IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland
Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland · June · IRONMAN 70.3
Why people love it
- Clear, clean Obersee swim with visible buoys
- Alpine foothill bike with locals cheering on the Witches Hill and The Beast
- Run through the old town with the castle stairs each lap
- Zurich Airport about 45 minutes away
Watch out for
- About 1,100 m (3,610 ft) of climbing, with 12 to 17% ramps
- Water of 15 to 17 °C (59 to 63 °F); the 2013 swim was cancelled
- The 2024 swim was shortened to 750 m (820 yd) after cold run-off
- Heat of 30 to 35 °C (86 to 95 °F) in several years
- Gravel and 64 castle steps each run lap
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 satisfactionLoved4.4
Finishers rate it 4.8, 4.9 and 4.1 out of 5, loving the lake, climbs, crowds and organisation, though several call it tougher than expected. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.3
Reviewers call it top-notch with regular updates, though one found the pasta party poor and the swim was cut in 2024. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.0
About 1,100 m (3,610 ft) of climbing, 12 to 17% ramps, cold water and a stair-climb run make it a hard first 70.3. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.7
Steep ramps, fast descents, gravel and 64 castle steps each run lap make this a slow course. · Medium confidence
- Course easeVery tough2.2
One finisher called it the toughest triathlon he had completed; others found it harder than expected. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.5
Water was 14.9 to 17 °C (59 to 63 °F) in reported years, with wetsuits used; one 2018 swim was close to the limit. · High confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable2.5
Typically 15 to 17 °C (59 to 63 °F), cold even in a wetsuit. · High confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.6
Sheltered upper lake with no current, but one 2018 racer met higher waves than expected. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.0
A clear out-and-back with visible buoys, though wave starts are crowded. · High confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.2
Crystal-clear, clean water in Obersee, with a recon swim offered the day before. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood4.0
Few comments; roads read as good with some very steep ramps. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.0
Riders describe crowded but organised roads with local support; closure details are not stated. · Low confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.5
Lake and alpine foothill views, with locals cheering on the climbs. · High confidence
- WindSome wind3.3
Lakeside sections are exposed, and a strong headwind hit the last 10 km (6 mi) in 2014. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage2.7
Two loops with a 12 to 17% hill and a long climb, plus a headwind finish in 2014; fast descents help. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly1.9
About 1,100 m (3,610 ft) over 90 km (56 mi), with riders surprised by the amount. · High confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts2.7
Steep climbs and descents reaching about 70 km (43.5 mi)/h (43 mph) on two loops. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportElectric4.6
Cowbells, fancy dress and a band on The Beast; athletes describe fantastic crowds. · High confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.3
Many aid stations, with extra showers and sponges in hot years. · High confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.5
Old town, lakeside and the castle stairs. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.2
Gravel sections, steps and heat of 30 to 35 °C (86 to 95 °F) in several years. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.2
Two laps through the old town, a tough field section and the castle stairs each lap. · 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
Race days ranged from 20 °C (68 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F), plus cold rain in 2024. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.5
The 2013 swim was cancelled, the 2024 swim was shortened to 750 m (820 yd), and heat and rain vary. · High confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.6
Lake Zurich, an old town and a castle with alpine foothills. · High confidence
- Spectator friendlySee them often4.5
Two-loop bike and run through town let supporters see athletes often. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow4.2
About 408 m (1,339 ft) above 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 availabilityBook early3.4
Rapperswil is small, but Zurich is 45 minutes away by train. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal2.8
No race-week price evidence found; Swiss hotels are generally costly. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.2
A 2016 athlete stayed about 7 minutes' walk from the race area. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.4
Zurich Airport is about 45 minutes away by public transport or car. · High confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.9
A compact venue with a lakeside village, though the course has two loops each for bike and run. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.2
An old town and lakeside setting, with Zurich close by; athletes say little about food. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Rapperswil-Jona, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 7 June 2026
- Organiser
- IRONMAN 70.3
- Field size
- About 2,300 athletes
- Distances
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Obersee (upper Lake Zurich) at the Lido (lake)
- Water temperature
- 15–17 °C (59–63 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- wave
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 1,100 m (3,610 ft)
- Bike laps
- 2
- Key climbs
- Witches Hill (Hexenberg): short, 12-13% (up to 17% reported); The Beast to Goldingen: roughly 5-6% average, steeper pitches reported
- Run laps
- 2
- Run shade
- Mixed town and open fields
- Air temperature
- 16–32 °C (61–90 °F)
- Humidity
- moderate
- Altitude
- 408 m (1,340 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Zurich (ZRH)
- Where to stay
- Rapperswil old town, Station area
- Booking
- Zurich Airport is about 45 minutes by public transport or car; Rapperswil is also about 45 minutes by train from Zurich city. A 2016 athlete stayed at a hotel opposite the station, about 7 minutes' walk from the race area.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceCheck (James D.)Raced 2024 · aggregator · Positive
4.8/5: swim shortened to 750 m (820 yd) after rain brought glacial run-off, but the lake was beautiful and clean. Bike in three roughly equal sections with a big climb where locals cheered; run mostly great apart from a tough field section and the steps. Organisation top-notch with regular updates.
