Course Review: Ironman 70.3 Geelong - Victoria's Premier 70.3 Triathlon

When selecting your ideal half-Ironman 70.3 race, it's worth considering the Ironman 70.3 Geelong, Victoria, Australia, known for its scenic yet challenging course.

Geelong is an honest course with the faster times belying its sting in the tail.

Course Overview

• Swim: This open water ocean swim is in fairly protected waters thanks to Geelong being nestled in the side of Port Phillip Bay. Thanks to the calm seas, the course starts with an 800m swim straight out to sea. Thankfully the straight is long enough to separate some of the field, and the first turnaround shouldn’t be too congested. You’ll take a sharp right turn and need to keep your sights on the buoys to prevent you swimming out to sea!
• Bike: Cyclists who train on gruelling hills will love this 90 km course, it’s fairly flat with a few small climbs and elevation difference of only 70m. After T1, it starts to get tricky. “The first part in the gardens is the only technical part of the course. Once you get out on the main road you can put good power down and get into it. After around 20km there’s a short climb. It’s a simple turnaround and you’ll travel back along the main road towards the gardens, where you’ve got to be concentrating.

• Run: Geelong 70.3 run course is a 2.5 lap course, which means you’ll run past the finish line twice before you actually get to cross it! This can be pretty tough on the mind when you’re tired, but if you know it’s coming, it definitely helps. You’ll start the 21.1km run at the beachside transition, and head along the beach until the turn around at Rippleside Park after just 3km. This late in the race, it’s unlikely you’ll have to get the elbows out to battle through a congested turnaround, and it’s quite a wide area giving you plenty of room, unlike the turnarounds of the bike course. The course is very beautiful, and while it’s slightly frustrating to have to repeat your journey more than once, it means you’ll enjoy plenty of spectator support along the way.

This race is an excellent choice for athletes looking for a race with a balance of scenic beauty and challenging terrain. Its fast course history, combined with the potential for varied swim conditions and a hilly bike and run, makes it a race that can cater to a variety of strengths and preferences. When considering your Half-Ironman 70.3 race options, this event should definitely be on your radar, especially if you're looking for a memorable experience along the sunny Victorian coastline.