Best 70.3/Half-iron Distance Triathlons in the U.S.

Updated December 10, 2024 06:11AM

One of the most popular triathlon distances, the 70.3 or half distance, is the perfect mix of speed and endurance. It’s a worthy challenge that requires dedication and commitment to training, but not as intimidating as a full Ironman can be.

It’s a great entry point into the world of long-course racing, and we have 12 events located around the country for you to choose from.

The best 70.3 races in western U.S.

In the list of the best half-distance races in the western United States, you’ll find triathlons that are old favorites that have made a triumphant return as well as a few new races that we anticipate will become fan favorites. On the list, you’ll find races from May through September in Bradley, California; Vancouver, BC, Canada; and Richland, Washington.

Wildflower Experience long course

The Wildflower Triathlon is back and promises to be better than ever after an extended hiatus. But Wildflower isn’t just another triathlon. It’s an entire multisport festival weekend complete with clinics, live entertainment, a beer garden, and movies under the stars. There’s even a Wildflower Wellness Spa with post-race massages and yoga classes.

Race distances include 70.3, Olympic, and sprint triathlons, as well as a 10K, 5K, trail runs, open water swims, and events for kids. There’s also a Collegiate Team Challenge, Tri Club Challenge, and relays.

The 1.2-mile swim takes place in Lake San Antonio, which typically sees race-day water temperatures of 65-68 degrees F. The 56-mile bike course is hilly and passes through valleys covered in wildflowers. The “Nasty Grade” at mile 40 and “Energized Peak” will put your legs to the test with a total elevation gain of 3,693 feet.

The 13.1-mile run takes athletes along the lake into the backcountry of Long Valley and through Redonda Vista and Lupine Meadows campground. Then, you turn around at the “Pit” and head back to the finish line. This run is 60% trail and 40% road with an elevation gain of 1,032 feet.

Ironman 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities

Washington is home to a true gem of a race. In sunny, scenic Richland, you will swim downriver, ride through wine country, and run on paved trails to the red carpet.

Your journey begins with a point-to-point downriver swim in the Columbia River. The location is unique because spectators can watch the entire swim from the Riverfront Trail nearby. The gently rolling bike course takes you on a tour of wine country in Eastern Washington on a single lap totaling 1,800 feet of elevation gain.

The one-loop, out-and-back run course is flat, taking athletes on paved trails and through parks. You’ll see great views along the river on your way to the finish line at Columbia Point Park. With more than 200 wineries within a 50-mile radius, you’ll have plenty of options to celebrate post-race!

The best 70.3 races in the U.S. mountain region

You’ll find diverse terrain, stunning vistas and fun destinations on the list of best races in North American in the mountain region. Races span from May to October to cover the main triathlon season. Destinations include Flagstaff, Arizona; Boise, Idaho; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Deuceman 70.3

Deuceman is a fun race with a quirky name located in the heart of the White Mountains in northeastern Arizona. The Deuces Wild Endurance Festival includes the Deuceman 70.3, Olympic, and sprint triathlons. There’s also a kid’s triathlon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 8K trail run.

If you want a fun challenge, do multiple races over the course of the two-day event to complete “The Flush” or “The Straight.”

The race begins at the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area. The swim is cold (58-65 degrees F) and has a one-lap triangle design. The bike course is hilly, but fast, through Ponderosa pine forest and high desert. The run takes place on a groomed trail around the lake and through the campground to a few rollers before the finish.

Ironman 70.3 Boise

After a nine-year hiatus, Boise is back, baby! The last time this race took place was in 2015, but Boise 70.3 will return in 2025 with renewed enthusiasm from the “City of Trees.”

This race with a reservoir swim, rolling bike, and flat run features incredible scenery at the base of the Boise Mountains. Expect a warm race day with an average air temperature of 81 and average water temperature of 72 degrees F.

Lucky Peak Reservoir is the site of a one-loop, diamond-shaped swim that concludes at Barclay Bay. The one-lap, rolling bike course takes athletes on a scenic tour of rural Boise roads and neighborhood streets to a downtown transition. Elevation gain is only 1,567 feet. The flat, two-lap run course goes along the Boise River Greenbelt Trail, which has plenty of shade and great spectator support.

The best 70.3 races in central U.S.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional triathlon format or prefer to take on a duathlon, aquabike, or aquathlon, you’ll find a race that matches your ambitions in central North America. Get started early in the season with a May race or extend your season into November in one of these fun cities: Grand Rapids, Michigan; St. Peters, Missouri; Madison, Wisconsin; and Montgomery, Texas.

Grand Rapids Half

Grand Rapids Triathlon is billed as Michigan’s largest independent triathlon and has been voted as one of the best triathlons for beginners.

There’s a sprint and super sprint on Saturday and Olympic and half-distance triathlon on Sunday. They also have aquabike, duathlon, and relay options. If you race on both days, you can complete the “Double Down” and receive a special medal that doubles as a bottle opener to crack open your celebratory post-race beverage.

With water temperatures that are consistently wetsuit legal, the swim is one lap in the Thornapple River. The bike is a single loop on flat country roads with total elevation gain of 1,514 feet. The run is two loops on a scenic and shaded trail.

This race likes to highlight first-time triathletes (over 27% of participants) by having them wear a green wristband so you can show them love out on the course!

370 Lakeside Triathlon

A relatively new event, 2025 will mark the fifth year for 370 Lakeside. This triathlon has a race for every level of athlete. There’s a super sprint and sprint with collegiate and high school divisions, as well as aquabike, duathlon, aquathlon, relay, and paratriathlon options.

There’s also an Olympic and half-distance triathlon. The half-distance triathlon consists of two laps in the lake, a two-loop bike on scenic country roads, and a two-loop run on park trails.

