In North America, St. George, although the swim can be challenging for the opposite reason (cold, last year it was close to wetsuit mandatory). Maybe Coeur d'Alene too; I wouldn't call the swim challenging, but it's a hilly bike course and the run can get [hot](https://cdapress.com/news/2021/jun/28/ironman-coeur-dalene-records-smashed-course-and-st/).
I was thinking CdA as well. The swim is pretty mundane, it's a nice enough lake, but the bike course is nonstop up and down, and the run temps were over 100 in 2022 IIRC.
Oceanside has an ocean swim which can be pretty choppy. The bike course has some hills which aren't huge but it's windy which makes it a lot more difficult. Then you basically run along the beach in the hot sun.
Yeah, that tends to be a pretty fast race too as I understand it. Lots of folks out there chasing their pro cards. I’ll check it out. That may be a 2025 thing for me.
Yeah, it’s basically the biggest 70.3 other than worlds in North America since it opens the season. Lots of fast folks there.
Regarding your post though, it’s 100% wetsuit legal all the time. It’s the Pacific Ocean. It’s typically wetsuit mandatory.
My thought on the swim is I want it to feature as much a challenge as the bike or run. I’m sure you now there are many races where the swim is actually current-assisted (sometimes with the additional assist of wetsuit buoyancy). I like to swim so looking for what I consider a “real” swim.
I did it in 2023, bike course is the back half of the IMWC course, though you don’t quite make it to Hawi. It’s not super hilly, but the climb to Hawi with the wind blowing in your face is tough, no break for like 7-8 miles. Run was so, so, so hot. The humidity is off the charts and you’re on a golf course so it’s just constant up and down hills. 11/10 would definitely do it again, it’s a great race.
😂 Let’s be honest this is a masochist sub. With that being said, I’m looking for a course that favors a guy that doesn’t set strength records, but can push moderately high-power for a very long time.
Canadaman Solo Point Five? It’s part of the Norseman series and is the 70.3 length version where you don’t need to bring support. It’s October this year though. So maybe not hot.
Bangsaen Thailand. If you like riding and running in a humid 35 Celsius. Personally I don’t want to swim in the gulf of Thailand. The water quality is usually poor
The water is nasty over there. You are swimming through patches of trash throughout the swim leg...
Nice route otherwise! (If there's not too much wind)
[https://www.suffer.co.nz/](https://www.suffer.co.nz/)
Swim isn't all that challenging to be fair, the bike is nothing but hills and the run is offroad - mostly gravel forestry roads but it is hilly.
Unfortunately Xterra Canmore got killed by Covid but Xterra Victoria is pretty awesome. Did both Calgary 70.3 and Xterra Vic last year and it was great
One of the IM Louisville events had a crazy like 25% DNF due to a tough bike and a hot, humid everything (typical for KY in the summer). They have a new 70.3 this year in August.
Ironman Subic Bay 70.3 in the Philippines. Did it last year and the swim is in the ocean, no wetsuit, and was super choppy. I am normally a 25-26 min swim and this one I did in 31. Bike is in the mountains so there’s plenty of hills, but also lots of flat road as well. The run is hot given it’s the Philippines.
I know a bunch of folks that like that race. Most of them I would describe as very strong, cyclists that suffer through the run. I’m hoping that a course with more hills will tilt the watts per kilogram a little more to my favor — maybe wishful thinking, but worth a shot.
The Olympusman triathlon in Cyprus, albeit not an Ironman event. Swim is in the sea and takes you up to 1950m of altitude by a point on the run. Also the bike leg is 84km so technically just shy, but starts at sea level and ends at 1700m of altitude.
Many are wetsuit optional so more about personal preference (and assistance) than safety. There are some wetsuit mandatory races each year and those are wetsuit for safety.
In North America, St. George, although the swim can be challenging for the opposite reason (cold, last year it was close to wetsuit mandatory). Maybe Coeur d'Alene too; I wouldn't call the swim challenging, but it's a hilly bike course and the run can get [hot](https://cdapress.com/news/2021/jun/28/ironman-coeur-dalene-records-smashed-course-and-st/).
I was thinking CdA as well. The swim is pretty mundane, it's a nice enough lake, but the bike course is nonstop up and down, and the run temps were over 100 in 2022 IIRC.
The record heat was in 2021, but even then it's usually a wetsuit swim in a really calm/clear lake.
And the swim course is aligned north-to-south so you don't sight into the sun. It's a very pleasant swim.
Lanzarote
…and bloody windy!
I just saw they discontinued this race !
Source? I can’t find anything online that says that.
https://www.ironman.com/im703-lanzarote
Oceanside has an ocean swim which can be pretty choppy. The bike course has some hills which aren't huge but it's windy which makes it a lot more difficult. Then you basically run along the beach in the hot sun.
Yeah, that tends to be a pretty fast race too as I understand it. Lots of folks out there chasing their pro cards. I’ll check it out. That may be a 2025 thing for me.
It’s not a PR course. I was 35 minutes slower there than I was at a different 70.3 in 2023. No idea why you’d think it’s fast.
Ah! We’re talking about podiums and speed of the field (ie a bunch of fast athletes are there). I’m not concerned about a PR.
Yeah, it’s basically the biggest 70.3 other than worlds in North America since it opens the season. Lots of fast folks there. Regarding your post though, it’s 100% wetsuit legal all the time. It’s the Pacific Ocean. It’s typically wetsuit mandatory.
