With the men's Ironman World Championship in Nice, France, almost here, we take a look at the course they’ll be racing on.
The 2023 event, set to take place on 10 September, is only the second time it won’t be unfolding against the volcanic backdrop of Hawaii, and it’s the first time the men’s and women’s races won’t be taking place as the same event.
While the men will be racing in France in September, the women won’t be racing until 14 October, with their event taking place in Kona.
Ironman confirmed that the following year the two will swap locations, and then they’ll rotate again for the next two years.
The organiser says the changes in venues are down to the desire to have separate race days for men and women, which was proving to be too much for the local community.
With that all settled, let’s take a look at the course for the men’s 2023 Ironman World Championship.
It's largely similar to the long-standing Ironman Nice France event taking place here every summer, but there are some slight tweaks on the bike.
What should you expect from the swim course?
The 3.8km swim takes place in the azure Mediterranean waters of Nice’s Bay of Angels.
Given the pebble-strewn beach, the race will begin with an in-water start. Athletes will then follow a double rectangular course that runs perpendicular to the Promenade and goes as far out as 900m.
The waters here can be calm or rough, depending on the day, so there’s certainly scope for some drama.
What’s the bike course like?
No matter how you feel about the event’s move away from Kona, the one-lap 180.2km bike course is sure to add intrigue.
It begins in T1 on the Promenade des Anglais before making its way straight out of town via the beautiful villages of the Parc Naturel des Préalpes d’Azur.
The course will take them west through the Alpes-Maritimes region, with significant climbs and fantastic views across the Mediterranean Sea a near certainty.
With a total elevation gain of 2,427m, steep climbs aren’t the only challenge competitors will face, with technical descents also part of the route.
The Clues de Gréolières is a fine example. The picturesque canyon road, known for being the backdrop in various movies, is sure to demand constant attention to avoid issues and maximise performance.
What’s the run course like?
Once athletes are safely back in on the Promenade that’s where they’ll stay for the rest of the race, with the four-loop course seeing them run up and down the iconic waterfront setting.
Each loop uses the international airport as its turnaround point, while there’s sure to be crowds of supporting lining the route for much of the way.
With just 100m elevation gain this is a flat course, but how fast athletes go will depend on how much energy they have left after the tough bike.
Adding extra intrigue is that the leaders or chasing pack will be able to keep an eye on the distances thanks to the out-and-back course.
An event to “remember forever”
Speaking about the course, six-time Ironman World Champion and 10-time Nice International Triathlon winner Mark Allen said: “Some of the most impactful and memorable experiences during my racing career took place in Nice, both on and off the course.
“From the powdery blue water of the Mediterranean to what has to be one of the most beautiful and yes challenging bike courses in the world to the run along the Promenade des Anglais, Nice is iconic.
“Then add to that the sparkle and experience every Ironman World Championship event brings to a location, mix in the culture of Southern France and the Côte D’Azure, and well, let me just say it’s going to be an Ironman World Championship event and experience you won’t want to miss. You will cherish it and remember it forever!"
Top image credit: Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images for Ironman
