Triathletes from across the region are gearing up for an epic day as months of training culminate on Sunday in Ironman Weymouth.

The most famous brand in triathlon returns to the south coast for the first time since 2008 with more than 2,700 competitors signed up to either take on the full Ironman distance of a 3.8km swim, 112 mile bike and a marathon run, or the 70.3, consisting of half the distance in all three disciplines.

The 70.3 race, which boasts a professional field, has totally sold out, underlining the sport’s popularity and Ironman’s undoubted pulling power.

For many athletes, the race will be a pinnacle of their sporting career, with at least six months of hard work and dedication coming together on one day.

For others it will be about competing at the pointy end of the field and striving for victory.

One of the leading lights from the region is Rob Arkell, who goes in the 30-34 age group.

The Fareham triathlete, who works in Park Gate, grabbed a podium spot in his last race, Ironman 70.3 Budapest, and has already raced the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

Now he is on the hunt for a first full distance Ironman podium.

Both events will commence with a 2.4 mile (Ironman) or one lap 1.2 mile (70.3) swim in Weymouth Bay. This will be a rolling start swim, as is now implemented across all UK events to reduce congestion.

All athletes will exit the water after the first 1.2 mile lap, with Ironman athletes re-entering for a second lap.

The bike course will start and finish from transition in the heart of Weymouth, showcasing the best of the area across either a 112 mile (Ironman) two lap route or a 56 mile (70.3) single lap. This one or two lap anti-clockwise route promises to provide both speed, hills and beauty across rolling countryside and some charming villages.

Comprising just over 1,880m of elevation over the two laps, the athletes will relish the spectator support to spur them on as they make their way from Weymouth via Osmington and through the picturesque villages of Puddletown, Piddlehinton and Cerne Abbas.

Notable changes have seen the removal of some of the smaller roads to offer a safer route for the larger number of participants. There will also be a new loop north of Dorchester, replicating some of the original Ironman Sherborne course in 2006.

Once the athletes have completed the bike course, the race concludes with either a 26.2 mile (Ironman) or 13.1 mile (70.3) run, comprising a two or four lap course respectively.

This multi-lap run will take the athletes around the town, harbour and the sea front. Lined with over 40 cafes, restaurants and bars, it offers outstanding spectator viewing and makes for an electric atmosphere to spur the athletes along to the finish line right up to the 8.5 hours (70.3) or 17 hours cut off time.

The event will mark the first time both an Ironman and an Ironman 70.3 race are held on the same day in Europe.

For many the big prize will simply be crossing the finishing line, but for those at the pointy end of things Ironman Weymouth will have 30 qualifying slots to the 2017 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Ironman 70.3 Weymouth will have 30 qualifying slots to the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. Professional athletes will compete for a total prize purse of $15,000 USD with the race offering P-500 KPR points as well.

Anybody thinking of travelling in and around Weymouth this weekend is advised to click this link for information about the road closures for the race > >