TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Ironman Taiwan will take place on Sunday, drawing nearly 1,000 triathletes from around the world to compete in the 226-km race.

The event features a 3.8-km swim, 180-km bike ride, and 42.2-km marathon. Triathletes began arriving in Penghu on Friday in preparation for the competition, according to CNA.

This year’s race will see 917 participants, including 632 from Taiwan and 285 international athletes representing 41 regions. Japan has the largest contingent with 89 competitors, followed by nearly 30 athletes from Hong Kong and the US.

Athletes will have 17 hours to complete the course. The top 65 male and 35 female finishers will earn spots at the upcoming Ironman World Championships in Nice, France, and Kona, Hawaii.

Since 2023, the Ironman World Championship has been split into separate men's and women's races held in different locations. The events now alternate annually between Kona, Hawaii and Nice, France, resulting in two World Championship races each year, according to Triathlete.

Former champions Hsu Jen-mao (許仁茂) and Chen Li-yun (陳俐妘), who won the 2022 Ironman Taiwan titles, will return to defend their crowns.

A highlight of this year’s event is the partnership between visually impaired athlete Lee Hsieh-hsing (李協興) and 2024 Ironman Philippines champion Wu Cheng-tai (吳承泰). Their goal is to help Lee become the first Taiwanese athlete with a disability to compete on the Ironman World Championship stage.