IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne
St Kilda (Melbourne), Australia · November · IRONMAN
Why people love it
- Flat, fast two-lap bike along Beach Road and a flat waterfront run
- Packed Catani Gardens finish with big crowds on the run
- Large hotel stock and a major airport about 25 km (16 mi) away
- St Kilda dining and nightlife on the doorstep
Watch out for
- Bay swim is exposed; in 2023 it was cut to 900 m (0.56 mi) for wind and chop
- Beach Road is often windy, which matters on a flat two-lap bike
- After heavy rain in 2022 the water was murky and smelly
- Spring weather swings from 14 to 30 °C (57 to 86 °F) on race day
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 satisfactionLoved3.9
Racers in 2022 called it fast and well run with big crowds; murky water and windy years temper it, and first-person reports are few. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.0
A 2022 racer praised the swim go/no-go call, start groups and drafting marshals; transitions were cramped and the 2023 swim was shortened. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.2
Flat bike and run, a 18 °C (64 °F) bay swim and easy city access; wind and chop can complicate the swim. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.3
Flat 90 km (56 mi) out-and-back and flat run; one racer averaged 40 km (24.9 mi)/h (25 mph) in calm 2022 conditions. · Medium confidence
- Course easeNaN
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.2
Average water is 18 °C (64 °F) and wetsuits are listed as likely optional, so legal in almost any year. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.7
Bay water of about 16 to 19 °C (61 to 66 °F) is cool but fine in a wetsuit. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterSome chop2.9
Exposed bay: the 2023 swim was cut to 900 m (0.56 mi) for wind and chop, while 2022 was manageable. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.6
Single loop with a rolling start; a 2022 racer noted a long run from the water to T1. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.0
After heavy rain the 2022 water was murky and smelly, though the city beach setting is pleasant. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.8
Urban bayside roads with no surface complaints, though few detailed reports exist. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.6
Marshals spaced riders actively; how fully roads are closed is not documented. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.5
Bayside Beach Road with the city skyline; pleasant rather than special. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.6
Beach Road is usually windy per a 2022 racer; strong wind at the 2023 start, calm in 2022. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast4.4
Flat two-lap course; one racer averaged about 40 km (24.9 mi)/h (25 mph) in calm 2022 weather. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessPancake flat4.6
Billed as flat with no gain published; a couple of small bumps. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple4.0
Out-and-back with U-turns on two laps and no technical descents. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong4.3
Thousands lined the course in 2022 and the finish was packed; the 2023 winner credited the crowd. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.8
Standard aid; no complaints found. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.8
Bay views and a Catani Gardens finish in a city setting. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.8
Flat, but a 2022 racer slowed in about 27 °C (81 °F) heat and walked the aid stations. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.8
Flat two-lap out-and-back along the waterfront. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.5
Race-day highs ranged from 14 to 30 °C (57 to 86 °F) over five years, from cool to hot. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.8
The 2023 swim was shortened by wind and the 2022 swim was nearly called off over water quality. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.9
Seaside St Kilda with the city skyline and a Catani Gardens finish. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.2
Out-and-back laps and a central finish park make repeat viewing easy. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level, about 5 m (16 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityPlentiful4.5
Large city stock of hotels and apartments around St Kilda. · Medium confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
Major-city pricing around race week; no price reports found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.0
Race is centred on the St Kilda foreshore and Catani Gardens, with many hotels in walking range. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeVery easy4.6
Melbourne Tullamarine is about 25 km (16 mi) away and is a major international hub. · High confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.0
Single base on the St Kilda foreshore, though T1 involves a long run from the water. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGreat4.6
St Kilda is a well-known dining and nightlife area. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- St Kilda (Melbourne), Victoria, Australia
- Typical month
- November
- Latest or next date
- 8 November 2026
- Organiser
- IRONMAN
- Field size
- About 2,000 athletes
- Distances
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- St Kilda Beach / Sea Baths, Port Phillip Bay (ocean)
- Water temperature
- 16–19 °C (61–66 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional
- Swim start
- rolling
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 2
- Run laps
- 2
- Run shade
- Exposed waterfront; one racer hit about 27 C (81 F) in 2022
- Air temperature
- 11–23 °C (52–73 °F)
- Altitude
- 5 m (16 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL), 25 km (16 mi) away
- Where to stay
- St Kilda, Albert Park
- Booking
- St Kilda has abundant hotels and apartments; race week competes with other Melbourne events (inference).
What racers and reviewers say
- TriZoneRaced 2022 · blog · Positive
Personal report from the 2022 race. Heavy rain had closed beaches, but IRONMAN tested and approved the water; it was still murky and smelly. Calm conditions made the two-lap bike quick (about 40 km/h (24.9 mph) / 25 mph), marshals policed drafting, and spectators lined the two-lap run despite heat around 27 C (81 F).
- TriZoneRaced 2022 · article · Positive
Debut-edition coverage: more than 2,000 athletes, ideal weather, a flat fast course along Beach Road with many personal bests, and a packed finish at Catani Gardens. Athletes cited the crowds and bib-name cheering as highlights.
- Triathlon AustraliaRaced 2023 · article · Mixed
The 2023 race faced strong wind at St Kilda and cold, choppy water, so the swim was shortened to 900 m (0.56 mi) for safety. About 1,700 athletes raced; winners credited crowd support.
- SlowtwitchRaced 2022 · article · Positive
Race report from 13 Nov 2022. The winner described the roads as flat and said it was a hard course to break away on, with luck of no wind. Describes a flat, fast, calm day.
- RaceRavesaggregator · Mixed
Course guide: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) rolling-start swim at the St Kilda Sea Baths, two-lap flat 90 km (56 mi) bike, two flat run loops on the waterfront. Lists average water 18 C (64 F) and likely wetsuit-optional. No athlete ratings posted yet.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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