Athletes converge on Penrith for Ironman event * The Western Weekender
Athletes from around Australia and across the globe are putting the final touches on their preparations for a record-breaking Ironman 70.3 Western Sydney this weekend.
A number of temporary road closures will be in place when the major event returns to the Sydney International Regatta Centre and surrounds this Sunday, May 3.
This weekend's event will see more than 1800 age-group athletes take part in the sold-out event, racing alongside some of the top professional triathletes from across the region.
Sunday's event will feature a 1.9km swim within the Regatta Centre, a 90km ride heading north on Castlereagh Road and a 21.1km flat and fast run around the venue.
Vice President of Operations for The Ironman Group Asia-Pacific, Rebecca van Pooss, said the team was looking forward to welcoming athletes to the event.
"Our team can't wait to welcome more than 1800 athletes to western Sydney for this Sunday's sold-out event," she said.
"We have a great mix of athletes set to race on Sunday, from those who are taking on their first Ironman 70.3 to those more experienced, along with a strong field of professional athletes, and we look forward to seeing them make their way down the Ironman 70.3 finish line this weekend.
"Ironman 70.3 Western Sydney remains a popular event for our athletes from across Australia and further abroad and we're thrilled to be back in action this week. We'll have representatives from around the world take to the start line on Sunday, with New Zealand, the US, India, Singapore and the UK all well represented."
A western Sydney father who couldn't swim a few months ago is set to take on this Sunday's Ironman 70.3 Western Sydney after participating in a Learn to Swim program at Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre (SGAC) in Rooty Hill.
Indian-born Amit Gupta migrated to Australia eight years ago and had little experience in the water before taking up adult swimming lessons after he enrolled his kids at SGAC.
"My kids are the reason I started. I wanted to be able to swim with them properly, not just watch from the side," Gupta said.
"I didn't really know how to swim. I could get into the water, but I didn't know the technique or how to swim with my head down properly. The classes really helped me build that confidence."
That confidence inspired Gupta to start training for Ironman 70.3 Western Sydney.
"The kids are not only happy that we are all able to be in the water together, but they also think it's pretty cool that Dad is doing a race."
The 2026 event will also feature an IronKids race on Saturday, May 2, with children aged between 7-13 able to take part.
IronKids Western Sydney is set to be a run/bike/run with 7-9-year-olds taking on a 200m run, 1km ride and 500m run, while 10-13-year-olds will have a 400m run, 3km ride and 1km run.
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