2025 Best Ironman and Iron-distance Races

Published December 5, 2024 06:00AM

So, you want to do an Ironman? Now that you’ve decided to tackle a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run, there’s only one thing left to choose … the perfect race destination!

We’ve rounded up all the Ironman and iron-distance races in North America so you can pick your ideal race venue. From quirky non-branded ultras to iconic Ironman events, your next full-distance race is on this list.

Best western North American Ironman/iron-distance races

The best Ironman and iron-distance races in Western North America feature events in St. Charles, Idaho; Sacramento, California; Tempe, Arizona; and Cozumel, Mexico. Race dates are September through November, giving you ample time to train.

Bear Lake Brawl

At the Bear Lake Brawl triathlon, athletes can choose from four different race distances, including a sprint, Olympic, half, and full. If you’re not up for doing the full 140.6 on your own, there’s a relay option, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, and aquabike versions.

The swim takes place in the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” the incredibly blue, and often chilly, water of Bear Lake State Park. Then, athletes ride a fairly flat, two-loop route around the lake before returning to transition for an out-and-back, scenic run against the backdrop of the Idaho mountains.

Bear Lake State Park is in a remote area of Idaho, so don’t expect the spectator presence and all the bells and whistles of a typical Ironman event. Also, know that you’ll be sharing the course with the half-iron distance athletes.

But you can look forward to two different hot soups with bread and a bowl of ice cream at the finish line.

Ironman California

If you’re looking for a PR-worthy course, Ironman California in sunny Sacramento might be just the ticket. With an average water temperature of 65 degrees, prepare for a chilly, but fast, swim down the American and Sacramento Rivers with a finish near the famous Tower Bridge. It was voted one of the best swim courses in North America.

The two-loop bike course is pancake flat with only 700 feet of elevation gain. As with most flat courses, there’s the likelihood of some wind, but you will enjoy the scenic California wine country views along the way.

The fast and flat, two-loop run takes athletes on the River Walk Trail, under the Tower Bridge, and into tree-lined Discovery Park. Then, cap off your day by running down the red carpet in front of the California State Capitol.

Ironman Arizona

Having just celebrated its 20th anniversary, Ironman Arizona is another fast course with a lake swim, flat-ish bike, and flat run. The race is based in Tempe, Arizona, which is often referred to as the Valley of the Sun, because it gets over 300 days of sunshine.

But prepare for a cold wetsuit mandatory swim. The water temperature in 2024 was 60 degrees. The course is easy to navigate with a one-lap, out-and-back design in Tempe Town Lake.

The three-lap bike course takes athletes into the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community with views of giant Saguaro cacti and red rock formations. Although the road quality isn’t the best, the gradual 10-mile climb to the turnaround isn’t too steep. Elevation gain is only 2,500 feet, but be prepared to encounter some wind throughout the day.

The spectator support on the run course is second to none, and three laps around the lake ensures that you will see your family and friends plenty of times before the finish.

Ironman Cozumel

If you want to escape the doldrums of winter, look no further than Cozumel, Mexico. Located off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, this beachside paradise has over 14 miles of coral reefs, sandy beaches, and turquoise waters.

The point-to-point swim takes athletes along the edge of a coral reef so keep your eyes peeled for colorful fish and turtles. Just know that with average water temperatures in the 80s, you’re signing up for a non-wetsuit swim. But the trade-off is a blazing fast current that leads to record-breaking times.

The extremely flat bike course takes athletes on three laps around the island. Due to strong crosswinds, disc wheels aren’t permitted. The three-lap run course passes by signature sites like the waterfront walk, downtown, and historic neighborhoods with amazing spectator support. One unique feature of the run course is that it’s closed to traffic.

Complete with costumed performers at bike check-in and enthusiastic spectators, Ironman Cozumel delivers a party-like atmosphere making it the perfect conclusion to the North American Ironman season.

Best central North American Ironman/Iron-distance races

Wanting to get out of the country for an Ironman race without crossing the pond? Apparently, many triathletes do too because Ironman Canada-Ottawa sold out more than a year in advance. Other race locations on the list of 2025 best central North American Ironman and iron-distance races include The Woodlands, Texas; Madison, Wisconsin; Dousman, Wisconsin; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Race dates range from early spring to September.

Ironman Canada-Ottawa

A new event on the Ironman calendar, Ironman Canada-Ottawa sold out in July 2024 (over a year in advance) with 3,000 athletes prepared to compete at the inaugural event.

The 3.8-kilometer swim takes place in two loops of the Ottawa River. The bike course takes athletes on 2.75 scenic loops with minimal elevation gain of 323 meters. An exciting feature is that the bike course is completely closed to traffic. Athletes will ride on parkways throughout the city of Ottawa passing by historic landmarks like Embassy Row.

