What is the water temperature at Tempe Triathlon 70.3 and can I wear a wetsuit?

The swim takes place in lake water with an average temperature of 17°C during race month. Wetsuits are conditional — typically depends on race-day water temperature.

How hilly is the Tempe Triathlon 70.3 bike course?

The 90km bike course has 712m of elevation gain and is classified as hilly. The course is loop on road surface. Drafting is not allowed.

What is the weather like on race day at Tempe Triathlon 70.3?

Expect temperatures between undefined°C and undefined°C (average 19°C) with 47% humidity. There is a 26% chance of rain and average wind speeds of 9 km/h. Typical conditions in Tempe

How big is the Tempe Triathlon 70.3 and when was it first held?

The Tempe Triathlon 70.3 was established in 2015 (11 years ago) and has approximately 2,142 finishers per edition.

What is the average finish time for Tempe Triathlon 70.3?

The average finish time is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. This can vary based on weather conditions, course difficulty, and athlete experience level.

What are the swim conditions like at Tempe Triathlon 70.3?

The 1900m swim is in lake water with calm conditions. The format is open-water. Lake swim in Tempe

Tempe Triathlon 70.3 — Guide, Training Plan & Tips

Average Finish Time 05:30:00

Total Finishers 2,142

Temperature 19°C

Water Temperature 17°C

Bike Elevation ↑712m

Established 2015

"Lake swim and mountain bike in Tempe, United States."

🏊 Swim

Distance 1900m

Water lake (open-water)

Water Temp 17°C

Wetsuit conditional

Lake swim in Tempe

🚴 Bike

Distance 90km

Elevation ↑712m

Profile hilly

Drafting Non-drafting

Hilly bike course around Tempe

🏃 Run

Distance 21.1km

Elevation ↑106m

Surface road

Topology out-and-back

Run through Tempe

Transition Details

T1 — Swim → Bike

T2 — Bike → Run

T1/T2 are in the same location · Surface: pavement

Weather

Air Temp 19°C

Humidity 47%

Rain Chance 26%

Wind 9 km/h

Typical conditions in Tempe

Registration

Registration Opens Invalid Date

Entry Cost €434

Time Limit 8.5h

https://www.example.com/tempe-triathlon-70-3

The Story

The half-iron distance asks a particular question: can you hold race pace for five-plus hours across three disciplines? In Tempe, the course adds its own follow-up questions. The 1.9km swim sends you into cool still lake waters at 17°C — cool enough to want a wetsuit, warm enough to swim without panic. 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 defining leg: 712m of elevation gain across a seriously hilly course that separates those who trained for this specific distance from those who just showed up fit. Ninety kilometres of climbing changes the race equation entirely. The 21.1km run rolls through Tempe, adding 106m of climbing to legs already tested by the bike. The undulations are psychological as much as physical — each rise feels larger than it is when you've been racing for four hours. A half-iron course that doesn't apologise for its difficulty — and neither should you for choosing it.

"70.3 is the distance where nutrition, pacing, and course knowledge matter as much as fitness. Tempe teaches you all three."

Age-group podium finisher — Post-race, Tempe Triathlon 70.3

What It Feels Like

A 70.3 that reflects Tempe: desert heat on a Tempe Town Lake course. It suits experienced 70.3 athletes who want a course that fights back. This isn't a PB course — it's a character-building one. Race it once and you'll understand why 70.3 is the distance athletes come back to, year after year.

🏊 The Swim

A 1.9km freshwater lake swim at 17°C. No salt, no currents, no tide — just you and 1,900 metres of open water. Lake swims reward smooth bilateral breathing and consistent sighting. Cool enough to want a wetsuit, warm enough to swim without panic. The calm surface makes drafting easier to find and hold.

🚴 The Bike

90km with 712m of climbing — a seriously hilly bike course that makes the 90km the race's decisive leg. Power-to-weight matters more than pure wattage. The climbs test your legs; the descents test your nerve. Come with a compact crankset, climbing legs, and the discipline to save something for 21.1km of running.

🏃 The Run

A 21.1km rolling run through Tempe with 106m of gain. The undulations feel disproportionate on legs that have just covered 90km of bike. Keep cadence quick on the ups, use the downs to stretch your stride, and run the tangents. In mild 19°C conditions, each hill amplifies the heat cost. Walk an aid station if you need to — it costs 15 seconds and gains you proper hydration.

💡 Insider Tips

→ At 17°C, the water is cool enough to tighten your breathing on entry. Practice cold-water starts in training — jump in and swim 200m hard, then settle. The 1.9km swim is long enough that early panic costs minutes, not seconds.
→ The bike packs 712m of climbing over 90km — that's a real day in the saddle. Keep cadence above 80rpm on the climbs and resist the urge to hammer. Every watt you spend above threshold on the bike comes out of your half-marathon. A compact crankset with a 28+ cassette is non-negotiable.
→ Nutrition is the fourth discipline at 70.3 distance. Practice your race-day fuelling in training until it's automatic. Target 60-80g of carbs per hour on the bike (gels, drink mix, or both), and carry at least one gel for the run. Under-fuelling a 90km bike destroys a half-marathon.