"Cold-water ocean swim and rolling bike course in the rugged beauty of St George."
🏊 Swim
Ocean swim in St George
🚴 Bike
Rolling bike course around St George
🏃 Run
Run through St George
Transition Details
T1/T2 are in the same location · Surface: pavement
Weather
Typical conditions in St George
Registration
https://www.example.com/st-george-triathlon-70-3
The Story
Seventy point three miles through St George. That's 1.9km in the water, 90km on the bike, and a half-marathon to finish — the world's most popular triathlon distance, in a city that earns the right to host it. The 1.9km swim sends you into cold open ocean at 14°C — bracing — the kind of cold that sharpens focus. It's long enough that a poor start costs real time, short enough that strong swimmers can build a genuine lead. The 90km bike is the centrepiece: rolling with some honest climbs terrain with 356m of climbing that never lets you settle. At 70.3 distance, the bike is where races are won and lost — 90km of rolling road demands constant effort management. Off the bike, a flat 21.1km run through St George. It sounds simple. After 90km in the saddle, nothing about a half-marathon is simple. Start conservative and build — that's the 70.3 formula. It's a full race at 70.3 miles — and this course makes you earn every one of them.
"People think 70.3 is half an Ironman. Race one in St George and tell me it feels like half of anything."
What It Feels Like
A half-iron course in St George that suits a broad range of 70.3 athletes — the course is honest enough to challenge veterans and achievable enough for well-prepared first-timers. The city's red-rock desert intensity extends to the race itself. Recovery is part of the experience: a recovery shake and a sunset.
🏊 The Swim
A 1.9km ocean swim in cold saltwater at 14°C — long enough that sighting discipline and stroke efficiency matter more than raw speed. Ocean swell can push you off-line; sight every 8-10 strokes. The salt buoyancy helps body position but stings the eyes. Exit through the surf and run to T1.
🚴 The Bike
90km of rolling terrain with 356m of climbing — the course signature. The rises are frequent enough to break any rhythm you try to establish. Over 90km, the cumulative elevation demands constant gear management and power discipline. Don't chase speed on the descents; recover there instead. This bike rewards riders who think in power, not pace.
🏃 The Run
A flat 21.1km through St George. After 90km of cycling, even flat ground feels earned. The half-marathon off the bike is the true 70.3 differentiator — the athletes who paced the bike correctly run through the field in the final 10km. Start at your 70.3 run pace, not your open half-marathon pace. In warm conditions averaging 21°C, aid-station management becomes as important as leg speed.
💡 Insider Tips
- → Water temperature averages 14°C — that's cold for a 1.9km swim. Train in cold open water regularly in the weeks before. Your first 400m set the tone: if you can settle into rhythm through the cold shock, you'll swim well. A neoprene cap makes a measurable difference.
- → There's a 40% chance of rain on race day. On a 90km bike, wet roads are a real risk — reduce cornering speed, avoid painted road markings, and use clear-lens glasses. Pack a thin rain gilet that fits in your back pocket.
- → Ocean conditions can shift between recon and race morning. For 1.9km in open ocean, sight every 8-10 strokes — swell can push you hundreds of metres off course without you feeling it. Practice dolphin-diving through shore break and body-surfing back to shore.
Prepare for This Race
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FAQ
What distance is the St George Triathlon 70.3? +
The St George Triathlon 70.3 is a Half Ironman / 70.3 distance triathlon: 1900m swim, 90km bike, and 21.1km run (113km total) in St George, United States.
When is the St George Triathlon 70.3? +
Typically held in September on a Saturday.
Water temperature and wetsuit rules? +
Ocean water at 14°C average. Wetsuit rules are conditional.
How hilly is the bike course? +
356m of climbing over 90km. Profile: rolling. Drafting not allowed.
What's the weather like on race day? +
undefined–undefined°C, 55% humidity, 40% rain chance, 14 km/h winds.
Average finish time? +
Approximately 5h 30m. Varies with conditions and athlete experience.
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