Marbella consolidates itself as an international benchmark in hosting sports events following the success of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Marbella has established itself as an international benchmark in hosting sporting events following the success of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, held this weekend for the first time in Spain. The town's mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, who participated in today's award ceremony at the La Caridad Multifunctional Venue, highlighted the sporting, economic, and media impact of the event, which brought together more than 20,000 people including athletes and their companions.

The mayor expressed satisfaction with the competition's development and emphasized that it was "a great honor" for the city to be chosen as the host. "In the middle of November, our exceptional climate has allowed for unbeatable conditions for sports activities," she noted, also highlighting "the extensive hotel facilities and tourist infrastructure, capable of guaranteeing quality services throughout the year."

The World Championship had millions of impacts on social media and live broadcasts that showcased Marbella around the world

The mayor, who presented an award to the male category champion, Belgian Jelle Geens, and to the female category winner, British triathlete Lucy Charles-Barclay, emphasized that the event had "a significant economic and social return for the workers and business owners of Marbella, in addition to a wide-reaching media effect, with millions of impacts on social media and live broadcasts that showed spectacular images of the city to the entire world."

More than 3,000 volunteers and municipal services

She also thanked the neighboring municipalities of Coín, Ojén, Monda, and Cártama, which were part of the bike course, and acknowledged the effort of the security forces, the Traffic Civil Guard, the more than 3,000 volunteers, and the staff of various municipal services, especially the Operational Services and Cleaning teams, "whose work was fundamental to the success of the event."

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Educational Development and Vocational Training of the Junta de Andalucía, María Esperanza O'Neill, congratulated the Marbella City Council "for its commitment to sports and culture" and highlighted the municipality's ability "to organize large international events that project the image of Spain and Andalusia around the world." Lastly, the CEO of Ironman, Scott De Rue, described the Marbella edition as "the best Ironman," praising both the organization and the city's environment, as well as the enthusiasm shown by the public and volunteers.