The marathon begins at the base of Parliament Hill and consists of two, flat loops that trace along the Rideau Canal and finish in front of Parliament.

Ironman Texas

The Woodlands is the site of the first North America Ironman of the season. Always a favorite among athletes, Ironman Texas has received accolades, including the best overall race, best finish line, best post-race experience, and best run course.

The point-to-point swim takes place in freshwater Lake Woodlands with only one turnaround (athletes start out swimming southwest to the turnaround, swim northeast and then turn right due east toward the swim finish). A unique section that travels through a narrow canal allows athletes to hear spectators cheering on the shoreline. But with an average water temperature of 74 degrees, it’s not guaranteed to be wetsuit legal.

The flat, two-lap bike course is mostly closed to traffic, but prepare for the wind, which can be your friend or your enemy. The Hardy Toll Road isn’t exactly the most scenic and, with no shade to speak of, be sure to wear sunscreen.

The run is the best part of this course and takes athletes on three laps around the lake under shade trees. A highlight is Hippie Hollow where spectators clad in tie-dye, twinkling lights, and the beat of drums will help lift your spirits on the way to the finish line.

Ironman Wisconsin

Ironman Wisconsin is a historic race on the Ironman calendar and a bucket-list experience for many triathletes. The consistently top-rated swim course takes athletes on two laps in Lake Monona. When you exit the swim, don’t forget to “Moo!” because it’s tradition. Then, head up the helix to transition.

The hilly, two-lap bike course is a bit of a beast. You’ll roll along peaceful farm roads on the way to three challenging climbs referred to as the “Three Sisters” – Old Sauk Pass, Timber Lane, and Midtown Road. Spectators like to hang out in the town of Verona around the halfway point, which provides a much-needed boost to conquer this course with 4,120 feet of elevation gain.

The two-lap run goes along a lakeshore path and into downtown Madison where athletes get to run on the turf inside Camp Randall Stadium. Then, continue to the red carpet to complete your journey in front of the iconic Capitol Building.

Wisconsin Anvil

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, consider the Wisconsin Anvil Ultra Triathlon at Ottawa Lake State Park. But be sure you sign up for the right distance. In addition to the 1x Anvil (140.6 miles), they also offer a 1.5x, 2x, 3x, and 5x continuous Anvil. They also offer relay, aquavelo, and duathlon options.

Mammoth Endurance, the company that produces the event, has over 30 years of experience and puts on similar ultra-distance triathlons in Florida, Virginia, and Washington Island. Craig and Maddie Braun own Mammoth Endurance and operate it with their close-knit crew, providing a more personalized race experience.

To ensure athlete safety and support, the course is compressed with a .20-mile swim loop, 5.58-mile out and back, and 1.007-mile loop run. A unique part of this race is the “pit area” in Anvil Village where you can receive aid from your support crew during every lap. They also have a kitchen complete with home-cooked breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. Be sure to hammer the anvil when you finish!

Michigan Titanium

A favorite among athletes, Michigan Titanium is one of the largest non-branded ultra-triathlons in North America. Their focus is on athlete experience and making the 140.6 distance affordable.

Versluis Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the race venue. The 2.4-mile swim is clean and clear because gas motors aren’t allowed in Versluis Lake. The two-lap bike course is hilly, and the run course is an out and back design with four laps.

Keep in mind that Michigan Titanium also offers a sprint, Olympic, and half-distance triathlon, so full distance athletes will share the course with 70.3 athletes.

A unique aspect of this race is that athletes are encouraged to cross the finish line with their families. There’s a spectator point of entry on the run course at the corner of Versluis Dr. and Northland Dr., right before the finish chute.

Best eastern North American Ironman/Iron-distance races

Eastern North America is home to some beloved long distance races as well as a few new events to test out in 2025. Race dates span the full tri season so find one that fits your schedule. Locations include Huddleston, Virginia; Lake Placid, New York; Penn Yan, New York; Cambridge, Maryland; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Panama City Beach, Florida.

Endure Ultra Triathlon

A new independent race, the Endure Ultra Triathlon, will take place at Smith Mountain Lake in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Although their flagship event is the double ultra triathlon (281.2 miles), they also have a 140.6, as well as double duathlon, double aquabike, and double relay option. Like most ultra triathlons, this course has a compressed format with a .6-mile swim, 5.68-mile bike, and 1-mile run.

Ironman Lake Placid

Ironman Lake Placid is an institution with an award-winning course, including best bike course in the world, second-best run course and third-best overall race in North America. Part of the appeal is undoubtedly the breathtaking views along the shores of Mirror Lake in New York.

