It is hard not to notice the preparations for the event. The world’s most famous triathlon will take place on Sunday, preceded by the Night Run and children’s races. The weekend will end with the Fan Beach. For the eleventh time, the city will host an IRONMAN event.
After a one-year break from races under the “M-Dot” brand, Gdynia has had time to miss the unique atmosphere and prepare a new standard for the event. Michał Drelich, Director of IRONMAN Poland, spoke about this during today’s press conference.
This year, Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia brings together different communities and organisations more than ever before. We are working with the Polish Paralympic Committee and the Pho3nix Foundation, which promotes sport among children. We will also welcome a local Rural Women’s Association in the finisher zone. Thanks to our shared sponsor, Enea, the Polish Table Tennis Association will have its own zone on the beach, while the Gdynia Sailing Days regatta will take place alongside our event. And to top it all off, we will end the weekend by watching the FIFA World Cup final together on the beach, from the grandstands next to the Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia finish line. With so many sporting and cultural activities, there truly is something for everyone.
Michał Drelich, Director of IRONMAN Poland
This event plays an important role in bringing together the local community, tourists and people accompanying the triathletes during their stay in our city. This year’s race takes place on the same day as the FIFA World Cup final, and it is great that the organisers of Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia decided to use this opportunity and allow everyone interested to watch the match on a big screen in the finish line zone on the city beach.
Mariusz Bzdęga, Managing Director for Culture and Community Activities in Gdynia
Before the finish line zone and its grandstands turn into the Fan Beach, athletes and triathlon fans can look forward to plenty of sporting challenges included in the programme of the Gdynia event.
The sporting weekend in Gdynia begins on Friday evening. Nearly 1,000 people will take on the 5 km Night Run Gdynia course along the Seaside Boulevard, with the finish line on the beach. On Saturday, it will be time to enjoy sport in its purest and most inspiring form during Pho3nix IRONKIDS Gdynia, a race for children and young people.
Iza Lisiecka, IRONMAN Poland Coordinator
The organisers say that the one-year break was put to good use. Changes to the Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia programme have led to higher participation in the main race, the Olympic-distance race and the accompanying runs. These changes have also been welcomed by the city authorities.
Gdynia is a wonderful place and a great setting for sporting events. Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia is an important part of the shared history of our city and the event organisers. Seeing the real benefits for the city and its community, I would like to thank the organisers for understanding our needs and for being open to developing a refreshed format for the triathlon weekend in Gdynia.
Tadeusz Szemiot, Chairman of the Gdynia City Council
Sporting events also drive economic growth, both at city and regional level. The Marshal’s Office of the Pomorskie Region recognises this impact. During the press conference, Przemysław Dalecki pointed to the measurable role such events play in the development of cities and regions.
Tourism generates as much as 5 percent of Poland’s GDP. These are huge amounts, and sports tourism accounts for 10 percent of this income. The Pomorskie Region has many tourist attractions and continues to develop infrastructure that supports sports tourism. IRONMAN events are a perfect way to showcase these strengths.
Przemysław Dalecki, Deputy Director of the Sports Department at the Marshal’s Office of the Pomorskie Region
The Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia weekend is not only about sporting excitement, but also offers plenty of attractions for spectators. Enea, the title sponsor of the event, invites visitors to its Enea Zones on the city beach and in the Expo area. Attractions will include science workshops, VR experiences, sports games, skimboarding, a large-scale memory game, an AI photo booth, a first aid zone and activities with prizes for participants.
The return of Enea IRONMAN 70.3 to Gdynia after a one-year break is great news for the entire triathlon community. As the title sponsor, we are pleased to once again be part of this special event and help create its atmosphere. We want the Enea IRONMAN 70.3 weekend to be not only a celebration of sport, but also an opportunity to spend time together. That is why we have prepared many attractions for residents, tourists and spectators. We believe that events like this inspire people to be active, create positive energy and bring people together.
Berenika Ratajczak, Enea Press Officer
The athletes are undoubtedly the greatest source of inspiration. They push the limits of human ability and complete the IRONMAN 70.3 course in under four hours. One of the top athletes is Robert “WILKU” Wilkowiecki, who said during the press conference that Gdynia holds a special place in his heart.
It was here in Gdynia, in 2016, that I competed in an IRONMAN 70.3 race for the first time in my career. It was also here that I met Jan Frodeno, a legend of the sport, and that became one of the turning points in my career. He came up to me, and I was probably the youngest athlete in the PRO field at the time, and said: “Now you know what to chase.” Those words stayed with me for years. I have experienced many great moments in Gdynia, as well as a few more difficult ones, but they always taught me something and helped me continue to improve. My advice for this race is not to hold back during the swim and bike, because later, on the run, the atmosphere created by the spectators is so special that it simply carries you to the finish line.
Robert “WILKU” Wilkowiecki, Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia participant and PRO athlete
Gdynia is a unique location on the IRONMAN Poland map. It is the only place where spectators can stay in one area and see the athletes at the start of the swim, during the transition to the bike, at the start of the run and, of course, at the finish line. Swimming in the Bay of Gdańsk is one of the event’s defining features, but also a challenge that Gabriel Kowalski is ready to take on. The parasport swimmer will make his Gdynia debut as a member of a relay team.
This will be my first triathlon, but I do not think it will be my last. I received the offer from the Polish Paralympic Committee and decided it was worth trying. I live in the Tricity area and swim in the Bay of Gdańsk almost every day, so at least the swim, which is the biggest barrier for many people before taking part in a triathlon, does not worry me.
Gabriel Kowalski, parasport swimmer, relay participant in Gdynia, Polish Paralympic Committee
A special reward will be waiting at the finish line for everyone taking part in Sunday’s races. Each finisher will receive a medal inspired by traditional Kashubian embroidery, as well as treats prepared by the local Rural Women’s Association.
In the finisher zone, participants will be able to try traditional Kashubian treats prepared by the members of the Rural Women’s Association in Kamień. Residents of our municipality will also actively support the triathletes along the course. We want to show that instead of complaining about roads being closed for a few hours, people can simply become part of the event, either as participants or spectators.
Aleksandra Perz, Cultural Activities Coordinator in the Szemud Municipality
Cheering zones will also be located across Gdynia, with four of them along the run course. The organisers also invite spectators to take part in a city game. Collecting stamps on a special map will give participants a chance to take home event merchandise.
ENEA is the title sponsor of the IRONMAN Poland series. The City of Gdynia is the strategic partner of Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia, while the Pomeranian Voivodeship Government is an event partner. The event is also supported by the following sponsors and partners: Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, drWitt, Qemetica, Sportano.pl, Enterprise, Cisowianka, Czanieckie Makarony, Wessper, Medical Sport, Arcyksiążęcy Browar Zamkowy Cieszyn, Shimano, Medical Sport and 226ers.
