Plava Laguna Ironman is sold out: it will gather 1.900 competitors or generate over 20.000 overnight stays

The Plava Laguna Ironman 70.3 Poreč, Istria - Croatia will take place on Sunday, October 19. It is a major sports triathlon competition that Plava Laguna is bringing to Poreč for the fourth year in a row.

The race is sold out and 1900 competitors from all continents are expected.

The importance of sports tourism, apart from promotion and other factors, is best demonstrated by overnight stays. Last year, Ironman - albeit unofficially, but according to estimates, generated over 20.000+ nights in Poreč.

As each competitor on average comes with a minimum of 2 more followers and stays with a minimum of 2-3 nights (the day before the race, the day of the race, the day after) for logistics, rest and recovery, and the majority of competitors stay for 7 days, and we get a "calculation" of over 20.000 overnight stays. Of course, we also have to record other guests, technical staff, followers of this sport... and unofficial figures say the same. 

This is both a solution to extend the tourist season and a "justification" that investing in events is not an expense, but an investment. Incidentally, it is interesting that at the beginning of the year in January in they sell out everything in the first round of registration, which means that the destination, and thus the accommodation facilities in At the start of the year they know how full they will be in October. 

"The success of such a large event largely depends on good organization, but also on the understanding of the local community, so we are grateful to the City of Poreč, the Municipality of Funtana and the tourist boards, but also to every citizen who has understanding for the large number of people who are in our city at that time and for the closed roads that such extensive organization entails.", emphasized the race director, prof. Goran Vrus. 

The route begins with a swimming section (1.9 km), and the start itself is at the Zelena Resort in Poreč, in front of the Parentium Plava Laguna hotel. It continues with a cycling section (90 km) on the route Poreč - Višnjan, with parts of the ride on the closed Istrian Y. The last, running route, starts at the Zelena Resort and leads to the center of the old town of Poreč and back.

A traffic study has been prepared to minimize the impact on the maximum possible traffic flow, given that certain sections of public roads along the cycling and running routes will be partially or completely closed. Therefore, traffic will be conducted according to special traffic regulations in cooperation with employees of the Ministry of the Interior and representatives of the Ironman 70.3 organizing team.

Although some sections will be closed for several hours, alternative options for citizens to reach their desired destinations will be offered and marked at all times. This especially applies to entering Poreč from the south and north. We will inform the public about the details of the closure and the exact timetables in a timely manner immediately before the event.

The presence of such a big brand as Ironman has a very high promotional value for Istria, Poreč and Croatia as a tourist destination, especially outside the main tourist season when sport is one of the main reasons for arrivals.

The day before the main race itself, on Saturday, October 18th The Ironkids children's race will be held in cooperation with the Croatian Olympic Committee. The race is free for all participants and children can register now at the link: https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-croatia/ironkids

"More than 80 young athletes between the ages of 5 and 14 have already registered, mostly children of the race participants, so we urge you to secure a place in the race for your little ones as soon as possible.", the organizers point out.