IRONMAN 70.3 Coeur d'Alene

Coeur d'Alene, United States · June · IRONMAN 70.3

IRONMAN 70.3 Coeur d'Alene: athlete finishing the ironman coeur d'alene 2012 finish chute in downtown coeur d'alene (full-distance race, same city and finish area as the 70.3)Raniel Diaz, CC BY 2.0
Athlete finishing the Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2012 finish chute in downtown Coeur d'Alene (full-distance race, same city and finish area as the 70.3). Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Why people love it

  • Lakeside venue with a single City Park transition
  • Long steady highway climbs on smooth pavement with big views
  • Residents turn out with sprinklers and cheers
  • Reviewers rank it among their favourite 70.3s

Watch out for

  • Cold 17 to 20 °C (63 to 68 °F) lake; 2024 swim cut to 500 m (550 yd)
  • About 1,036 m (3,400 ft) of climbing, plus gusty winds on the highway
  • Hotels sell out quickly
  • Hot, unshaded run in sunny years, up to 33 °C (91 °F)

Race

4.6Excellent

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 satisfactionLoved4.4

    Reviewers rank it among their favourites, praising the lakeside venue and a course that is a real test without being punishing. · Medium confidence

  • OrganizationWell run4.3

    Described as very well run, with a single transition area; the swim was safely shortened in 2024 when wind built. · Medium confidence

  • First timer friendlyDoable2.7

    Cold lake, about 1,036 m (3,400 ft) of climbing and wind make it demanding for a first 70.3. · Medium confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • PR potentialAverage2.6

    Hilly with wind in many years; the 2019 winner's 3:47:53 is good but this is not a fast course. · Medium confidence

  • Course easeTough2.5

    Hilly, windy bike with a cold swim; reviewers rate difficulty around 3.5 of 5. · Medium confidence

Swim

3.5Very good

Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.7

    Lake water of 17 to 20 °C (63 to 68 °F) in June means wetsuits are the norm. · Medium confidence

  • Water temperatureAcceptable3.1

    Cold but clean at 17 to 20 °C (63 to 68 °F), on the cool side of comfortable. · Medium confidence

  • Calm waterSome chop2.8

    Wind and waves cut the 2024 swim to 500 m (550 yd), and the lake was choppy before the 2025 race. · Medium confidence

  • Swim easeEasy3.5

    Rolling start and a simple counter-clockwise loop, with wind the main complication. · Medium confidence

  • Swim experienceGreat4.0

    Clean, clear lake and a pleasant setting, though cold. · Medium confidence

Bike

4.1Very good

Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.

  • Road surfaceGood4.0

    Smooth highway pavement with swept shoulders, and some fresh asphalt. · Medium confidence

  • Road closuresMostly closed4.0

    Riders describe a divided highway well separated from traffic. · Low confidence

  • Bike sceneryBeautiful4.4

    Sweeping North Idaho lake and mountain views. · Medium confidence

  • WindSome wind2.7

    Often calm per locals, but headwinds and gusts have cost riders 20 minutes or more. · Medium confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Bike speedAverage2.6

    Hilly with strong headwinds on the way out in some years; 2019 pro splits were 2:08:21 and 2:21:55. · Medium confidence

  • Bike flatnessHilly2.3

    About 1,036 m (3,400 ft) over 90 km (56 mi) from one rider's log, with long steady 4 to 6% climbs. · Medium confidence

  • Bike simplicityMostly simple3.8

    Long, straight highway descents; gusts and a single-file no-pass bridge zone are the main hazards. · Medium confidence

Run

4.2Very good

Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Crowd supportStrong4.0

    Residents turn out with sprinklers and cheers along the two-loop run. · Medium confidence

  • Aid stationsGood4.2

    Reports call it well run; no specific aid complaints, but little detail. · Low confidence

  • Run sceneryBeautiful4.4

    Lakefront and historic neighbourhoods across two loops. · Medium confidence

  • Run conditionsModerate3.0

    Hot with little shade in sunny years, though one reviewer called it fairly easy; many turns. · Medium confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Run flatnessRolling3.2

    No reliable elevation figure; reviewers mention a real climb and many turns. · Low confidence

Conditions

4.0Very good

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Air temperaturePleasant3.7

    June mornings near 13 °C (55 °F), warming to 20 to 33 °C (68 to 92 °F) by afternoon. · Medium confidence

  • Weather reliabilityVariable3.2

    Wind can reshape the swim, and June highs have ranged from 18 to 33 °C (64 to 92 °F). · Medium confidence

  • Venue beautyStunning4.7

    Lake, mountains and a downtown park finish. · Medium confidence

  • Spectator friendlyEasy4.2

    A single transition at City Park, several bike passes and two run loops. · Medium confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Low altitudeModerate3.2

    About 656 m (2,152 ft), close to the middle of the scale. · High confidence

Stay and travel

3.5Good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.

