Best 70.3 races in the United States

1. IRONMAN 70.3 Coeur d'Alene

Coeur d'Alene, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 27 Jun 2027

Racers loveLakeside venue with a single City Park transition

Watch outCold 17 to 20 °C (63 to 68 °F) lake; 2024 swim cut to 500 m (550 yd)

“The bike is very hilly!” Team Run Run (Angela S.)

2. IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley

State College, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 23 May 2027

Racers loveScenic rural point-to-point bike with Amish roadside crowds and smooth roads

Watch outHilly bike: about 1,055 m (3,462 ft) of climbing, including a long climb near mile 40 (64 km (39.8 mi))

“Freaking awesome!” Race Coverage (David Leard)

3. IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan

Frankfort, United States · IRONMAN · Last race 20 Sep 2026

Racers loveProtected Betsie Bay swim with the start beside transition

Watch outSeptember weather swings from 9 °C (48 °F) starts to 26 °C (78 °F) highs, with wind and rain

4. IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga

Chattanooga, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 16 May 2027

Racers loveQuick downriver swim, usually wetsuit legal at about 22 °C (72 °F)

Watch outHeat index near 38 °C (100 °F) has hit race day

“Chatty knows how to put on a race.” Anonymous, RaceRaves (first-timer 2023)

5. IRONMAN 70.3 Musselman

Geneva, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 11 Jul 2027

Racers love2024 IRONMAN Athlete's Choice winner for overall satisfaction

Watch outSeneca Lake can turn rough and warm; the 2025 swim reached about 26 °C (79 °F) with about 22% DNF

“an excellent course and a well-run event” Tyler Rivenbark, Earth Trekkers

6. IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 12 Sep 2027

Racers loveSwim around the historic wharf from Main Beach

Watch outCold 14 to 17 °C (58 to 63 °F) ocean; a thermal wetsuit is advised

7. Patriot Half

East Freetown (Cathedral Camp, Long Pond), United States · Last race 13 Jun 2026

Racers loveCalm Long Pond swim, with wetsuits allowed every year and time-trial starts

Watch outThe bike is 54 mi (87 km (54.1 mi)), about 3 mi (4.8 km (3 mi)) short of a standard half

“Great event!” RaceRaves Patriot Half (rcast)

8. Wildflower Triathlon (Long Course)

Bradley (Lake San Antonio, South Shore), United States · Last race 2 May 2026

Racers loveThree-day festival with on-site camping, music and food trucks, known as the Woodstock of triathlon

Watch outAbout 1,130 m (3,700 ft) of bike climbing, including the 8 km (5 mi) Nasty Grade climb

“unlike any other race” RaceRaves reviewers (20 shown), RaceRaves Wildflower page

9. IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities

Richland, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 19 Sep 2027

Racers loveDownriver Columbia swim at about 21 °C (70 °F) with a current boost

Watch outOver 300 m (1,000 ft) of climbing in the first 24 km (15 mi)

“a 'lite version' of Coeur d'Alene” Slowtwitch thread: Anybody done the Tri Cities…

10. IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina

Wilmington, United States · IRONMAN · Last race 17 Oct 2026

Racers loveCurrent-assisted 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim in a tidal channel, wetsuit legal

Watch outPoint-to-point: shuttles, separate transitions and very early mornings

“Fast swim with current.” daniel / reviewers, RaceRaves

11. IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon

Salem, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 18 Jul 2027

Racers loveFast downriver swim: athletes report 23 minutes against a usual 32-34

Watch outFirst 200 m (656 ft) of the swim are shallow, with a steep bank and sun glare later

“downright easy” clayhathorn, Slowtwitch forum

12. SavageMan 70.0

Deep Creek Lake (Garrett County, Swanton), United States · Last race 19 Sep 2021

Racers loveWesternport Wall, 25 percent average and 31 percent maximum, with a name-in-a-brick reward

Watch outCurrent status unverified: last confirmed edition was 2021, and no 2022 to 2026 coverage or results were found

“the most difficult but most beautiful” Slowtwitch forum: SavageMan Course Preview…

13. IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside

Oceanside, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 3 Apr 2027

Racers loveBeachfront finish by the pier with excellent crowd support

Watch outCold water of 13-17 °C (56-63 °F) and mornings near 8 °C (46 °F)

“Plan for sub-60°F water.” Tyler (Earth Trekkers), Earth Trekkers

14. Grand Rapids Triathlon (Half)

Ada, United States · Next race 13 Jun 2027

Racers loveCalm, lake-like Thornapple River swim with minimal current; past water was 20 to 24 °C (68 to 76 °F)

Watch outOpen roads: traffic and some rough sections at the start and end of the bike

“top-notch for a relatively small race” dmagic17, Slowtwitch: First 70.3-Distance Completed/Grand…

15. IRONMAN 70.3 Florida

Haines City, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 13 Dec 2026

Racers loveSold-out, well-run race at a family-friendly park with about 1,800 to 2,000 athletes

Watch outCrowded M-shaped swim in shallow weedy water

“Overall a great first timers race” RaceRaves (Reebs, first-timer 2023)

16. IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford - Illinois

Rockford, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 13 Jun 2027

Racers loveDownriver swim: the 2026 winner covered 1.9 km (1.2 mi) in 19:34

Watch outHeat and humidity risk: 2025 heat index near 40 °C (105 °F)

“"made it brutal" (Cody Williams, on the wind)” Kevin Haas, Rock River Current

17. Kinetic Triathlon Festival Long Course

Spotsylvania, United States · Next race 8 May 2027

Racers loveEarly-May season opener inside Lake Anna State Park, with hillside spectator seating

Watch outOrganizer calls the bike not easy: 610 m (2,000 ft) of climbing over 92 km (57 mi)

“not huge hills” Only Half a Disaster (jeanneius.com)

18. Waterman's Triathlon Festival (Long Course Half)

Rock Hall, United States · Next race 2 Oct 2027

Racers loveCalm swim inside Rock Hall Harbor's breakwater, with a standable 0.6 to 0.9 m (2 to 3 ft) center

Watch outBike is open to traffic with police presence

19. IRONMAN 70.3 Wisconsin

Madison, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 11 Sep 2027

Racers loveFinish in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol

Watch outRough, grooved and potholed bike roads with technical turns

20. IRONMAN 70.3 Muncie

Muncie, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 10 Jul 2027

Racers loveLong-running race with a top satisfaction score in IRONMAN's 2022 survey

Watch outHot and humid July; one year's race was shortened for extreme heat

“Very great course for a PR” RaceRaves (ashleekucinski)

21. IRONMAN 70.3 Ruidoso New Mexico

Ruidoso, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 11 Jul 2027

Racers loveClear 22 °C (72 °F) lake swim with pairs starting every 5 seconds

Watch outAltitude of about 2,100 m (6,900 ft): acclimatise or expect to slow

“went off without a hitch” Bryancd (Bryan), Slowtwitch Forum

22. IRONMAN 70.3 Maine

Augusta, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 25 Jul 2027

Racers loveFast downriver Kennebec swim that athletes rank among North America's best

Watch outHilly, technical bike with about 1,050 m (3,450 ft) of climbing over 90 km (56 mi)

“"Not a race for a PR."” Fubar44 and repliers, Slowtwitch forum

23. Big George Half (Lake George Triathlon Festival)

Lake George, United States · Next race 4 Sep 2027

Racers loveBeach swim in Lake George with an Adirondack mountain backdrop, 1.9 km (1.2 mi)

Watch outBike has an early climb then rollers; one rider called it challenging, and elevation gain is not published

“The vibe was awesome” rdros, Slowtwitch: Lake George 70.3 aka Big George

24. IRONMAN 70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States · IRONMAN · Next race 18 Jul 2027

Racers loveFerry jump start into Sandusky Bay is unique on the Ironman calendar

Watch outFew independent athlete reports, so scores rest on thin evidence

“It pushed you physically, but oddly enough it was still enjoyable.” Michael Wright, NEOMED The Pulse