Organizers of the Cozumel Ironman triathlon say there will be an "exciting showdown" this year, as the result of a tempting $100k prize purse at the races on Sunday, November 24, 2019.

Among the thousands of competitors, 30 of the world's best professional triathletes will compete on the island in less than 3 weeks time, attracted by the prize money and the opportunity to qualify directly for the 2020 Ironman World Championship.

Both professional opportunities are on offer this year due to the race being designated the Ironman Latin American Pro Championship for 2019.

Michael Weiss from Austria and Svenja Thoes from Germany will both be back to defend their men's and women's titles from last year.

The races are an endurance test of swimming, cycling and running, and forms part of the Ironman World Series. The Ironman World Championship was started in Hawaii in 1978 and has grown in popularity year-on-year.

The 2.4 mile (3.8 km) swim begins at the island's Chankanaab Park where athletes experience a picturesque swim with colorful fish and coral reefs during the two-loop course.

Following the first gruelling challenge is a 112 mile (180 km) cycle race on the roads around Cozumel, before finishing with a 26 mile (42 km) run, encompassing the downtown center of Cozumel.

This year watch out for the showdown as Weiss is challenged by Tyler Butterfield from Bermuda, Matt Hanson and Chris Leiferman from the USA and Patrik Nilsson from Denmark on the men's side.

Facing off in the women's field, Thoes will be fighting tough competition from Angela Naeth from Canada, Lisa Roberts from the USA and Laura Philipp from Germany, who recently finished fourth at the 2019 Vega Ironman World Championship.

If you're on the island get down to the circuit side and cheer on the pros and amateurs alike, it's an awesome event with an amazing atmosphere and you might even see sporting history made as records often get broken on the Cozumel course.