- RaceCheck (Katerina T.)Raced 2016 · aggregator · Positive
4.9/5: water 14.9 C (59 F) with clearly visible buoys, a beautiful bike with strong climb support, run on gravel and tarmac with many aid stations and a tough stairway. Stayed opposite the station about 7 minutes' walk away; excellent organisation and Ironkids event.
- RaceCheck (Lorna N.)Raced 2015 · aggregator · Mixed
4.1/5: beautiful lake swim, scenic alpine bike with the tough Witches Hill, and stifling heat near 30 C (86 F) on the run with sponges. Fantastic crowds; some athletes disqualified for littering.
- RaceCheck (Marco S.)Raced 2012 · aggregator · Mixed
3.8/5 from a five-time finisher: water often about 15 C (59 F) with cancellation risk, bike measured near 84 km (52 mi) instead of 90 km (56 mi), a pleasant run with gravel, and poor-quality pasta party.
- Tom MaultRaced 2022 · blog · Positive
First 70.3 in a 35 C (95 F) heatwave: 33:42 swim, a two-lap bike of about 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of climbing with a 17% ramp and long flowing descents, and a cautious half marathon. Spectators with cowbells and fancy dress stood out; he forgot his race belt.
“Getting to the finish line is the sport, doing it fast comes later.”
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- ATAC (Korneel Wever)Raced 2014 · blog · Mixed
Water 16.6 C (62 F) and a bike with 1,067 m (3,500 ft) of climbing instead of the expected 600 m (1,970 ft), including a Cat 4 and Cat 3 climb and a descent to about 70 km (43.5 mi)/h (43 mph). Run included a 50-step climb; weather sunny at about 20 C (68 F).
“Tougher than expected”
- Iron LenRaced 2018 · blog · Positive
Second 70.3: swim just below wetsuit-legal with higher waves than expected, a two-loop bike with Witches' Hill and The Beast and enthusiastic locals, and a run with the castle stairs each lap in hot weather. Extra aid with showers and sponges; stayed near the centre and lake.
“Very well organised, beautiful routes and great locals cheering”
- Tyne Bridge Harriers (Bam Rashid)Raced 2015 · blog · Mixed
17 C (63 F) lake, crowded start, a 1,100 m (3,610 ft) bike with a 15% Beast climb, 32 C (90 F) heat, and a 64-step stairway on the run. Strong crowd support including a Caribbean band on The Beast.
“The toughest Triathlon that I have ever completed”
- Slowtwitch Forum (markko)Raced 2014 · forum · Positive
First 70.3: 61 F (16 C) water in a wetsuit, crowded but fun bike with easy early climbs and a strong headwind in the last 10 km (6 mi), and a fast run. Calm clear morning, stadium base with real bathrooms and an official recon swim the day before.
“my first real endurance race, really happy about it”
- Swiss SideRaced 2026 · article · Mixed
Simulation analysis: two 45 km (28 mi) loops with about 1,100 m (3,610 ft) of gain, a flat 10 km (6 mi) lake stretch, Witches' Hill at 12-13% and The Beast at around 5%; lakeside winds and fast descents mean TT bikes beat road bikes by about 5.5 minutes.
- iamexpat.chRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Visitor guide: crystal-clear Obersee swim, hilly bike with incredible views, run up the Stairway to Heaven stone steps; Zurich Airport about 45 minutes away and live tracking offered.
Sources
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