Mercer County to Host IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon

Mercer County will host an IRONMAN 70.3 mile triathlon on Sunday, September 21, 2014, IRONMAN officials announced on Tuesday. 

“We’re excited to be able to bring IRONMAN back to the tri-state area, and particularly to Princeton,” said Andrew Messick, CEO of IRONMAN. “Princeton and its surrounding area have a long and established history in triathlon and endurance sports, and we think this event will provide participants with one of the most scenic and challenging courses anywhere in North America.”

Race registration will open at noon EST on Monday, Dec. 16 at www.ironman.com/princeton. 

The 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 Princeton race will have a $15,000 USD professional prize purse and will be a P-500 race. Additionally, the race will offer 35 age group slots to the 2015 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

The race will lead athletes through a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. 

It will start with a single loop swim in Mercer Lake where athletes can expect a calm lake with mild temperatures. The bike will be a one-loop 56-mile course that will begin and end at Mercer County Park. Participants will make their way from the suburban park setting to the rolling country side of rural Monmouth County. 

The two and a half loop 13.1-mile run course will take place primarily on the paved jogging paths within Mercer County Park, making its way to nearby Mercer County College. Athletes will run through the center of campus, around the soccer and baseball venues before turning back onto the path connecting the college with the park. After the second lap, the course will finish in the Pavilion.

“We are thrilled to host a premier competition like the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon at Mercer County Park for the first time,” said County Executive Brian M. Hughes.  

STOMP The Monster is the official Charity Partner of the 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 Princeton, which will support a team of 100 athletes through their endurance training and fundraising program. The program participants will raise funds in order to provide financial and other support to cancer patients, their families, and caregivers when they need it most – during their fight with the disease.