IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun
Zell am See, Austria · August · IRONMAN
Why people love it
- Crystal-clear Lake Zell swim under glacier-topped Alps
- One big 13-14 km (8-9 mi) climb, then a fast 55 km (34 mi) return
- Flat two-lap lakeside run with alpine views
- Voted best IRONMAN 70.3 overall globally in 2025
Watch out for
- Weather swings: snow cancelled the 2018 bike and highs were 7 °C (45 °F) in 2023
- Long fast alpine descent from 1,283 m (4,210 ft)
- Sells out; book hotels early
- Crowded early bike roads led to drafting penalties in 2024
- Town sits at 750 m (2,460 ft)
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 satisfactionBucket list4.7
Voted best 70.3 overall globally and best bike in the 2025 athlete survey, and it sells out; few independent reports back it up. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.4
Smooth single-site logistics and a safe call to cancel the bike in 2018; early-bike crowding drew drafting penalties in 2024. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable2.7
A 13-14 km (8-9 mi) climb, a long alpine descent and cool changeable weather, though the swim and run are gentle. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.7
Hilly first half and a fast second half; the 2024 winners went 3:46:04 and 4:17:24, fast for elites but rarely PR territory. · Medium confidence
- Course easeVery tough2.2
870-1,010 m (2,850-3,310 ft) of climbing to a 1,280 m (4,200 ft) summit, with cold-weather risk. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.6
Wetsuits were legal in 2026, and the typical 17 °C (63 °F) water makes them the norm. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.0
17 °C (63 °F) average is cool but clear; 21 °C (70 °F) in 2018. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.3
A lake with calm conditions reported in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.2
Out-and-back in clear water; large groups exit together. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceSuperb4.6
Clear lake beneath glacier-topped Alps, described as one of the most spectacular 70.3 swims. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.8
Alpine roads in good condition; no explicit surface reports, though wet and slick in 2022. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.2
An official road-closure page exists; no complaints found. · Low confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.8
Athletes ranked it best bike in 2025 and Europe's third most beautiful IRONMAN course. · Medium confidence
- WindMostly calm4.0
Mountain valley; no wind complaints found. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage2.6
Hilly first half, then a fast 55 km (34 mi) run back; elites ride about 2:02 for 90 km (56 mi). · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly2.4
870-1,010 m (2,850-3,310 ft) is hilly for 90 km (56 mi), with one 13 km (8 mi) climb. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical2.2
A 14 km (9 mi) alpine descent at about 60 km (37.3 mi)/h (37 mph), tight early roads and wet corners. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong4.0
One report cites lots of vocal support in a pretty Austrian town. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.1
No complaints found; limited data. · Low confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.7
Lake shore with panoramic alpine views. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.8
Flat and cool to mild, but the 11:00 start meant a warm, humid run in 2024. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.6
Flat two-lap lakeside run. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Typical 13-25 °C (55-77 °F), pleasant but unpredictable. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.3
Snow cancelled the 2018 bike, rain fell in 2022, highs were 7 °C (45 °F) in 2023 and 2024 was warm and humid. · High confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.8
Lake, town and glacier-topped mountains. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.0
Two-loop lakeside run and a compact swim and transition area near town. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeModerate2.9
The town is about 750 m (2,460 ft) and the bike climbs to 1,280 m (4,200 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early2.5
The race sells out and tourist-season lodging is busy. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal2.5
No race-week price data; Alpine resort pricing. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.0
Swim start and transition are about 1 km (0.6 mi) from town. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Salzburg is the nearest airport, and a transfer is needed. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.0
A single area for start and transition is reported. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.4
Classic Alpine lakeside resort town. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Zell am See, Salzburg, Austria
- Typical month
- August
- Latest or next date
- 29 August 2027
- Organiser
- IRONMAN
- Distances
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lake Zell (Zeller See), Seespitz lido in Schuttdorf (lake)
- Water temperature
- 17–21 °C (63–70 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- rolling/wave, 11:00 start
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 1,010 m (3,310 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- main climb from Eschenau (22 km / 14 mi) to Filzen saddle above Dienten, 1,280 m (4,200 ft), about 13-14 km (8-9 mi) long, to about 10% in the top mile
- Run laps
- 2
- Run shade
- partial
- Air temperature
- 13–25 °C (55–77 °F)
- Humidity
- moderate
- Altitude
- 750 m (2,460 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Salzburg (SZG)
- Where to stay
- Zell am See town centre, lakeside near Seespitz
- Booking
- 2027 entry is sold out; hotel prices not found. A resort town with many lakeside hotels; Hotel Seehof sits behind rail tracks.
What racers and reviewers say
- Slowtwitch (Pohle/Noodt report)Raced 2024 · article · Positive
Warm, humid 11am start with a drinking-water-quality lake swim, a men's race that split on the first climb, early crowding that caused penalties, and a winner calling it possibly the best bike course he has ridden.
- Slowtwitch (Funk/Pallant-Browne report)Raced 2022 · article · Mixed
Wet, rain-slick bike where climbing and alpine descent skills decided the race; flat run produced fast splits.
- Slowtwitch (snow duathlon report)Raced 2018 · article · Negative
Officials cancelled the bike because of snow on the road; air was 8 C (46 F) before the start and the race became a swim-run.
- Slowtwitch forum (Pro Series preview)Raced 2025 · forum · Mixed
Posters report a 90.5 km (56 mi) route with about 1,010 m (3,310 ft), a 624 m (2,050 ft) gain in 14 km (9 mi) to the saddle with a top mile near 10%, and a fast descent from 1,283 m (4,210 ft). Start moved to 11am for cold forecast.
- Endurance Sports Wire (IRONMAN release)Raced 2026 · article · Positive
Ideal, wetsuit-legal conditions on a clear lake, a 13 km (8 mi) climb and a two-loop lakeside run.
Show 4 more
- Tri247 2026 reportsRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Search-result summary only: 2026 course record and a bike with a hilly first half followed by a mostly downhill and flat 55 km (34 mi) back to T2.
- Official destination pageRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Gives 870 m (2,850 ft) altitude difference, high point of 1,280 m (4,200 ft), and says athletes ranked the bike best in 2025 and third most beautiful in Europe. Promotional.
- IRONMAN race pageRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Organiser lists Best IRONMAN 70.3 Overall Globally (2025 Athletes' Choice), 15th edition, registration sold out.
- 220 Triathlon blogblog · Positive
Search summary only: one real climb from about 650 m (2,130 ft) to 1,292 m (4,240 ft) in under 15 km (9 mi), flat run with vocal support, weather changes.
Sources
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