Toughest/Hardest vs. Easiest/Fastest Half Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Run Courses

After swimming 1.2 miles and riding a challenging 56 miles, half Ironman triathletes face a grueling 13.1 half marathon run. Which courses are hardest? We analyzed dozens of half ironman races to bring you the answer.

The Philippines Ironman 70.3 run course is far and away the toughest, with an average 13.1 mile split of 2 hours, 40 minutes, followed by Florida at 2:27. The next two toughest run courses, Cancun and Eagleman, are tied at 2:23. China and Racine, round out the top 5 toughest run courses. 

Brazil and Austria's run courses are remarkably faster than any of the others, and Mooseman also stands out as a fast course. One might wonder about how tightly the courses are measured. An average half marathon of 1:47? Just 2+ minutes slower than the world-class triathletes in Clearwater? 

Also see our toughest/easiest half Ironman swim,  bike  and overall finish times analyses. For even more, see our complete analysis of toughest/easiest full Ironman distance races.

Hardest vs. Easiest Half Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Bike Courses

What's the toughest Half Ironman/Ironman 70.3 bike course?  Of the races we  analyzed, it's clearly Ironman 70.3 UK, followed by Branson, South Africa, Japan, and Mooseman

Setting aside the world-class times turned in at the world championship in Clearwater, Brazil, Austria, Pucon, Steelhead, and Florida appear to feature the fastest Ironman 70.3 bike courses.

Also see our toughest/easiest half Ironman swim,  run and overall finish times analyses. For even more, see our complete analysis of toughest/easiest full Ironman distance races.

Boston Marathon 2011: Sold Out

Though unprecedented, in a way it is not surprising that Boston can sell 26,000 entries in little more than 8 hours. Our analysis of the 50 Top Races to Qualify for Boston had 41,000+ qualifying times.

Here's the baa.org press release:

October 18, 2010, BOSTON, Mass. – Registration for the 115th Boston Marathon began at 9:00 a.m. (EST) today, and closed at 5:03 p.m. (EST) The Boston Marathon -- the world's oldest and most prestigious annual marathon -- will take place on Monday, April 18, 2011, Patriots' Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 115 years, this is the fastest period of time in which the field size limit has been reached.

The number of entrants for next year’s race remains as it has been in recent years. In 2010, the race had 26,790 entrants and 22,721 finishers. For the 2010 Boston Marathon, registration filled in just over two months.

Entrants qualify for the Boston Marathon by meeting time standards which correspond to age and gender. The qualifying standards for the 2011 race have been in place since 2003, and must have been met at a marathon certified by USA Track & Field, (the national governing body for the sport) or foreign equivalent. A list of the B.A.A.’s Official Charities for the Boston Marathon is available at www.baa.org.

The registration date for the 2012 Boston Marathon® will be announced after the 2011 race in April. The 116th Running of the Boston Marathon will be on Monday, April 16, 2012.

The B.A.A. has organized the race since the inaugural Boston Marathon in 1897 when the field consisted of 15 entrants and 10 finishers.