Rapperswil-Jona is one of the most ideal locations imaginable for all IRONMAN 70.3 athletes and spectators, thanks to the glorious lakeside scenery with the stunning mountains off in the distance. Plan your trip, whether you're participating or spectating, and get ready for an outstanding experience!

An utterly picturesque IRONMAN racecourse

IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland is a race like no other in the stunning city of Rapperswil-Jona in Canton St. Gallen, on the upper end of Lake Zurich. Athletes begin with a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Obersee, before taking on a hilly bike course that provides unbelievable vistas of the surrounding landscape.

Then, the running part of the course brings athletes around the medieval town, along the lakeside, and up the famed "stairway to heaven" -and on to the finish line. It's a memorable experience for athletes and spectators alike, and the side events prove fun and entertaining.

While in Rapperswil-Jona, why not indulge in some tourism? This medieval town is skirted by the lake, and a striking castle towers above the town. The castle perched on the hill offers a panoramic view from the Glarus Alps all the way to the Zurich Oberland. The medieval old town is mostly pedestrianised and is a protected historic monument with a lake promenade - this makes the town particularly suitable for families.

IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland race sections

Here are the different sections of the race:

Swimming in the crystal clear Obersee

Athletes begin the race with a swim in the pristine waters of Obersee Lake, which is the smaller of the two parts of Lake Zurich.

Cycling in a hilly terrain

Athletes tackle a cycling course with impressive elevation, with many hills and incredible views.

A city run that includes the "Stairway to Heaven"

The athletes run through the town of Rapperswil-Jona, which includes the iconic climb up a set of centuries-old stone steps.

Ways you can watch the IRONMAN 70.3 as a spectator

Here's how you can watch the IRONMAN 70.3 as a spectator:

Watching as a spectator in person

Take your place along the racecourse! The swim begins at the pier at the lido. The finish line is located at Walter-Denzler-Strasse, near the ice hockey stadium, the SGKB Arena. This is also where the special purpose-built area called the IRONMAN Village is located, and where you can find merchandise, the IRONMAN Expo, a fan corner and, of course, food and drinks. This is also where the awards ceremony takes place.

In addition to watching the race, you can keep track digitally, which you can find out about on the IRONMAN website. Follow the race with the following features:

Live web tracker

View times and stay in touch with the current pace within seconds of a participant crossing each split point. Estimated times are provided based on current pace.

Live leaderboard

Find out who is winning via the live leaderboard. Top runners in each category are displayed in real-time as they take the lead in the race.

Live map tracking

Athlete locations are found on the interactive course map as they make progress in the race. The position of each participant is estimated based on the most recent timing received from the bib read. 

Real-time notifications

Receive automatic location notifications as athletes make progress in the race. The times of the participant you are tracking can be added to your phone or posted to your X (Twitter) feed, so you can let friends and family in on your excitement.

It's useful to know that times and results posted during the race are unofficial. Official results are posted to the website upon completion and official verification of the event.

About the IRONMAN 70.3

IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon Series is the world’s premier half-distance triathlon series. It involves a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike, and a 13.1-mile run, completed in succession. In total, the race covers a total of 70.3 miles, and that's why it's known as the IRONMAN 70.3.

The race consists of over 150 qualifying races in 50+ countries, regions and territories across the world. Each series culminates in its respective world championship event: While the IRONMAN World Championship is held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i  and Nice, France, the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship rotates globally on an annual basis. 

Training for an IRONMAN 70.3 requires both determination and a structured approach to reach the finish line feeling strong. Although the race is half the distance of an IRONMAN, the preparation is just as crucial. 

Getting to IRONMAN 70.3 in Rapperswil-Jona

Rapperswil-Jona is easily accessible by public transport a private car or within walking distance. From the airport in Zurich, it takes 45 minutes to Rapperswil-Jona, whether you take public transport or are planning on driving.