Eight set to test their mettle

Eight Rockingham athletes are among a big contingent from Perth’s southern suburbs to nominate for the upcoming Mandurah Ironman 70.3.

Mandurah has the biggest representation with 13 people entered, while Secret Harbour (nine), Waikiki (seven) and Baldivis (five) also featured prominently on the acceptance list released last week.

Nearly 700 athletes will converge on Mandurah for the inaugural race, which comprises a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run.

Competitors from England, New Zealand and the Czech Republic are among the international athletes who will face the starter’s gun on October 21.

The race gets under way with the swimming leg, which will take entrants through the Mandurah canals.

The two-lap cycle course starts at Hall Park and heads north along Mandurah Road, while the run leg finishes on the Mandjar Bay foreshore.

Online entries closed last week, however, a limited number of late entries will be available onsite for a $20 late fee during the check-in on October 19 and 20.

A separate Ironkids event is set down for October 20, with entries open until October 17 unless sold out earlier.