IRONMAN 70.3 Alghero
Alghero, Italy · May · IRONMAN
Why people love it
- Sheltered gulf swim starting 100 m (330 ft) from transition
- Bike through Porto Conte Natural Park to Capo Caccia
- Three flat run loops through the old town and bastions
- Big crowds: about 15,000 visitors for the 2026 debut
Watch out for
- Only one edition, with no independent athlete reports yet
- 850 m (2,789 ft) of bike climbing with some technical sections
- Heat was reported on the run on 7 June 2026
- Hotels were tight in race week; Sardinia travel needs planning
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.
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.7
Only one edition so far. Local reports and a participant praise the reception and scenery, but no independent athlete write-ups exist yet. · Low confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.4
Organisers called the debut a first year with room to improve. About 2,900 starters ran without reported failures. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.6
Sheltered gulf swim and a flat run suit beginners. The 850 m (2,789 ft) bike and early-summer heat need preparation. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage3.4
Rolling 850 m (2,789 ft) bike and a flat run. The men's winner took 3:38:29 in the debut. · Low confidence
- Course easeTough3.1
Rolling bike, flat run, and some early-summer heat. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually3.9
Water is likely 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) in late May and June, which usually allows wetsuits. The 2026 ruling was not found. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.6
Around 18 °C (64 °F) in May, probably a little warmer for a June race. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.9
The tourism board calls the gulf sheltered and calm. No athlete has reported race-day conditions. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.9
Sandy beach start, one loop, 100 m (330 ft) from transition. No athlete comments on sighting or crowding. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.9
Clear Mediterranean gulf with an old-town backdrop, based on press descriptions rather than athlete reports. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.2
No information on road surface was found. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.8
The city council published road-closure notices and diversion routes around the race. · Medium confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.4
The route follows the coast and passes through Porto Conte Natural Park to Capo Caccia. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.0
Coastal Sardinia, and wind on race day is not documented. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage3.2
About 850 m (2,789 ft) of climbing over 90 km (56 mi). One participant mentioned demanding technical sections. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessRolling3.1
850 m (2,789 ft) official, 772 m (2,533 ft) on Finishers.com. Middle of the range for a 90 km (56 mi) bike. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.2
A participant described demanding technical sections on a single loop. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong4.0
One local participant said he had never seen such a reception. About 15,000 visitors came to town. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
No feedback on aid stations was found. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.3
The loops pass the harbour, bastions, old town and seafront wall. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.1
Flat, but a Sardinian news report described scorching heat on the run on 7 June. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat4.3
Three flat loops with only 109 m (358 ft) of climbing. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.2
Late-May highs run 24-29 °C (75-84 °F), and a June race adds warmth. Run heat was reported. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.8
Settled Mediterranean early summer, but only one race day has been seen. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.5
Walled old town on the sea, with the Capo Caccia headland nearby. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.3
Three run loops through the old town and port, with strong crowds reported in 2026. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level, about 10 m (33 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early2.8
The race sold out, and race week resembled mid-August peak with tight town stock. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.0
Summer-season pricing is likely, but no price data was found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.2
The swim starts 100 m (330 ft) from transition, and the run goes through the old town to a port finish. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.4
Alghero-Fertilia (AHO) is on site, but most visitors fly with a connection or on a low-cost carrier. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.8
Beach swim next to transition in a compact town. A single transition seems likely but is unconfirmed. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.4
Catalan-influenced old town with seafood and waterfront dining. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Alghero, Sardinia, Italy
- Typical month
- May
- Latest or next date
- 30 May 2027
- Organiser
- IRONMAN
- Field size
- About 2,900 athletes
- First held
- 2026
- Distances
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lido San Giovanni beach, Gulf of Alghero (ocean)
- Water temperature
- 18–20 °C (64–68 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 850 m (2,790 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Run climbing
- 109 m (360 ft)
- Run laps
- 3
- Air temperature
- 16–28 °C (61–82 °F)
- Altitude
- 10 m (33 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Alghero-Fertilia (AHO)
- Where to stay
- Old town / seafront
- Booking
- Race sold out; about 15,000 visitors came to town in 2026, with councillors comparing it to mid-August season.
What racers and reviewers say
- L'Unione SardaRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Debut-edition coverage: nearly 2,900 athletes from 91 countries, about 15,000 visitors, winner Driesen in 3:38:29. A local athlete praised the roadside reception and another liked scenery paired with technical sections. Officials said it was year zero with room to improve.
- Sardegna TurismoRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Official tourism listing for 7 June 2026: sheltered, calm swim from Lido San Giovanni 100 m (330 ft) from transition, 90 km (56 mi) bike with 850 m (2,789 ft) gain through Porto Conte Natural Park, three-loop seafront run through the bastions. Sold out with about 3,000 athletes.
- Finishers.comRaced 2027 · aggregator · Mixed
Course data: 772 m (2,533 ft) bike gain, 109 m (358 ft) run gain, 881 m (2,890 ft) total. No participant reviews posted yet.
- RaceRavesRaced 2027 · aggregator · Mixed
Race page: rolling bike, flat run, 18 C (64 F) average water and May highs of 24-29 C (75-84 F). No athlete ratings.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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