Vietnam–with events tailored to all ages and skill levels–attracted a diverse and international audience, drawing athletes from 52 countries and territories. Notably, the event also set a new record for Vietnamese participation, with Vietnamese athletes accounting for more than 65% of participants in the IRONMAN 70.3 event.
The ocean was uncharacteristically turbulent, with large swells over the weekend which led to adjustments on the swim course for both the Sunrise Sprint on Saturday and the IRONMAN 70.3 race on Sunday. The organizers adjusted the swim course to ensure a safe and challenging swim leg for the participants.
"The ocean conditions were challenging this year, due to the large swells," said Fabien Celeste. The organizers did a great job adapting the course. It was still a tough day out there, and I'm proud to have pushed through and come out on top." The top three male finishers all showcased incredible athleticism in finishing the event in under four hours.
Fabien Celeste, took top honors in a time of 3 ho
urs 56 minutes 09 seconds. He was pursued doggedly throughout the run by Chia Hao Chang, who finished 2 minutes 8 seconds behind with a time of 3 hours 58 minutes 17 seconds. Robert Dendle from Australia rounded out the podium with 3 hours 59 minutes 06 seconds.
The female contestants in the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam were no less exceptional in their performances on the day. Ana Garcia Rodas, emerged victorious supported by a blazing 2:22 bike leg on the way to an overall finishing time of 4:23:07. Following closely behind her was Nguyen Thi Kim Cuong, winner of the National Triathlon Championships just eight days ago, claiming second place with a time of 4:27:59. Securing third place was Nguyen Tra My (Myca), who earned her place on the podium with a time of 4:34:24.
Top 3 Overall Male Results
Top 3 Overall Female Results
Mr. Nguyen Trong Thao, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Danang City, announced, “Sports and tourism are two closely related aspects of people's cultural and spiritual lives. Sports events like the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam have gained immense popularity over the years, attracting many international athletes and inspiring many Vietnamese athletes. We are pleased to maintain our close collaboration with Sunrise Events Vietnam in presenting such a successful event. The economic benefits of sports events are undeniable, as athletes and spectators alike are often eager to explore the host city and its surrounding areas. To ensure that Da Nang City remains a preferred destination for sports enthusiasts, the city's leadership is committed to hosting international-standard, world-class sports events, such as the IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam, and to allow visitors to be captivated by Da Nang's stunning scenery, vibrant culture, and rich history. There are plenty of exciting things to discover while staying in Da Nang, making it a must-visit destination for sports enthusiasts and tourists.”
Karen Matthews Operation Manager of IRONMAN Asia shared “I want to congratulate all the athletes who completed the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam event today. This is one of the favorite events in the region given the enthusiasm and passion of the local athletes who have truly embraced the spirit of “Anything is Possible” as they conquered rough sea conditions and hot temperatures to finish today. This event has now become the largest IRONMAN 70.3 event in Southeast Asia and I’m excited to see how it and the triathlon community continue to grow as we approach a decade in Vietnam”
Le Viet Phuong, the Race Director of the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam, expressed her appreciation to the athletes and everyone involved in this year’s race: "First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the athletes and everyone involved in the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam. The exceptional athleticism and sportsmanship displayed were truly inspiring, and I want to emphasize the significant contributions of our participants, organizers, sponsors, and volunteers to the success of this event.
I deeply appreciate the resilience and determination shown not only by our athletes, who faced challenging conditions with large ocean swells but also by our team in swiftly responding to these obstacles to deliver another unforgettable event. The spirit of competition and camaraderie prevailed despite the rough waters, making this year's event a true testament to the unwavering dedication of our athletes and the collective effort that made it a remarkable success."
The IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam has always been a tribute to the indomitable spirit of athleticism, and the growth of this event among Vietnamese athletes since its inception in 2015 has been meteoric. Sunrise Events Vietnam is therefore already looking forward to planning next year’s edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam, which will commemorate the 10th anniversary of IRONMAN coming to Vietnam. The collaboration of the organizing committee and all its partners, including the city of Da Nang, the department of Sports and Culture of Da Nang, the police, IRONMAN, event sponsors, and many others will ensure that the 10th anniversary will be a memorable edition. We look forward to seeing you at the starting line in 2025.
Event Information:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRONMAN70.3Vietnam
Website: https://www.ironman.com/im703-vietnam
The photo collection of the event: here
ABOUT SUNRISE EVENTS VIETNAM
Sunrise Events Vietnam (SEV) was established in 2015 and is the exclusive licensee of the World Triathlon Corporation for IRONMAN 70.3 and IRONKIDS events in Vietnam. SEV’s vision is to inspire 100 million Vietnamese to embrace their full potential through the power of sports and healthy habits. Starting with Vietnam, the company’s mission is to create the most sought-after mass participatory events in Southeast Asia that promote sports tourism, expand the health and wellness ecosystem, and deliver transformative experiences and sustainable impact to individuals, businesses, and communities we serve. SEV also organizes leading endurance sports events and unique experiences, including Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam, BIM Group IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc, and Techcombank Ha Noi Marathon.
ABOUT THE IRONMAN GROUP
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB®, Tarawera Ultra™ by UTMB® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
ABOUT VINFAST
VinFast, a member of Vingroup, envisioned driving the movement for the global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with globally leading scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced innovative services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy for all to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility and a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.com.