IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Group company, today announced its event expansion in Asia with a brand-new multisport festival in Desaru Coast, Malaysia. Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN will be held from 17-19 April 2020; the festival is the first of its kind in Asia, and will comprise an IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon, 5150TM Triathlon along with IRONKIDS® and Sprint races. The multisport festival weekend will feature IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast, the latest addition to the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia race calendar. The 5150 Desaru Coast, Sprint Desaru Coast and IRONKIDS Desaru Coast races will provide a fresh challenge for newcomers in the sport of triathlon.

Situated on the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, Desaru Coast presents a scenic racecourse with a pristine 17-km beachfront that faces eastwards over the clear ocean waters with white sandy beaches and warm tropical weather. The course will start with a single-loop 1.9-km (1.2-mile) swim, with a start line located footsteps away from the official hotel, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort. This is followed by a 90-km (56-mile) ride on a two-loop bike course along the coastline on smooth, flat roads. Athletes will then take on a 21.1-km (13.1-mile) shaded run course to the finish line at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort. The race offers 60 qualifying slots to the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupō, New Zealand taking place on November 28-29, 2020.

A new, integrated coastal destination resort in Malaysia, Desaru Coast is infused with globally renowned hotels and resorts, two championship golf courses, a conference centre, and an adventure waterpark. The destination enjoys a moderate, windy climate year-round with a natural landscape to welcome athletes from all over the world.

The Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN is part of the destination’s annual events programme, a curation of special events focusing on sports, lifestyle, and entertainment, designed exclusively to nurture Desaru Coast as a signature events destination. Located in the south eastern region of Malaysia, Desaru Coast can be easily accessed by land, sea and air, and offers a premium blend of tourism offerings which not only cater to high calibre sporting events, but also allow athletes and visitors alike an endless opportunity for escape. IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast and 5150 Desaru Coast will join the IRONMAN Asia circuit as the third and fourth races in Malaysia, adding to existing races which includes IRONMAN Malaysia and IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi. Registration is now open for the Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/70.3desaru