Sri Lanka is chosen to host the Ironman 70.3 and 5150 Series race, offering qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championship 70.3 and 5150 Series Championship.

The event includes over 40 races worldwide and the 15-race 5150 Triathlon Series.

In a press release yesterday, the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announced Sri Lanka will be the newest location added to their growing list of international locales.

The Ironman 70.3 Sri Lanka and the 5150 event will debut on February 19, 2012 from Galle Face Green. Registration has not opened yet.

Shannon Kurek, co-race director, said “Sri Lanka is an incredible destination location. Colombo is a very athlete-friendly host city that will bring everything conveniently together within walking distance from the host hotels for this inaugural Ironman 70.3 and 5150 race.”

“Sri Lanka is excited to be bringing the Ironman brand to Colombo, and we look forward to showcasing this spectacular triathlon venue to the multisport world,” says Marlon Saldin, event co-race Director.

Once called “the finest island for its size in the world” by Marco Polo, Sri Lanka will provide participants many reasons for an extended stay beyond the race weekend with its seductive beaches and magnificent landscapes that feature lazy lagoons, fertile wetlands, ecologically-wondrous types of forest, imposing mountains, bounteous rivers and waterfalls, along with an abundance of wildlife, WTC said.

WTC also noted that The New York Times named Sri Lanka the #1 place in the world to visit in 2010.

“While this race breaks new ground, the race course and event operations in Sri Lanka will be first rate,” said Ironman Asia-Pacific Managing Director Murphy Reinschreiber.

The 70.3 will use a three lap course for the 56 mile bike ride and a two lap course for the 13.1 mile run. The 5150 race will use a single lap course for both the 40K bike ride and the 10K run.

An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the WTC consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike and a marathon (26.2 miles 42.195 km) run, raced in that order and without a break.

More race information will be available in the coming weeks for Ironman 70.3 & 5150 Sri Lanka at www.ironmansrilanka.com or by contacting SriLanka@ironman.com.