IRONMAN 70.3 San Juan
San Juan, Argentina · March/April · IRONMAN
Why people love it
- Mountain-ringed reservoir swim at about 20 °C (68 °F)
- Flat run: 157 m (515 ft) of gain over a city loop
- Whole circuit under police control
- Fast winning times, 3:51:01 in 2026
Watch out for
- Wind (Zonda) and intense sun in the arid climate
- Point-to-point: T1 at the dam, T2 in town
- 562 m (1,844 ft) of bike climbing
- No first-hand athlete reviews yet, so evidence is thin
- The date moves between late March and April
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 satisfactionLoved3.5
No athlete reviews found. Local press praised the setting and crowd support, and the results show a quality field. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.9
Command centre, about 400 police in the morning and 300 in the afternoon, and the whole circuit controlled. No complaints found. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.3
Wetsuit-friendly reservoir and a flat run help. Point-to-point logistics, sun and wind add challenge. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.8
Winner took 3:51:01 in 2026 and the runner-up rode a 2:04 bike split. Fast, but wind and heat are risks. · Low confidence
- Course easeTough3.2
Heat, wind and 562 m (1,844 ft) of climbing on a point-to-point course. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually3.9
Average water of about 20 °C (68 °F) and advice to bring a wetsuit suggest usually legal. Not confirmed. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable4.2
About 20 °C (68 °F) is within the ideal range, from a single average. · Low confidence
- Calm waterSome chop3.4
Dam reservoir ringed by mountains in a windy region. No race-day swell reports. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.0
Single 1.9 km (1.2 mi) buoyed loop with lifeguards and boats. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.6
Scenic arid-mountain reservoir, but no first-hand reports or start-format detail. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.4
No surface reports. Provincial and national routes. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.3
Restrictions covered the whole circuit, with police and drones. · Medium confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.0
Andean peaks, Ullum reservoir and arid hills. No athlete comments. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.6
The registration site calls the climate windy and another guide cites the Zonda wind. No race-day data. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.8
Descents past the dam on a point-to-point course. The winner credited his bike, though wind is a risk. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessRolling3.4
562 m (1,844 ft) over 90 km (56 mi), moderately rolling by the halved anchors. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple3.5
Descent past Ullum dam and city entry. No technical complaints found. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.7
Local press credits residents with cheering from every point of the run. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.5
No aid detail found. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.4
City loop past the stadium and Plaza España. Urban rather than scenic. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.0
Intense sun and heat in 2026. Flat city streets, but no shade information. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat4.4
157 m (515 ft) over 21.1 km (13.1 mi), billed as flat. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.3
April highs of 13 to 27 °C (55 to 81 °F), but 2026 was reported as hot and sunny. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.5
Arid climate is predictable, but April highs swing widely between years. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.8
Dam, desert mountains and Andean views. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.3
Start at the dam is far from the city. Finish and run are in the centre. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeModerate3.2
City sits about 650 m (2,130 ft). Reservoir altitude unknown. · Low confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.7
No hotel data. A provincial capital should have ample lodging. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.5
No price data found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.0
Start at the dam and finish in the city centre, likely with bus transfers. · Low confidence
- Travel easeAwkward2.2
Long haul to western Argentina through a regional airport. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity2.6
Point-to-point: T1 at the dam, T2 at Plaza del Bicentenario. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.6
Provincial capital with local food. No visitor reports. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- San Juan, San Juan Province, Argentina
- Typical month
- March/April
- Latest or next date
- 11 April 2027
- Organiser
- IRONMAN
- Field size
- About 1,200 athletes
- Distances
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Dique Punta Negra (reservoir ringed by arid mountains) (reservoir)
- Water temperature
- 20 °C (68 °F)
- Swim start
- rolling/wave (unconfirmed)
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 562 m (1,840 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Run climbing
- 157 m (515 ft)
- Air temperature
- 10–27 °C (50–81 °F)
- Humidity
- low (arid)
- Altitude
- 650 m (2,130 ft)
- Nearest airport
- San Juan Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (UAQ)
- Where to stay
- Central San Juan near Plaza del Bicentenario
What racers and reviewers say
- Diario de CuyoRaced 2026 · article · Mixed
Course guide for 29 March 2026: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) buoy loop at Punta Negra, 90 km (56 mi) point-to-point via Ullum, Marquesado and Rivadavia, and a 21.1 km (13.1 mi) loop through the capital past the stadium and Plaza Espana.
- Diario de CuyoRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Race report: intense sun and heat on race day; Pablo Bien won in 3:51:01 thanks to his bike, Clara Debiassi won the women's race on her 70.3 debut in 4:39:09. The winner said it is a beautiful province and he hopes to return.
- Diario de CuyoRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Describes about 1,200 competitors, an imposing sunrise at Punta Negra and strong support from local people along the course.
- Diario de CuyoRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Road-closure and security briefing: restrictions on Sunday from about 06:00 to 15:00 over the whole circuit, around 400 police in the morning and 300 in the afternoon, coordinated emergency centre with drones.
- FinishersRaced 2027 · aggregator · Mixed
Event page: bike 562 m (1,844 ft) gain, run 157 m (515 ft), reservoir surrounded by arid mountains, windy climate, mountainous bike and flat run. No athlete reviews.
Show 1 more
- RaceRavesRaced 2027 · aggregator · Mixed
Listing: reservoir swim, flat bike and run labels, average water 20 C (68 F), April highs 13-27 C (55-81 F). No athlete reviews posted.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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