The first version of this story had a mistake in the date of the event in the main text - it's in September, not December
It’s February, the heart of the low season, and maybe you need some motivation to get out and moving, a goal to set and make sure you end the year in better condition than you started it. For some this goal will simply be to move a little more each day, or to eat less junk food, or do a stretch or two in the shower. But if you like to aim high, and are already starting from a position of enviable strength, then take some time consider the Ironman triathlon – with swimming, cycling and running in the beautiful surroundings of the Slovenian coast, taking in Koper, Izola, Piran and Ankaran, with a trip to Italy included in with the price of entry.
The race first arrived in Slovenia in 2018, adding to the list of extreme sporting events members of the public can try their hands and feet at, along with such Red Bull sponsored occasions as the Planica 400 (usually in September) and Goni Pony, which both see competitors go up steep slopes, by foot and mini-bicycle, respectively.
Ironman, though, is a different breed, with a far more punishing, lengthy and varied task ahead of the entrants, and far fewer possibilities for wearing a costume.
The route for Slovenia's Ironman race
IRONMAN 70.3 Slovenian Istria, to give the race its full and correctly capitalized name, will start with a 1.9 km swim in the sea by Koper, followed by a 90.1 km bike ride through the town itself, followed by Ankaran, and then crossing the border to go along the picturesque Italian coast, including the town of Muggia. The cycling stage then returns to Slovenia and will challenge competitors with various ascents and descents in Istria. The last part of the race is a 21.1 km run, with the finish line by the sea in Koper.
It all sounds easy enough, from the comfort of one’s couch in February. But if you want to enter then you can register here and start planning your training regime, with just six months to go until the big day, Sunday 6 September 2020
What’s more, if you’re a truly competitive beast – and if you weren’t, would you be considering an Ironman? – then note that the race offers qualifying slots for the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in St. George, Utah (USA). The official website, with all the details, can be found here.