The calm, clear water is a favorite because the temperature in the high 60s to low 70s is typically wetsuit legal. Also, there’s an underwater cable line that sits a few feet below the surface, which helps you swim in the right direction.

The two-lap bike course is a killer with 8,364 feet of gain. Two laps with incredible views of the Adirondacks take athletes by the ski jumps, Whiteface Mountain, and the Olympic Center. A highlight is the Keene descent where you drop 1,500 feet over 4-5 miles.

The two-lap run course takes you through the city center and has only 1,604 feet of gain, much of it in a single climb over Mill Hill. The cap on a truly epic day is running down the red carpet to the Olympic Oval.

Peasantman Steel Triathlon

When you complete the Peasantman Steel Triathlon you will cover 144.6 miles, thanks to a slightly longer bike course. But every athlete to cross the finish line will be knighted as a Peasantman! The name “Peasantman” is a cheeky nod to the event’s founder, Joe McMahon, who saw the need for a more affordable full-distance race experience.

In 2025, Peasantman will serve as the USA Triathlon Ultra Distance National Championship. Traditionally held the third Sunday in August at Indian Pines Park in Penn Yan, New York, this event has a variety of race distances to choose from. There’s the 144.6 steel triathlon, 72.3 half steel, 35.2 intermediate steel, and sprint distance, as well as relay, aquabike, and duathlon options. All athletes compete on the same course.

The full-distance swim consists of two laps in Keuka Lake. The bike course consists of four laps on rolling hills through rural countryside, so don’t be surprised if you see a horse and buggy. The four-lap, out and back run is pretty flat, and the course doesn’t close until 12:30 a.m., so you have extra time to finish.

Ironman Maryland

When you complete Ironman Maryland in the heart of Cambridge, Maryland, you become part of Crabby Nation. Known as a very welcoming race for beginners, local coaches even put on a clinic for first-timers.

The 2.4-mile swim includes two laps in the brackish tidal waters of the Choptank River. There can be some current and chop, and you might encounter a few Sea Nettles. Seasoned athletes use a little Vaseline to protect against their minor stings.

The bike course consists of two laps through rural Dorchester County into the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, home to one of the highest concentrations of bald eagles on the Atlantic Coast. It’s truly a pancake flat course with just 479 feet of gain.

An athlete favorite is the three-lap, out-and-back run course that goes along the Choptank River and through quaint neighborhoods in downtown Cambridge. You pass by the house that Annie Oakley lived in from 1913-1917, as well as High Street, the most haunted street in Maryland. Be prepared to hear the cheers at the spectator-lined “Chaos Corner” that you pass by six times.

Ironman Chattanooga

Tennessee is a triathlon destination with many athletes making the trip twice a year to complete the Chattanooga double: 70.3 Chattanooga in May and Ironman Chattanooga in September. The point-to-point swim is always a favorite heading downstream in the Tennessee River. While it’s typically wetsuit legal, it’s always on the edge.

Once you exit transition at Ross’s Landing Park, you head out on a new bike course that debuted in 2024. The three-lap route takes athletes on a dedicated lane on US-27 with amazing views as you ride parallel to the Cumberland Plateau. Over the course of 112 miles, you accumulate 4,300 feet of elevation gain.

The two-loop run is very similar to the 70.3 course. You run along the Riverwalk and over Veterans Bridge to North Shore. Be prepared for an extended climb up Barton Avenue. Then, run back over the big, blue pedestrian bridge on Walnut Street before finishing by the riverside at the Tennessee Aquarium.

Ironman Florida

If you’re looking for a race-cation destination, Panama City Beach is the place to be in November. Surrounded by turquoise waters and sandy beaches that stretch on for miles, this is a flat, fast course.

The crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico serve as the site of a two-lap swim around Russell-Fields Pier with a brief respite between laps thanks to an Australian exit. While it’s typically wetsuit legal, the ocean can be unpredictable with waves, strong current, and the occasional jellyfish.

The single-loop bike course is primarily flat with a few rolling hills along the intracoastal waterways into Pine Log State Forest. While flat means fast, be prepared to encounter some wind throughout the day.

Once you return to Pier Park, you will begin a two-lap run along Front Beach Rd. which travels by beach hotels and restaurants filled with cheering supporters. Your friends and family will see you four times on this course. Running down the red carpet underneath palm trees that twinkle with Christmas lights is an incredible experience for every Ironman finisher.

Triathlete’s 2025 Guide to the Best Ironman and Iron-Distance Races in North America

Best Ironman and Iron-Distance Races in the U.S. & North America