  • Hotel availabilitySells out early2.2

    Hotels sell out quickly, and a Spokane event can compete for rooms. · Medium confidence

  • Hotel valueNormal2.8

    Race-week demand is high; no price data found. · Low confidence

  • WalkabilityWalkable4.2

    Rentals and B&Bs near the park are walkable; others sit about 3 km (2 mi) away. · Medium confidence

  • Travel easeOne connection3.1

    Spokane (GEG) is about 50 km (31 mi) away; a small regional airport. · Low confidence

  • LogisticsSimple4.4

    One transition area at City Park keeps race day simple. · Medium confidence

  • Town and foodGood4.2

    Lively lakeside downtown with breweries and trails. · Medium confidence

Key facts

Location
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
Typical month
June
Latest or next date
27 June 2027
Organiser
IRONMAN 70.3
Distances
1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
Swim venue
Lake Coeur d'Alene, City Park (lake)
Water temperature
17–20 °C (63–68 °F)
Wetsuit
Legal
Swim start
rolling
Swim laps
1
Bike climbing
1,036 m (3,400 ft)
Bike laps
2
Key climbs
US 95 climbs near Mica Grade, mostly 4-6% grade; About 1.9 mi (3 km) climb at about 6%
Run laps
2
Run shade
Hot with little shade (2019 racer)
Air temperature
13–30 °C (55–86 °F)
Humidity
Dry
Altitude
656 m (2,150 ft)
Nearest airport
Spokane International (GEG), 50 km (31 mi) away
Where to stay
Downtown Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls
Booking
Hotels sell out quickly; Spokane's Hoopfest can clash in some years. Alternatives: Post Falls (about 10 min away) and Spokane (about 30 min).

Official race website (ironman.com)

What racers and reviewers say

  • Team Run Run (Angela S.)Raced 2019 · blog · Positive

    Describes cold but clean lake water, a very hilly bike that demands strong climbing, a hot and shaded-free but fairly easy run, and a very well-run event. Warns hotels sell out and parking can be hard.

    “The bike is very hilly!”

    Angela S.
  • Freeplay Magazine: Chasing GoalsRaced 2017 · article · Positive

    First-person account: rolling start, lake about 64 F (18 C), climbs longer than usual but momentum carried her between them on smooth roads, and the second run loop slowed her in rising heat. Ranked in her top three of 13 70.3s; stayed at a welcoming B&B and the town cheered with sprinklers.

    “it was nice to have swim buddies!”

    Freeplay writer
  • Cyclizing race reportRaced 2024 · blog · Positive

    Wind and waves cut the swim to 500 m (550 yd) for safety; a headwind made the first half of the bike hard and a tailwind helped the return; the author felt strong on the run.

    “It was one of those rare moments in racing where everything just clicks.”

    Cyclizing author
  • RaceRaves (2019 reviewer)Raced 2019 · aggregator · Positive

    Called it a new favorite, praising the venue and course as just enough challenge to support training.

    “Just enough challenge to support the training.”

    Anonymous
  • RaceRaves (2024 reviewer)Raced 2024 · aggregator · Mixed

    Strong morning wind shortened the swim to 500 m (550 yd); headwinds on the bike lasted to about mile 36 (58 km (36 mi)) and the many turns on the run made miles feel longer.

Show 3 more
  • Slowtwitch: CdA Bike Course InformationRaced 2017 · forum · Positive

    Riders say climbs are long and steady at 4-6%, descents are long and straight, roads are swept and well separated from traffic, and wind is the big factor, with headwind out and tailwind back. One 70.3 rider logged about 3,400 ft (1,036 m (3,400 ft)) of gain.

    “nothing too steep”

    Slowtwitch posters
  • Slowtwitch: Ironman CdA course changesRaced 2023 · forum · Mixed

    Posters say the two-loop bike course is unchanged since 2013 and the run is a three-loop (full) layout; winds are usually calm but headwinds appear south of town when they pick up. Full-course heat reached 33 C (91 F) in 2017.

  • Slowtwitch: Ironman Coeur d'Alene lodgingRaced 2016 · forum · Mixed

    Locals recommend staying downtown for atmosphere, with VRBO houses and B&Bs near the course; Spokane (about 30 min) and Post Falls (about 10 min) are fallbacks, and Spokane's Hoopfest can crowd hotels the same weekend.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.

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