Ironman Arizona

This race stands out as one of the most urban races in North America.

The race kicks off with a single-loop swim in Tempe Town Lake. The rolling start is just west of the Mill Avenue bridge and begins by heading east. The rectangular course will go just past Rural Road bridge and first turn north and then west all the way back under the Mill Avenue bridges, where another turn south will put athletes on course to head straight back to shore and transition at Tempe Beach Park.

The relatively flat three-loop course heads out of Tempe and zig-zags out to the Beeline Highway, which gradually climbs approximately 10 miles through the Sonoran Desert to the turnaround just before Shea Boulevard. Athletes then return to Tempe Beach Park to start their second and third laps.

The run course is flat and spectator-friendly with a few small rollers, as athletes wind their way around Tempe Town Lake and through Papago Park. Athletes should be sure to pack a visor or hat in their T2 bags, as the course offers very little shade.