Ironcat L'Ampolla (medium distance)
L'Ampolla, Spain · October · Catalan Triathlon Federation
Not a standard 70.3. This course is 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 20 km (12.4 mi) run, not the usual 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run. 2026 listing: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) / 90 km (56 mi) / 20 km (12.4 mi); Finishers lists a 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run, so the run is 20-21.1 km (12.4-13.1 mi).
Why people love it
- Flat, fast delta bike: a 30 km (18.6 mi) loop ridden three times
- Sheltered natural-harbour swim from the Club Nàutic
- Organised by the Catalan federation; the 2024 half debut sold out at about 300
- Aid every 15 km (9.3 mi) on the bike and 3.5 km (2.2 mi) on the run
Watch out for
- Delta wind can be strong on an exposed flat course
- Run is 20 to 21.1 km (12.4 to 13.1 mi) depending on the source
- Run mixes asphalt and sand paths
- Half category only started in 2024; no half race reports found
- Reus airport is 55 km (34 mi) away and Barcelona 170 km (106 mi)
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.6
The 2024 half debut sold out with about 300 entrants, but only organiser and local press were found, with no athlete reviews. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.9
Run by the Catalan federation and town council for 19 editions, with live tracking, a 6 h 30 min cutoff and published aid spacing. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.9
Flat looped course with a generous cutoff and short options at the same event; wind is the main hazard. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.2
Flat 30 km (18.6 mi) bike loop, three laps; wind can slow it and the 2026 run is listed at 20 km (12.4 mi). · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalCoin flip3.0
October water in the bay is about 18 to 21 °C (64 to 70 °F); wetsuit rules were not documented. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.5
Shallow bay in October, roughly 18 to 21 °C (64 to 70 °F); no measured temperature found. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.9
Sheltered natural harbour at Fangar, swum as a rectangle twice; windy days may add chop. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.2
Simple rectangular course repeated twice from the Club Nàutic. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.2
Shallow bay near the Ebro Delta, probably murky; clarity is not documented. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.7
Paved delta roads; no surface reports found. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.3
Closures are not documented; the loop repeats on local roads. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant3.3
Rice fields and wetlands of the Ebro Delta Natural Park; flat and open. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.6
The organiser warns that the Catalan wind can be a factor on an exposed flat course. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast4.3
Flat, straight 30 km (18.6 mi) loop through the Ebro Delta, ridden three times. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessPancake flat4.8
Organiser describes a fast, flat loop at delta level, well under 300 m (1,000 ft) of climbing over 90 km (56 mi). · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple4.4
Flat, straight loop with no technical sections. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.0
Seafront run loops with spectators and volunteers per the organiser, but the field is only about 300. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.0
Organiser lists aid every 3.5 km (2.2 mi) on the run and every 15 km (9.3 mi) on the bike. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.5
L'Ampolla seafront and harbour. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.4
Mixed asphalt and sand paths slow the pace; October temperatures are mild. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.6
Flat seafront loops of 7 km (4.3 mi). · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.2
Early to mid October highs are typically 20 to 25 °C (68 to 77 °F). · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.3
Delta wind and autumn Mediterranean storms are possible; no cancellation found. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyPleasant3.4
Natural harbour and Ebro Delta Natural Park around a low-key coastal village. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.8
The 30 km (18.6 mi) bike loop passes the village repeatedly and the run loops are 7 km (4.3 mi). · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.6
Small coastal village in the October low season; no availability data. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.9
Autumn low-season pricing is likely, but no price data was found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.1
Swim starts at the Club Nàutic and the run is on the seafront in the village. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Reus airport is about 55 km (34 mi) away and Barcelona about 170 km (106 mi); a car is needed. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.2
Single venue at the Club Nàutic with one transition. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine3.4
Small fishing village with seafood restaurants. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- L'Ampolla, Catalonia (Tarragona), Spain
- Typical month
- October
- Organiser
- Catalan Triathlon Federation
- Field size
- About 300 athletes
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 20 km (12.4 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Finish 6:30
- Swim venue
- Fangar natural harbour, Club Nàutic L'Ampolla (sea)
- Water temperature
- 18–21 °C (64–70 °F)
- Swim start
- mass
- Swim laps
- 2
- Bike laps
- 3
- Air temperature
- 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Altitude
- 3 m (10 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Reus (REU) / Barcelona (BCN), 55 km (34 mi) away
- Where to stay
- L'Ampolla, L'Ametlla de Mar
- Booking
- Low-season village; no data.
What racers and reviewers say
- Finishers: Ironcat course pageRaced 2027 · aggregator · Positive
Organiser-validated details: Triathlon L is 1.9 / 90 / 21.1 km (13.1 mi) with a 6 h 30 min cutoff; swim is a rectangular course twice in the Fangar harbour; bike is a flat straight 30 km (18.6 mi) loop ridden three times with a wind warning; run uses 7 km (4.3 mi) loops of asphalt and sand.
- Running.life: IroncatRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Lists the 10 October 2026 edition with medium distance 1.9 km (1.2 mi) / 90 km (55.9 mi) / 20 km (12.4 mi), long 3.8 / 150 / 30 and short 1.0 / 30 / 10 along the Ebro Delta Natural Park.
- Ebre Digital: 19th Ironcat (2024)Raced 2024 · article · Positive
Local coverage of the 19th edition: sold out with about 300 participants, a new half category, swim at Platja de l'Arquitecte from 8:00, delta bike and seafront run, live tracking via Wefeel Crono.
- Ebre Digital: 18th Ironcat (2023)Raced 2023 · article · Positive
Previews the 2023 long-distance edition with nearly 100 registered athletes, starting 7:00 at the Club Nàutic, billed as the oldest of its distance on the Iberian peninsula.
- Ebre Digital: 16th Ironcat (2021)Raced 2021 · article · Mixed
Covers the Covid-delayed 2021 edition, a Triathlon Nations Cup race, with 83 registered athletes.
Show 1 more
- Diari de Tarragona: winners reportRaced 2023 · article · Positive
Race report on the 2023 long distance won by Albert Jiménez in 8:25:06 and Ana López de San Román in 11:23:49; from search summary, not read directly.
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Sources
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