IRONMAN Lanzarote
Puerto del Carmen, Spain · May · IRONMAN
Why people love it
- Spectacular volcanic scenery and a bucket-list reputation
- About 2,550 m (8,370 ft) of climbing on one 180 km (112 mi) island loop
- Big crowds at the beach start and seafront run
- Small field of about 1,000 keeps drafting down
- Flat seafront run after the hard bike
Watch out for
- Relentless 30-50 km (18.6–31.1 mi)/h (19-31 mph) wind and dangerous crosswinds on exposed lava roads
- Slow course: PRs are unlikely, and the 2025 bike was 7-8 minutes slower than 2024
- Intense sun and little run shade; air 22-30 °C (72-86 °F)
- Easy to overcook the early bike and have no legs for the run
- Long, lonely bike stretches; the 2024 staggered start was chaotic
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 satisfactionLoved4.1
A bucket-list reputation and rapturous pro and club reports, tempered by 2022 and 2024 age-grouper accounts of a lonely, grueling day. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.8
Smooth for 2013 and 2019 reporters, but the 2024 staggered start was chaotic. We found no wider complaints, though evidence is limited. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyExperts only1.4
Crosswinds on exposed descents, 2,550 m (8,370 ft) of climbing and pacing traps. Two sources and Prommer advise a faster course for a first Ironman. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialVery slow1.1
With 2,550 m (8,370 ft) of climbing and 30-50 km (18.6–31.1 mi)/h (19-31 mph) trade winds, PRs are unlikely. The 2025 bike ran 7-8 minutes slower. · High confidence
- Course easeExtreme1.3
Billed as the toughest IRONMAN: 2,550 m (8,370 ft) of climbing, wind, sun and heat. · High confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.9
Water is 18-20 °C (64-68 °F), well under the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) age-group limit, so wetsuits are normally legal. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureIdeal4.5
At 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) the water is at the cool end of comfortable, and fine in a wetsuit. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterSome chop2.8
Choppy and rough in 2019 and 2024 reports, with current against swimmers in 2022. It is a sheltered bay, not described as dangerous. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeModerate2.9
A start of about 1,800-2,000 swimmers, a chaotic 2024 start, and sun in eyes plus current in 2022. The 2.2 km (1.4 mi) two-lap layout is simple. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.6
Thousands line the beach and the two-lap beach run is easy to watch, but starts are congested, 2024 was chaotic, and 2022 had sun-in-eyes sighting. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.3
Lava-field roads. One rough stretch was reported in 2013, otherwise there are no criticisms, though direct surface evidence is thin. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.0
A 2013 report says roads are mostly closed, and a field of about 1,000 means little traffic and rare drafting. Other details were not confirmed. · Medium confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.6
El Golfo coast, the Fire Mountains (Timanfaya) and Mirador del Rio views toward Fuerteventura make it among the most dramatic bike courses in the sport. · High confidence
- WindNotoriously windy1.1
Wind defines the island: 30-50 km (18.6–31.1 mi)/h (19-31 mph) trade winds, no shelter and dangerous crosswinds. Only the final 64 km (40 mi) offers a tailwind. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedVery slow1.3
About 2,550 m (8,370 ft) of climbing and 30-50 km (18.6–31.1 mi)/h (19-31 mph) wind. Records came in 2026 on a rare calm day. · High confidence
- Bike flatnessMountainous1.0
About 2,550 m (8,370 ft) of climbing, which is mountainous. · High confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical2.4
Frightening crosswind descents in 2024 on exposed lava roads demand handling skill. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.8
Big crowds on the beach and seafront, but 2022 and 2024 reporters call the bike lonely and long. Crowds lifted the 2019 run. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.1
A 2024 finisher said aid stations were plentiful and club support kept her going. We found no shortages. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.3
Ocean views along the seafront promenade, then a plain, exposed run out toward the airport and back. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsHard2.3
Intense sun, little shade and a headwind past the airport after a brutal bike. Heat caused late fades in 2013 and 2024. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.7
A flat seafront promenade over three laps. The first lap is about a half marathon, then two loops of about 10 km (6.2 mi). · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.5
Late-May air is 22-30 °C (72-86 °F) with strong dry sun. Wind cools you, but sun and heat caused fades. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.7
Reliably sunny and reliably windy, with no cancellations found. Wind strength still swings finish times, with the 2025 bike 7-8 minutes slower than 2024. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.2
A volcanic island billed as racing on another planet. The Puerto del Carmen resort strip itself is ordinary. · High confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.4
The beach start and three-lap seafront run are easy to watch, but the single 180 km (112 mi) island loop is hard to follow. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level, about 10 m (33 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.4
A mass-tourism resort island with many hotels. Club La Santa, about 25 minutes away, books first. · Medium confidence
- Hotel valueGood4.1
In 2017, Occidental Lanzarote Mar cost EUR 77-123 a night in race week, a pool-equipped sports hotel about 20 km (12 mi) from the hub. · Medium confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.6
T1, start and finish are walkable in Puerto del Carmen. Prommer advises a rental car; Costa Teguise hotels are about 20 km (12 mi) away. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.9
Lanzarote airport (ACE) is about 8 km (5 mi) away with direct European charters. You will need to transport your bike. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.6
A single beach hub in Puerto del Carmen. One 2013 reporter found it relaxed; we found few other details. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.9
An established tourist resort with plenty of restaurants. We found no specific reviews. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
- Typical month
- May
- Latest or next date
- 23 May 2026
- Organiser
- IRONMAN
- Field size
- About 1,000 athletes
- First held
- 1992
- Distances
- 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Swim 2:20, Finish 17:00
- Swim venue
- Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen (ocean)
- Water temperature
- 18–20 °C (64–68 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- mass
- Swim laps
- 2
- Bike climbing
- 2,550 m (8,370 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- Mirador de Haria; Mirador del Rio; Fire Mountains (Timanfaya) long windy climb
- Run laps
- 3
- Run shade
- Little; intense sun
- Air temperature
- 22–30 °C (72–86 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry subtropical
- Altitude
- 10 m (33 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Lanzarote (ACE), Arrecife, 8 km (5 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Puerto del Carmen, Club La Santa, Costa Teguise (further)
- Booking
- Puerto del Carmen is the hub; Costa Teguise hotels are about 20 km away. Occidental Lanzarote Mar listed EUR 77-123 per night in Ironman week (2017).
