IRONMAN 70.3 Austin has been discontinued, per race website. — Nicknamed the live music capital of the world, Austin, Texas plays host to one of the only indoor finishes on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit. Setting goals is key to achieving great things in sport. If you’ve done an IRONMAN 70.3 …
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IRONMAN 70.3 Austin has been discontinued, per race website.
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Nicknamed the live music capital of the world, Austin, Texas plays host to one of the only indoor finishes on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit.
Setting goals is key to achieving great things in sport. If you’ve done an IRONMAN 70.3 this year and are looking for another finish, IRONMAN 70.3 Austin is the perfect race for you. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned competitor, there is still plenty of time to put in another decent training block and achieve your goals in the “capital of cool.”
Can You Do It?
If you can comfortably ride 30 miles (50 km), run for 1 hour, and have maintained regular swims of between 1500 and 2000 yards/meters, IRONMAN 70.3 Austin has your name on it! Read more in our 4 Months to IRONMAN 70.3 training guide.
Ranked as one of the fittest cities in the country, Austin not only provides the perfect landscape for swimming, cycling and running, but serves as the perfect tourist destination. From shopping and entertainment to sporting events and history, Austin is packed with choices for both athletes and spectators. This race also serves as the IRONMAN 70.3 U.S. Collegiate National Championship.
The athlete’s day starts with a 1.2-mile, one-loop swim in Decker Lake, a recreational freshwater lake located at Walter E. Long Park with average water temperatures typically between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Following the swim, athletes continue on to a scenic, rural, one-loop, 56-mile bike ride passing through rolling Texas farmlands. Athletes will view expansive ranches, cedar-covered vistas, sunflower fields and prickly pear cacti.
The bike portion concludes at Luedecke Arena where athletes will kick off their three-loop half marathon. Taking athletes back to Walter E. Long Park and along the shores of Decker Lake, spectators will be able to cheer their athletes on as they reenter the Travis County Expo Center and finish their day inside the Luedecke Arena. Jessica Meyers, the 2011 champion comments, “Austin 70.3 has the distinction of finishing in an indoor arena, where family and spectators can escape the heat to watch you finish.”
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Venue isn't the best, but a good race
I did this as my first ever 70.3, but have since also volunteered as a kayaker for the swim, so I've seen it in action twice. I will agree with … MORE
I did this as my first ever 70.3, but have since also volunteered as a kayaker for the swim, so I’ve seen it in action twice. I will agree with most reviews that it isn’t the most beautiful or interesting part of Austin for a race. The expo center is ancient and Del Valle isn’t the greatest place to ride thanks to droughts in recent years cracking the roads. However, it’s still a good race worth doing, especially if you want to visit Austin- just stay downtown for fun things to do! The bike course is hilly, but not insane. The run course is also pretty dang hilly, and you do three loops, so you do those hills a few times. There’s not much shade on it, so stay on top of your hydration. The finish line through the arena is pretty cool- lots of crowd support. I’m over paying Ironman prices for races, so I probably won’t do it again, but if you want that full IM experience, there’s no reason not to do it here.
Might want to bring your own water
Course was ok, which considering the venue is a bit disappointing. Bike has some very sharp turns that pose a high risk. Run course has very poorly spaced water stops, … MORE
Course was ok, which considering the venue is a bit disappointing. Bike has some very sharp turns that pose a high risk. Run course has very poorly spaced water stops, two within a quarter mile of eachother then nothing for three miles.