Race Reviews: Ironman 70.3 Marbella

Ironman 70.3 Marbella course review - what is it like?

General

Ironman 70.3 Marbella is a great race in a well-known travel destination. and breath of fresh air in a course in the Finnish wilderness.

• T1 + T2 are in the same location, always a bonus!

• Disc wheels not allowed because descents are fast, and can be windy

• Long bike climbs

• Everything is by Puerto Banus, the well known beach and holiday destination so the surroundings are buzzy, the water is good and beaches are nice

• Run is flat but takes some mental preparation as a lot of the surface underfoot is solid beachside path but can be sandy

As Marbella is the race for the 2025 Championshiop ( qualified but got injured for) I will specify where the course differs. Please check the official site here: https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-world-championship-2025/course

Climate

The race happens at the end of the year, climate is likely to be warm and humid but with that dry feel that being besides the beach and sand can bring.

The World Championship 2025 is in November, the weather therefore will be one of the main differences to the usual race.

What is the Ironman 70.3 Marbella SWIM course like?

You start off on the beach and dive into the mediterranean.

There is no dangerous wildlife to be worried about at all.

The temperature is likely to be in the late teens Celsius in May when it usually takes place.

The swim is in great water, it is the mediterranean so as always it can definitely be affected by strong winds, waves and tide.

The route has 5 buoys to go around and the first 3 are quite difficult to sight because there is not much to lock your eyes onto except for water so tip would be to memorise the shape of the course. And also the colour of the buoys as they featured more on varying straights in Marbella to what I am used to.

The third turn is the most crucial to do a good sight and ensure you are headed in the right direction because that is the longest part and you don't want to go off course out to sea. Once you turn the 2nd final buoy you are not home but you can see land so it can give you a false sense and do not push too early. You still have 340m to that final buoy and then 200m to shore so my recommendation would be to hold that last effort until you round the final buoy.

If you're a good ocean swimmer and surfer then there is the possibility here to time and ride the waves well.

T1

The swim exit is easy, flat and not too long.

T1 is straight forward, literally. You continue out from the ocean across the beach, watch out for the stones on your immediate exit. As you pick up your bag and sort yourself out, continue in the same direction to get your bike and there aren't many racks, but they are LONG so you get your bike and keep running in the same direction.

As they are long, running with your bike could therefore be potentially quite long depending on where you are racked.

The ground underfoot is road tarmac but carpeted.

What is the Ironman 70.3 Marbella BIKE course like?

1400m Elevation

The bike is a 1 lap course that takes you from the town of Marbella and heads into the Spanish hills.

The first 9km are relatively flat on smooth tarmac and you can pick up some early pace and momentum. There is nothing significant to handle and you can mentally get yourself ready, sort your kit out and without turns or gradient changes you can manage a warm-up of your power - something that is often quite rare.

The first 4-5km are dead straight and flat and then you'll wind ever so slightly towards the first climb that starts around 9km with a very obvious turn left and you can start to see the sort of thing that lies ahead.

The first climb is about 10km long or 5 miles. For the World Championship 2025 the second half is different from normal with a little extra elevation vs. the normal route, which is the route you'll ride in reverse on the way back to town.

This is a climb that on a long training ride would be really enjoyable, it's very scenic and the gradient does not change too much. So like any ride you can settle into a good pace however it is definitely long enough that you do not want to go off too hard but it isn't that steep so I believe it is worth going a fair percentage over your average race power here.

The roads are very wide, which is good for descending on the way back.

I won't comment on the part I don't know for the World Championship 2025.

As you reach the top of this climb, it is not going down but rather stays undulating along a plateau high in the Spanish hills for the next 7km, you then do a have a punchy but short climb. My advice would be to not smash this as you have another c.7km that is not challenging but is still going up in general.

When you reach the top of this part, about 18 miles or 29km in then you are 1/3 down and can look forward to a a middle section that is fast, flat, fast and then you climb back up what you've done.

There is not an awful lot to say here except be careful - the roads are straight, very wide and unchallenging. I am a light athlete and not confident descender and I hit over 80kmph on these descents. So as ever don't feel afraid to go for it but avoid unnecessary risks, do not change your line of direction quickly as people could be coming past you quick and any change of direction with the incoming wind speed is risky. These sorts of descents and the potential of wind from the ocean into the hills is why disc wheels are typically not allowed at Marbella.

You have two turn around points that obviously slow you but actually in Marbella because the roads have been so straight before these switchbacks then these actually provide you with a good moment to take in some hydration and nutrition as everyone slows down.

At around 55km is when you start very obviously climbing back. And you're on the other side of the road you've come travelled already. There is one steeper climb that is relatively short and is a bit of a rude awakening, I remember exchanging words with GBR pro woman Nikki Bartlett as I climbed past her but then she overtook me back on the long descent. The 'second' climb but it kind of all feels the same is long, like 20km long, it is quite a manageable gradient but at this point your legs are starting to tire, it's worth remembering however that once you crest this at around 75km you are going to be descending or flat all the way home.

That descent is really good, it's not too challenging with the super wide roads and not very severe corners or switchbacks. It's certainly one to make up the time you feel you have lost from all the climbing.

T2

The dismount line is just off the exit of the roundabout so when you see that coming dismount before it's too late. This is the closest I've come to going arse over tit and crashing when dismounting.

Back to the same transition, racking your bike in the same place and run back towards the beach - but it's not cocktail time yet.

What is the Ironman 70.3 Marbella RUN course like?

The run is flat but takes some mental preparation as a lot of the surface underfoot is solid but can be covered in thin layers of sand that give that annoying uncertainty to some foot placements and will sap your pace slightly.

The World Championship 2025 course looks to be more fun, slightly less flat but it's the same except it goes into town to loop back instead of go straight back the other way. The main benefit will be getting off of the sand.

So in terms of one part I can comment on I would say four things:

• As fairly normal, but not always, there is an aid station right outside T2 so good chance to grab some fuel and hydration straight away rather than stress during T2.

• Running around Puerto Banus harbour, out and around a small lighthouse is awesome. Remember you will go around it again so don't get too excited and go off too quick (like I did in this race)

  

• The long straight up the beach goes on for longer than you expect....so expect that.

• There is a small wooden bridge you cross to get from the harbour and T1 area to the long path along the beach. It is a little steep and will disrupt your flow so prepare for that. With some wobbly legs I almost fell over coming down.

The Finish line is good with the hills you've conquered in the background, the beach and lots of supporters or curious tourists. Try to look in less pain than I did.