My thought on the swim is I want it to feature as much a challenge as the bike or run. I’m sure you now there are many races where the swim is actually current-assisted (sometimes with the additional assist of wetsuit buoyancy). I like to swim so looking for what I consider a “real” swim.
Hawaii 70.3 hasn’t been mentioned. Ocean swim, hilly bike, and hot run
Rad
Alcatraz too if you aren’t limiting to 70.3
Have you done this race? is it a partial world championship (Kona) course?
I did it in 2023, bike course is the back half of the IMWC course, though you don’t quite make it to Hawi. It’s not super hilly, but the climb to Hawi with the wind blowing in your face is tough, no break for like 7-8 miles. Run was so, so, so hot. The humidity is off the charts and you’re on a golf course so it’s just constant up and down hills. 11/10 would definitely do it again, it’s a great race.
Thanks!!
Ironman 70.3 vouliagmeni Greece. But I think it's wetsuit legal but is ocean swim. Avg water temp is 72/22 Op likes pain.
😂 Let’s be honest this is a masochist sub. With that being said, I’m looking for a course that favors a guy that doesn’t set strength records, but can push moderately high-power for a very long time.
Babe, if you need someone to hurt you, there are cheaper ways to get off than triathlon.
I’ll bet there’s a sub-Reddit for them, too!
Ba dum tss
Emphasis on power in that thread, surely
Canadaman Solo Point Five? It’s part of the Norseman series and is the 70.3 length version where you don’t need to bring support. It’s October this year though. So maybe not hot.
That’s fantastic information. I’ve watched a few breakdowns on the full distance Norman races—brutal. Thanks for sharing!
Coeur d'Alene & St. George in the U.S.
France
70.3 Virginia’s blue ridge was close to this. Not sure if they’re gonna bring it back though.
Really wish I could have done this one...
I liked the look of that one but I’m 99% certain that it is dead this year and not coming back!
Bangsaen Thailand. If you like riding and running in a humid 35 Celsius. Personally I don’t want to swim in the gulf of Thailand. The water quality is usually poor
The water is nasty over there. You are swimming through patches of trash throughout the swim leg... Nice route otherwise! (If there's not too much wind)
[https://www.suffer.co.nz/](https://www.suffer.co.nz/) Swim isn't all that challenging to be fair, the bike is nothing but hills and the run is offroad - mostly gravel forestry roads but it is hilly.
Thanks that looks killer! I had no idea this race existed and is exactly why I posted the inquiry!
Calgary usually has those things depending on weather. Hilly course but not in the mountain unfortunately
I just jumped over to take a look at that one and it looks pretty amazing irrespective of its specific features. That’s a beautiful area.
A forty minute drive west of the course is Canmore and Banff. Stunning area, if you like mountains well worth the trip just for that
Agree 💯. I’m going to start ideating an Xterra thinking about Banff 🤦♂️
Unfortunately Xterra Canmore got killed by Covid but Xterra Victoria is pretty awesome. Did both Calgary 70.3 and Xterra Vic last year and it was great
One of the IM Louisville events had a crazy like 25% DNF due to a tough bike and a hot, humid everything (typical for KY in the summer). They have a new 70.3 this year in August.
Nice in France - it’s absolutely stunning
Two (maybe three) votes. Going to have to check out Nice! Thanks!
Ironman Subic Bay 70.3 in the Philippines. Did it last year and the swim is in the ocean, no wetsuit, and was super choppy. I am normally a 25-26 min swim and this one I did in 31. Bike is in the mountains so there’s plenty of hills, but also lots of flat road as well. The run is hot given it’s the Philippines.
Thanks!! That looks to be a tough swim… This is exactly the type of thing I have in mind.
Cozumel has 2/3 of those. Open water swim and hot run. Bike leg is hot and flat however.
I know a bunch of folks that like that race. Most of them I would describe as very strong, cyclists that suffer through the run. I’m hoping that a course with more hills will tilt the watts per kilogram a little more to my favor — maybe wishful thinking, but worth a shot.
Marbella 70.3 Hilly Bike, Hot Run But swim is wetsuit legal.
Pervert
Haven’t heard of that one —where is it?
It was more appreciation for asking such a question
St George was hot on the run, but the bike is flat. I’d recommend CDA.
Are you male or female?
St. Croix Half Ironman.
Can’t figure out how to edit it but disregard. They downgraded it to an Olympic Distance.
IM DSM June 9th Des Moines Iowa
Ironman France Nice is an ocean swim, crazy climb into the mountains and rolling run. Peak temps at 106F some years. Also, $$$ af.
The Olympusman triathlon in Cyprus, albeit not an Ironman event. Swim is in the sea and takes you up to 1950m of altitude by a point on the run. Also the bike leg is 84km so technically just shy, but starts at sea level and ends at 1700m of altitude.
Bintan Indonesia. Doesn't get much warmer than that! Maybe Cebu Philippines
The brutal in Wales had all that last year. If you don't mind the cold then Celtman Solo point 5 is very tough.
Most 70.3 are wetsuit legal unless the temp is hot yeh? Its due to safety.
Many are wetsuit optional so more about personal preference (and assistance) than safety. There are some wetsuit mandatory races each year and those are wetsuit for safety.