Over 2,000 triathletes will take part in the Ironman 70.3 scheduled to take place this June 18 in Carrillo, Guanacaste.

Considering the large number of participants in the famous endurance competition the area expects between 8 to 10 thousand visitors to be in the area next weekend.

According to the mayor of Carillo, Guanacaste, Carlos Cantillo, the county is has prepared accordingly and it is ready to receive this number of visitors.

“There are still rooms available in nearby hotels, the different businesses are ready. This will move the economy in the county”, affirmed Cantillo. According to estimates by the organization and the Municipality this event could generate close to US$8 million.

Some of the hotels confirmed they have been completely booked for that weekend since a few weeks after the registration process opened up; such is the case of Hotel Casino Coco Beach, Flor de Itabo and Bosque del Mar.

Alejandro Castro, Marketing Director for the Costa Rica Tourism Board, commented: “We will have the direct impact of the athletes participating in the event, most of them travel with their family and the majority has high purchasing power. The nearby communities will receive the benefits of this event, because the race includes several spots”.

Since the month of June is usually part of the “low season” in Costa Rica’s tourism, events like the Ironman 70.3 are of great help to the local businesses.

“The events of this level are important not just because of the tourism factor, but because of the link that can be formed between the Ironman brand and the Costa Rica brand”, explained Castro.

The inauguration of the event will take place Friday, June 16; the competition will take place on Sunday, starting at 6:15 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m.

Costa Rican triathlete Leonardo Chacón recently confirmed his participation in the half ironman, who was recovering from an injury and just received authorization from his team to join the competition,

“I am more than happy, as an athlete I always want to compete and doing it here in my land, Guanacaste, It’s motivating”, mentioned Chacón.