Start training now.

The inaugural IRONMAN race will take place in Cork on June 23rd, 2019 – the first full-distance, world class event of its kind to be held in Ireland.

The event will be a qualifier for the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i.

The race, set to be held in the coastal fishing town of Youghal, will get underway with a 3.8km (2.4-mile) swim and a rolling start from the golden and sandy Claycastle beach in Youghal Bay.

A two-lap 180km (112-mile) bike course is next. Starting off through the centre of Youghal town, cyclists will take on the challenge of climbing up the famous Windmill Hill twice.

The cyclists will then encounter a combination of flat country roads and undulating coastal roads with magnificent sea views of Youghal Bay, Ballycotton Island and Cork Harbour.

This breathtaking course goes around County Cork, into the town of Midleton and will rise to a max elevation of 190m above Midleton before a technical drop back into Youghal.

But that’s not all.

The 42km (26.2-mile) run course will be the highlight of the event. This will be a flat four-lap run course through the centre of the historical town of Youghal, taking in Youghal Harbour and the famous Clock Gate Tower. Athletes will run under the arch of the Clock Gate Tower in the centre of town during each lap before completing the epic challenge under the IRONMAN finishing arch in Market Square.

Ireland’s first full @IRONMANtri will take place in Youghal on June 23rd 2019 ~ https://t.co/88GCpyDeEW pic.twitter.com/oqj1SsuYa3

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) May 21, 2018

“Cork County Council is especially proud to join forces with IRONMAN which will bring an economic boost estimated to be over seven million Euro to the local economy.” said Tim Lucey, Chief Executive Cork County Council.

“But the impact is much more than that; we have the opportunity to promote East Cork but go even further into all that Cork has to offer.”

Up for the physical and mental challenge of a lifetime?

General registration for IRONMAN Ireland, Cork will open on Tuesday, June 5th, 2018 here.