lifestyle, travel This is Cozumel

Cozumel is gearing up for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon race, this Sunday. Some 2,000 athletes from all over the planet will swim 1.2 miles (1.9 km), cycle 56 miles (90.1 km) and run 13.1 miles (21.1 km) around the island.

Streets will be closed, tourists and locals will gather excitedly along the route and a party atmosphere will take over as the athletes sweat it out for first place.

Organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) the "70.3" refers to the total distance in miles that the athletes cover, which is half as long as a full Ironman triathlon event.

This is the third year that the "half Ironman" has been held in Cozumel. In 2013 the exciting contest saw James Cunnama from South Africa and Annabel Luxford from Australia beating the field to win the men's and women's races respectively.

A full Ironman triathlon will also be held in Cozumel for the sixth time on November 30, 2014. More than 2,800 competitors from some 70 different countries took part in the 2013 Cozumel event, which forms part of the Ironman World Series.

Related Items:

Enduring Cozumel - Oct 10, 2013.

Volunteers Help Make Cozumel Ironman Success - Dec 2, 2012.

Cozumel Ironman Thrills Island Crowds - Dec 11, 2011.

Local Competitors Delight Crowds In Cozumel Ironman - Dec 9, 2010.

Athletes Prepare For Cozumel Ironman - Nov 26, 2010.

Ironman A Spectacular Success - Dec 11, 2009.

Island Endurance Test - Aug 26, 2008.