Some of the UK’s top male pros are going head-to-head on the south coast this weekend as Ironman Weymouth promises a show to remember tomorrow.

Though the full distance race is age group only, the professionals will tackle the 70.3 distance of a 1.9k swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run.

This is the first time in European Ironman history that both a full Ironman and Ironman 70.3 will be held concurrently.

Leading the way will be some of the finest Ironman pro triathletes, battling it out for the $15,000 prize purse, in the 70.3 race only, whilst also looking for qualifying points towards their Ironman World Championship Pro rankings. The first pro athlete is expected to cross the finish line from 10:45am.

In the Men’s Pro Field, Ironman 70.3 Weymouth welcomes over 20 athletes to this stunning coastline, with an exciting race anticipated between UK’s Fraser Cartmell, Harry Wiltshire, Marc Threlfall and former European 70.3 World Champion Ritchie Nicholls up against Germany’s Marc Duelsen and USA’s Brad Williams and Justin Metzler, all looking to mark their place in history as the event’s first champion.

With firm favourite Lucy Gossage sadly being forced to withdraw due to injury in the Women’s Pro race, it leaves the podium wide open with all entries hoping to take the top spot in this compact field, which sees Spain’s Dolca Olle Gatell as the only non GBR entry.

The event gets underway at 6.50am when the athletes take the plunge in Weymouth Bay, in a rolling start up until 07:20am and will run through to the finale at The Pavillion in Weymouth’s town centre, up to 16.5 hours later.

Almost 2,000 athletes will be tackling a 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim, followed by a 56 mile (90km) bike ride and then a 13.1 mile (21.1km) half-marathon all as one race – referred to as Ironman 70.3 – whilst a further 900 athletes will be tackling the full Ironman distance, double that of a 70.3.

From the 2,800 entries, 57 countries will be represented with athletes from the age of 18 to 73 from all walks of life, each with their own story to tell as to why they’ve entered such a challenge, and to prove anything is possible.

Losing weight, battling health problems, marking milestone birthdays and charity fundraising are just some of the inspirational reasons why competitors are taking part, with a remarkable 52 per cent embarking on an Ironman 70.3 and 38 per cent for an Ironman for the first time.

Thousands of spectators are expected and welcomed across the route, which starts from Weymouth Bay.

The athletes then mount their bikes to travel up the Jurassic coast and through the Dorset countryside for a one or two lap cycle course taking in picturesque villages, speed, hills and beauty to help the athletes pass away the miles.

Once the athletes have completed the looped bike course back into transition, which is located in Lodmore Country park, the race concludes with a multi lap run course in the heart of Weymouth and historic sea front.

Lined with over 40 cafes, restaurants and bars, it promises for a fantastic atmosphere and organisers are encouraging as many local residents as possible to come and watch and cheer these inspirational athletes along.

Ironman 70.3 Weymouth is sold out, but late entries for Ironman Weymouth will be available for any last minute athletes looking for a challenge on site.

Alternatively, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, across all aspects of the event weekend.

To find out more about how you can join the Ironman Weymouth volunteer team and help play a key role, check out www.ironman.com/weymouth

For more detailed information on road closures affecting local areas on the bike and run course including maps and timings, please visit www.ironman.com/weymouth or Ironman 70.3 Weymouth.