Rwanda is set to host the third edition of Ironman Triathlon race next month in Rubavu district for the third time since the game’s was first hosted in the country. The 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Rwanda race follows two successful events hosted in 2022 and 2023.
The event scheduled 4 August will attract athletes from Rwanda and around the world in a 1.9km swim on shores of Lake Kivu, a 90km bike course, and a multi-lap 21.1km run along the lake’s shoreline.
The games normally attract a big number of athletes from the United States, South Africa, Germany. However, other participants from Kenya, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, DR Congo, Czech Republic, Germany, Egypt, Spain, France, UK have also been participating.
Speaking to the press in Kigali, Zephanie Niyonkuru, Deputy CEO of RDB told journalists that the event is part of the visit Rwanda initiative aimed at boosting local tourism.
With the Visit Rwanda initiative, he observed, the country has partnered with global event’s organizers to make sure the events are superbly hosted and that’s something worthy of celebration.
He said “sports pull factors are used to catalyze the country’s economic growth and when the people come here they spend and we are making sure Rwanda Air travel is eased to facilitate the incoming of the tourists.”
As part of the revenue collection from international travels, the official said Rwanda earned 13 million $ in the last financial year from 1400 tourists.
Furthermore, Leonidas Gatete, the Business Development Manager at Rwanda Convention Bureau said the bars are set higher as far as event catering is concerned.
The service providers are ready as well as those who can do side events with entertainment and clubs, he said noting “this will boost money circulation and increase the consumption in the whole value chain in the country.”
The Ironman 70.3 Triathlon is a type of a game which combines three sporting competitions of cycling, marathon and swimming. (End)