TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2012) -- For 34 years, IRONMAN has remained committed to delivering world- class event experiences for athletes around the globe. By suspending registration for the 2013 Aquadraat Sports IRONMAN U.S. Championship, we were able to take the time to thoroughly review all aspects of the event. Our conclusion: this race cannot be conducted in the way our athletes expect and deserve. After carefully considering feedback from athletes, spectators, partners, volunteers and our host communities, IRONMAN has decided to cancel the Aquadraat Sports IRONMAN U.S. Championship.

Producing an event in a large urban market is complex and challenging. The combination of the ferries, transition in Palisades Interstate Park, and the difficulty for our spectators to watch much of the inaugural race all combined to create an experience that needed substantial improvement. Also, the inability to have amplified sound in Riverside Park after 10 p.m. does not allow us to offer the IRONMAN finish line experience our athletes love. Celebrating each athlete's accomplishment by announcing the coveted words: "You are an IRONMAN," is a unique and important part of our races.

The resources needed to reconfigure a number of elements, as well as properly address the logistical complexity and operational challenges of this particular race aren't realistic. An important part of our commitment to the IRONMAN experience is the relationship between registration price and the value to athletes. We cannot uphold this commitment while producing the caliber of race our athletes deserve.

Creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for athletes, spectators, partners and volunteers is our priority. We continue to be amazed by our athletes and all of those involved in the success of our events, and we congratulate everyone, especially the more than 4,000 volunteers, who made the 2012 Aquadraat Sports IRONMAN U.S. Championship a memorable day in IRONMAN's history. We hope each of you will continue your IRONMAN journey and be a part of another event in the IRONMAN Series.

For more information on IRONMAN, visit www.ironman.com or www.ironmanuschampionship.com. Please direct athlete inquiries to NYC@ironman.com and media inquiries to media@ironman.com.

About IRONMAN
The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world's most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, World Triathlon Corporation (d/b/a IRONMAN), owner and operator of the IRONMAN® Series, has grown from owner of a single race to a global sensation with nearly 190 events across five unique brands: IRONMAN®, IRONMAN 70.3®, 5150TM Triathlon Series, Iron Girl® and IronKids®. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.