Once you’ve finished the race, you can enjoy the expo with music, vendors, athlete lounge, yard games, and food trucks. Also, 370 Lakeside Park is a fun place for the whole family complete with a splashpad, playground, fishing, and kayak rental. Prepare for a hot race day, but cool off with a treat at Travlin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck and Kona Ice.

Ironman 70.3 Wisconsin

The city of Madison knows how to host a triathlon. In addition to 70.3 Wisconsin on Sept. 6, Ironman Wisconsin takes place on September 7. It’s the ultimate Ironman weekend! Wonder how many people will try to do both…

But know that the 70.3 course is different than the full distance race. 70.3 athletes start at Law Park Beach and swim one lap in Lake Monona. The one-loop bike course takes a less hilly tour of Madison with just 1,744 feet of elevation gain.

The very flat, two-loop, out-and-back run stays entirely along Lake Monona with just 345 feet of elevation gain. It has fantastic views of downtown with a finish in front of the iconic Capitol Building.

Oilman Texas Triathlon

Oilman will celebrate their 23rd annual race in 2025 with a swim in Lake Conroe, a bike ride through Montgomery County, and a run that begins at the Margaritaville Resort. But if you’re not up for the half distance, there’s also a sprint triathlon.

The swim is an interesting configuration through an inlet with one lap. The one-loop bike course is rolling along farm roads with limited traffic into the National Forest. The two-loop, rolling run takes a winding route on asphalt, paved roads, and golf course paths.

This race is unique for two reasons. First, entries are limited to just 750 athletes for the half and 500 athletes for the sprint. Also, being able to do a long course triathlon for $250 (early sign-up) is unheard of these days.

The best 70.3 races in eastern U.S.

Take on multi-day, multi-race competitions or settle for a traditional one-day half event from this list of the best triathlons in east North America. Most races in this region are earlier in the season, so don’t delay in getting registered and following a training plan. Enjoy exploring the following areas of the country: Spotsylvania, Virginia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; East Freetown, Massachusetts; and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Kinetic Triathlon Festival

Lake Anna State Park is the site of the Kinetic Triathlon Festival, a two-day event that includes the Mid-Atlantic’s first long course race of the season. There’s also an Olympic on Saturday and a sprint on Sunday. If you race both days, you get a 20% discount.

The 1.2-mile swim starts on a sandy beach with a dive into the crisp freshwater lake that averages in the mid-60 degrees F range. The two-loop bike course takes athletes on rolling country roads by pine plantations with 1,798 feet of elevation gain. The three-loop run course stays entirely inside the state park on wooded roads with a total of 800 feet of gain.

Lake Anna State Park is an excellent venue for spectators with stadium-style seating that overlooks the swim start, run course, and finish line. Bring the whole family because the park has trails, a playground, and a beach for post-race fun.

Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga

As one of the most popular 70.3 races in North America, this event regularly sells out.

The 1.4-mile point-to-point swim is always a favorite as you head downriver to beautiful Ross’s Landing Park. Spectators have ample viewing opportunities from the Veterans and Market Street Bridges that athletes swim underneath on the way to transition. Although it’s traditionally wetsuit legal, it’s always a close call on race day with water temperatures in the low-70 degree F range.

The one-loop bike course has a rough first few miles over railroad tracks. But once you get to north Georgia, it’s smooth sailing on quality pavement. The bike course is very scenic as it runs parallel to Lookout Mountain and into historic Chickamauga. Elevation gain is 2,218 feet, but this is truly a rolling course that can be very fast with a net decrease once you pass the halfway point.

The two-loop run course has four main sections: from the Riverwalk to the highway, shaded paths past the swim start, over Veterans Bridge to North Shore, and back over Walnut Street Bridge. There are a few climbs that can sting the legs, but the massive downhill to the finish by the Tennessee Aquarium is always a fun way to finish a race.

Patriot Half

The one-lap swim takes place in the calm waters of Long Pond, the largest freshwater lake in Massachusetts. This race has always been wetsuit legal, with water temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s degree F range. There’s also an elite wave with its own mass swim start, while other waves follow a time trial format.

The bike course consists of 54 miles (the race company is working to make it 56) of mostly flat country roads with a few rollers. Athletes will pass by farms, cranberry bogs, and the Pocksha Pond Causeway. Total elevation gain is 1,430 feet.

The one-loop run is flat with one climb at mile 12.5. Elevation gain is only 422 feet. A few unique benefits of this independent race include special divisions for clydesdale, athena, paratriathlete, and aquabike; cash awards for the elite division; free race photo, and a post-race catered meal from Riccardi’s.

Ironman 70.3 North Carolina

If you’re a first timer dipping your toe into long course, or a seasoned athlete searching for a PR, 70.3 North Carolina is the race. The weather in Wilmington is always spectacular in October, so prepare for a fast wetsuit swim, a speedy bike, and a mostly flat run. But there are some logistics to keep in mind because it’s a split transition race where T1 and T2 are in different places.

The point-to-point swim begins at Wrightsville Beach and goes through a channel that’s connected to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Therefore, it’s a saltwater swim, but not in the ocean. There’s an incoming tide, so expect a fast split.

Next, athletes will take a tour from the beach to the countryside during the point-to-point bike ride. Although the course isn’t incredibly scenic, it’s flat and fast with only 643 feet of elevation gain. Once you cross the Cape Fear River, it’s time to start the run.

A new run course in 2024 featured an extended out-and-back section past transition before heading to the shaded roads around Greenfield Lake. The start has a few more hills than in the past, but the course is still just 261 feet of elevation gain. A change to the finish line location means that you run down the red carpet in front of the USS North Carolina battleship in historic downtown Wilmington.

Triathlete’s 2025 Guide to the Best Ironman 70.3 and Half-Distance Races in the U.S.

The best 70.3/half-distance races