Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells-La Quinta Triathlon Postponed To 2021

INDIAN WELLS, CA — A sporting event that draws thousands to the Coachella Valley in December has been postponed due to the coronavirus.

The Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells-La Quinta triathlon, originally scheduled for December 6, will not take place this year, but event organizers say the race will return December 5, 2021.

"With the health and safety of our community being an utmost priority, and in alignment with public health agencies and local authorities in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we regret to advise that the IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells-La Quinta triathlon, originally scheduled for December 6, cannot take place in 2020 and will return on December 5, 2021. All registered athletes of the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells-La Quinta triathlon should have now received an email with further information. If you have additional questions or do not receive the email with further information, please contact indianwellslaquinta70.3@ironman.com," read a statement from Ironman Group.

"In what has been a continually evolving and challenging time globally, we thank our athletes for their commitment and look forward to providing them with an exceptional race experience in the future," the statement continued.

More than 3,000 athletes raced at the second annual Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells-La Quinta on December 8, 2019.

The Coachella Valley event is the final triathlon of the Ironman North American circuit. The race features a 1.9 km swim in Lake Cahuilla, a 90 km bike course through La Quinta and into the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, as well as a half-marathon run that traverses the Indian Wells Golf Resort.

In 2019, pro triathlete Lionel Sanders of Canada finished the race with the top time of 3:46:36. It was a repeat of his 2018 race in the desert when he finished in the number-one position with a time of 3:45:59.

On the women's side, pro Canadian Paula Findlay claimed the fastest time in 2019 with 4:07:37.