10 Most Scenic Races

While there was plenty of yelling and screaming among our editorial staff when it came to picking winners in the other categories, we all came to quick agreement on the world’s most scenic race: Ironman 70.3 Pucon, located in south central Chile. Pucon is a rather quaint ski town during the South American winter, courtesy of the 9,340-foot Villarrica volcano that sits a few miles outside of town. The diverse landscape makes Pucon an outdoor party paradise come spring and summer. There’s no better way to take in the diverse scenery of Pucon than by swimming in Lake Villarrica, riding around the base of the massive volcano and then running through one of the funkiest and safest hidden gems in South America.

Ironman 70.3 Pucon
Location: Pucon, Chile
2010 Date: Jan. 24
Distance: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Website: Ironmanpucon.com

Auburn International Triathlon
Location: Auburn, Calif.
2010 Date: May 23
Distance:
Half-iron: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Sprint: 1K swim, 30K bike, 7K run
Website: Auburntriathlon.com

Ironman 70.3 St. Croix
Location: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
2010 Date: May 2
Distance: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Website: Stcroixtriathlon.com

Challenge Wanaka
Location: Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
2010 Date: Jan. 16
Distance: 3.8K swim, 180K bike, 42K run
Website: Challenge-wanaka.com

Catalina Island Triathlon
Location: Avalon, Catalina, Calif.
2010 Date: Nov. 6
Distance: .5-mile swim, 15K bike, 5K run
Website: Pacificsportsllc.com

Hoi An Vietnam International Triathlon
Location: Hoi An, Vietnam
2010 Date: Sept. 11
Distance: 1.5K, 40K, 10K
Website: Vietnamtriathlon.com

Mooloolaba Triathlon
Location: Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia
2010 Date: March 28
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run
Website: Usmevents.com.au/mooltri/index.html

Lavaman Triathlon
Location: Waikoloa, Hawaii
2010 Date: March 28
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run
Website: Lavamantriathlon.com

Viterra Ironman 70.3 Calgary

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2010 Date: Aug. 1
Distance: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Website: Ironmancalgary.com

Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans
Location: New Orleans, La.
2010 Date: April 18
Distance: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Website: Ironmanneworleans.com