IRONMAN 70.3 St George 2026: North American Championship Preview, Course Guide and How to Watch
Race Overview
IRONMAN 70.3 St George 2026 — the North American Championship — takes place on Saturday, May 10, 2026, in Saint George, Utah. Set against the red-rock backdrop of the American Southwest, it is one of the most visually spectacular and physically demanding half-distance races on the calendar. The altitude, heat, technical bike course and exposed run make it a true test of all-round triathlon fitness.
Course Guide
- Swim (1.9km): Sand Hollow Reservoir, a calm freshwater lake at 900m altitude. The clarity of the water and warmth of the desert sun make for a beautiful start — but the altitude affects breathing from the opening stroke.
- Bike (90km): A demanding mix of rolling terrain through Utah’s canyon country. Climbs are significant and the technical descents demand confident bike handling. Wind exposure on the plateau sections can dramatically affect pacing.
- Run (21.1km): Two loops through downtown St George in the desert heat. The run starts after the long bike in rising temperatures and significant cumulative climbing — athletes who misjudge their effort on the bike often suffer here.
Pro Athletes to Watch
St George regularly attracts a world-class pro field drawn by the North American Championship title and the prestige of the course. Lionel Sanders, fresh from his dominant win at IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas, is among the expected names for 2026. Sam Long, Matt Hanson, Skye Moench and Rach McBride have all historically performed well at altitude and on punishing terrain — this type of course suits power-to-weight specialists over pure speed merchants.
Race Details
- Date: Saturday, May 10, 2026
- Location: Saint George, Utah, USA
- Swim: Sand Hollow Reservoir (freshwater, 900m altitude)
- Distance: 70.3 miles (1.9km swim / 90km bike / 21.1km run)
- Championship Title: North American Championship
- How to Follow: Live tracking via IRONMAN.com and the IRONMAN Now app
Tips for Age-Group Athletes Racing St George
- Altitude acclimatisation: Arrive at least 48 hours early. Reduced oxygen affects effort from the swim onwards — start conservatively.
- Hydration strategy: The dry Utah heat accelerates sweat loss even when you don’t feel it. Drink to a schedule, not to thirst.
- Bike pacing: The temptation to push hard on the early climbs is significant. Resist it — the back half of the bike and the run will punish any early excess.
- Sun protection: Apply SPF 50 liberally. UV radiation is significantly stronger at altitude and in the desert environment.
