Here's the complete analysis of how Kona slots were distributed globally, by age group. For everything else Kona, visit our Complete Qualifying for Kona Coverage, Kona Qualifying Times and Kona Qualifying Slots for each Ironman event.
Half Ironman 70.3 Triathlon: Hardest Courses, Easiest Courses, and Details
Which is the hardest half marathon race? Which is the easiest? We put 32 Half Ironman 70.3 races to the test, analyzing the complete results for nearly 67,000 triathletes. Here are the results, by Raymond Britt
Top 5 Toughest Half Ironman 70.3 Races: Branson, UK, Japan, Philippines and Boise.
- For further details and links to data for each race, see Chart of 32 Best Half Ironman 70.3 Races,
- For similar comparative charts, see our 30 toughest half Ironman 70.3 swim, bike, run courses.
- Wondering what your Ironman finish time might be, based on your half Ironman 70.3 time? See our Analysis of Ironman Finish Targets vis a vis Half Ironman Finish Times
- Want more of our comparisons? See our Easiest/Hardest Ironman Couse Comparisons
- Even more? See our Analysis of 25 Best Marathon Races
Toughest. The UK Ironman also ranks among the toughest Ironman distance races. Branson's challenging bike course left many short of energy on the run. Philippines triathletes fared well on the swim and bike, but the run -- the toughest of those we've ranked -- that landed it on this list. Both UK races -- 70.3 and Ironman -- rank as top 5 toughest.
Clearwater. The 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater has the fastest time, but we expect that, because of the world-class line-up of athletes racing there. Same is true with Ironman Kona; it ranks as fastest among the 25 Ironman races we've analyzed. For now, Clearwater is left out of the charts.
Fastest. Brazil, Austria and Pucon are clearly the fastest courses of this group. We're not sure what to make of Brazil's times; they might be too fast. Austria's rank is similar to the country's full Ironman distance race. Steelhead triathletes turned in very fast times this year, as did those in Kansas and Mooseman, making these the four fastest half Ironman courses.
In-Between. As for the rest, at 6+ hours, they all are proof that there is no such thing as an easy half ironman. Once you're on the course in any of these races, you're going to have the challenge of your lifetime, and the finish will be something to be proud of, forever.
Other Races: There are several additional Ironman 70.3 races, some of which will be added over time, as race results become available.
Notes on Methodology: see notes in our post of Hardest/Easiest Ironman, nearly all apply here.
Ironman Lake Placid Bike Course Splits: Where and Why your MPH Gets Crushed
By Raymond Britt -- Everything you've heard about the bike course -- from our analysis, and from others -- is true. This is what it looks like to ride Ironman Lake Placid's bike course, average mph by age group, section by section. Yes, it's downhill from there, so to speak. Your MPH, that is.
You can ride pretty fast on the first 36 miles of the course, but if you get carried away, as many do, you may be reduced to a crawl for those last 20 miles of the first lap. Not only that, but the effort it takes to cover those 20 miles past Whiteface Mountain saps your energy as you enter miles 57-92. Then, prepare to dig deep for the final 20 miles of what you'll agree is an epic 112 mile Ironman bike course. Better be ready; see our Ironman Lake Placid Bike Course Strategy for advice.
You can ride pretty fast on the first 36 miles of the course, but if you get carried away, as many do, you may be reduced to a crawl for those last 20 miles of the first lap. Not only that, but the effort it takes to cover those 20 miles past Whiteface Mountain saps your energy as you enter miles 57-92. Then, prepare to dig deep for the final 20 miles of what you'll agree is an epic 112 mile Ironman bike course. Better be ready; see our Ironman Lake Placid Bike Course Strategy for advice.
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