What racers and reviewers say
- Zone3 - Nikki Bartlett (2019)Raced 2019 · blog · Positive
Pro win report: rough, choppy mass-start swim with thousands on the beach, over 2,440 m (8,000 ft) of bike climbing in strong crosswinds with no shelter, endless wind on the run, intense sun, and enthusiastic crowds.
“One of, if not the best, days of my life.”
- Blackburn Harriers - Brian (2015)Raced 2015 · blog · Positive
Club report on an age-grouper placing 18th overall. Describes two-lap swim at Playa Grande, island bike with 2,551 m (8,370 ft) climbing and notorious wind, three-lap flat seafront run with big crowds and fierce sun. Official site called conditions extraordinarily tough.
- Triathlon Magazine Canada - toughest IRONMANRaced 2025 · article · Positive
Preview of the 32nd edition: a 41 km (25 mi) recon ride took 20 minutes longer than expected in the wind, with 2,550 m (8,370 ft) of climbing over Mirador de Haria, Mirador del Rio and the Fire Mountains. Small field of about 1,000, so drafting is rare. Framed as a bucket-list race.
“At least they didn't say it was a 'light breeze.'”
- Triathlon Magazine Canada - 70.3 LanzaroteRaced 2024 · article · Positive
Photo essay on the 70.3 on the same island: spectacular El Golfo coastline, volcanic Fire Mountains and views toward Fuerteventura. Wind stopped many athletes and the course would be hard even without it.
- Alan Couzens - course analysisblog · Mixed
Coach's analysis: single hilly loop with climbs not extremely steep but made harder by headwind, a flat three-lap run with wind and sun, pacing advice not to overcook the early bike, and a tailwind with downhill in the final 64 km (40 mi). Suggests a 25-27 tooth cog.
Show 7 more
- 220 Triathlon - Racing in the Wind (Timo Bracht)article · Mixed
Three-time European champion says wind is the island's main factor: you can't see it because there are few trees or flags, but you feel it, and crosswinds can be dangerous so bike handling matters. (From search snippet; page returned 403.)
- Slowtwitch - Lanzarote hotel for athletesRaced 2017 · article · Positive
Profile of Occidental Lanzarote Mar in Costa Teguise (about 20 km (12.4 mi) / 12 mi from the race hub): 50 m (164 ft) pool, sports reception, route advice, and EUR 77-123 per night rates during Ironman week.
- TriRating - 2025 and 2026 analysisRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Archive summaries: wind and hills made the 2025 bike 7-8 minutes slower than 2024, while 2026 conditions were quick, with Laidlow setting bike and overall course records (bike just under 4:30) and Lange a run record. Shows how much wind swings times.
- City of Lancaster Triathlon Club - Jeanie Starkie (2024)Raced 2024 · blog · Positive
Age-grouper finished in about 14 hours and earned a Nice World Championship slot. Enjoyed the choppy swim but found the staggered start chaotic. Bike was windy with frightening crosswind descents and felt long and lonely; run was hot with a headwind past the airport, but aid stations were plentiful and club support kept her going.
“the whole experience was just brilliant”
- Newcastle (Staffs) Tri Club - Richard Hall (2022)Raced 2022 · blog · Mixed
Finished in about 15 hours after a 1:22 swim into the sun against the current, then a headwind up to 27 km (16.8 mi)/h (17 mph) for half the bike. Run was three beachfront loops. Describes the day as lonely and grueling, cites unofficial DNF rates far above past years, and would not recommend it as a first Ironman. Arrived three days early and hired a bike on the island rather than travelling with his own.
“relentless, gruelling and lonely”
- Mid Sussex Tri Club - James Graham (2013)Raced 2013 · blog · Positive
Age-grouper finished 11:14 with a warm-water, congested beach mass start (about 1,800 swimmers), a mostly closed-road bike with windy exposed sections and one rough stretch, and a flat coastal run where the heat caused a late fade. Relaxed, friendly atmosphere with family allowed over the finish line.
- Prommer.net - Race Guide 2026 (Thomas Prommer)Raced 2026 · article · Mixed
Coach's guide: water 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) and wetsuit normally legal, 17 h cutoff with 2:20 swim cutoff, about 2,500 m (8,200 ft) climbing, trade winds gusting 30-50 km (18.6–31.1 mi)/h (19-31 mph), 22-30 °C (72-86 °F) air. T1, start and finish are walkable in Puerto del Carmen; a rental car is advised and Club La Santa (about 25 min away) books first. Recommends a faster course such as Hamburg or Frankfurt for a first Ironman.
“Lanzarote punishes unprepared athletes.”
Sources
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