Ironman Arizona, which is held in the beautiful city of Tempe, is a unique event that offers a combination of vibrant urban energy, scenic desert vistas, and a fast course for athletes seeking speed. Recognized as the “Valley of the PR,” Ironman Arizona is where some of the fastest Ironman times are posted.
The first Ironman Arizona was held on April 9, 2005, in cooperation with the City of Tempe and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. Nowadays, this iconic Ironman race is held in November, with Nov 19, 2023, being the next approaching race date.
Ironman Chattanooga at a Glance
| When | November 19, 2023 |
| Swim | 2.4-Mile Single-Loop Lake Swim |
| Bike | 112-Mile Rolling Out-and-Back; 3 Laps |
| Run | 26.2-Mile Rolling Run; 2 Laps |
| Qualifying Slots | IRONMAN World Championship |
| More Info | IRONMAN.com | Facebook |
Ironman Arizona Course Recon
With gradual rollers and flat straight-aways, the Ironman Arizona course is designed to be fast, allowing athletes to push their limits and reach toward their personal records. It makes for an attractive race for those seeking to test their performance or secure a qualifying slot into the following year’s IRONMAN World Championship.
Swim
The Ironman Arizona swim is a 2.4-mile self-seeded time trial start that takes place in Tempe Town Lake. The narrow lake creates a more crowded and chaotic swim start where positioning and drafting come into play. But the swim course takes athletes close along the shore, allowing them to feed off the energy of the cheering spectators.
The Ironman Arizona swim course is a single-loop route, and athletes will have 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete the swim, regardless of what time they enter the water. The expected water temperature is in the low 60s, so it’s a race that often encourages the use of wetsuits.
Bike
The Ironman Arizona bike course is a 112-mile route that is known for its PR-friendly and scenic nature. The total elevation gain on the bike course is about 2,500 feet, making it a relatively flat and fast route.
The course is a three-loop, out-and-back route that first zigzags through Tempe and then makes its way toward Mesa and the Beeline Highway. Athletes will ride on the iconic Beeline Highway, which offers beautiful views and is a false flat with a forgiving gradient that stays under 5% for the entire course.
There are only four turns on the entire course, three straightforward 90-degree turns, and one U-turn, each done several times for the three out-and-back loops. The Ironman Arizona bike course has yielded some of the fastest Ironman bike times on record, thanks to its fast return trip on the Beeline Highway.
Run
The Ironman Arizona run is a 26.2-mile, three-loop course that takes place mostly along Tempe Town Lake, offering a spectator-friendly experience. The run course is relatively flat with a few rolling hills (only about 350 feet of total elevation gain), making it a great opportunity for athletes to push their limits and achieve fast times.
Triathletes will cross the Tempe Town Lake a few times during each loop, providing a scenic and engaging experience. Aid stations will be available approximately every mile on the run course, offering hydration and nutrition support.
Have You Done Ironman Arizona?
We will soon be incorporating short race reports to this page in an effort to help newcomers prepare for Ironman Arizona.
If you have previously raced Ironman Arizona and would like to share your experience, send us a message summarizing your race.