Nice, France Course Unveiled for 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship

June 21, 2023

- 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Nice, France course maps now available by visiting HERE - Athletes can start practicing virtually on the Nice terrain by creating a free FulGaz account today - The men’s edition of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship race is taking place in Nice, France on September 10, with the women’s edition taking place in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i on October 14

NICE, Fra. / TAMPA, Fla. (June 21, 2023) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – As preparations continue for the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN^® World Championship triathlon, taking place in two locations for the first time in event history, IRONMAN has today revealed the Nice, France course the men’s field will swim, bike, and run in the Côte d’Azur on September 10. The women will continue building on the Hawaiian roots of IRONMAN World Championship racing in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i on October 14.

As a nod to the immense triathlon history that exists in the European birthplace of long-distance triathlon that is Nice, France, the race will be centered around the “Promenade des Anglais”, Nice’s most famous walkway – and an iconic location which has seen some of triathlon’s elite race to victory, from Paula Newby-Fraser to Mark Allen. Adorned by palm trees and overlooking the azure waters, this is where crowds will gather to watch their athletes dive into the Mediterranean Sea from the “Plage des Ponchettes” and ultimately cross the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship finish line.

Beginning with the Mediterranean Sea swim, athletes will enter transition from the Promenade des Anglais and follow a double rectangular out and back course in the water, before embarking on one of the most iconic bike courses in all of the triathlon world. Technical and challenging but rewarding in its beauty, athletes will take in the rooftop villages of Vence, Gourdon and Tourettes-sur-Loup on the ascent, before they cruise down the “Route de Thorenc” and through the “Clues de Gréolières” on the descent, famous for its stunning feature film backdrop scenery.

The flat four lap run course will take runners up and down the glitzy Promenade des Anglais, giving them the opportunity to soak up the Mediterranean Sea and infamous Chaises Bleues (blue chairs) on one side, and the luxury hotels and casinos on the other, while gaining encouragement by the crowds gathered at multiple spectator friendly points.

Further details of the course are below and can be found here.

ROKA SWIM COURSE:

The ROKA SWIM in Nice’s ‘Baie des Anges’ or ‘Bay of Angels’ is a 3.8km (2.4 mile) open water swim through blue Mediterranean waters. Athletes will enter the water from the pebble beach at “Plage des Ponchettes”, just off the Promenade des Anglais, for an in water start and will follow a double rectangular course perpendicular to the Promenade. The swim is known for its clear, azure waters and swimmers will spot stunning views of the coastline and Alpes Maritimes in the background.

FULGAZ BIKE COURSE:

The FulGaz™ BIKE course in Nice is a one-loop 180.2km (112 mile) bike course that is arguably one of the most spectacular and challenging out of all of IRONMAN races. Starting from T1 at the Promenade des Anglais, the course makes its way directly out of town and up through the hinterland of Nice via the beautiful villages of the Parc Naturel des Préalpes d’Azur. On the way up, athletes will enjoy the Alpes-Maritimes region, offering picturesque views of the Mediterranean Sea. The downhill is steep, requiring strict concentration as athletes navigate down the scenic canyon road, Clues de Gréolières, a famous movie backdrop. While there will be stunning coastline, and charming villages, this course will feature challenging climbs and technical descents with elevation gains of up to 2400 metres.

Athletes can start practicing virtually on the Nice hinterland terrain by creating a free trial account with FulGaz today.

HOKA RUN COURSE:

Get ready for a run lined with spectators from start to finish as the HOKA RUN course spans end-to-end of the iconic Promenade des Anglais. This four loop, 42.2km (26.2 miles) path to the finish will take runners alongside the famous beach clubs, the Chaises Bleues (blue chairs), and the monumental Negresco Hotel – all with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop, before U-turning at the Nice International Airport. With each loop, competitors will experience the energy of the crowd as they tackle the flat, fast course, and push their limits towards the ultimate finish line.

Over the years Nice and the Côte d’Azur have staked a claim as a major sporting destination, hosting many sports events of a global scale. As the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes on the French Riviera in the southeast coast of France, Nice became the birthplace of long-distance triathlon in Europe in 1982 when it first hosted the “Triathlon International de Nice”. From 1994-2002, Nice was host to the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships five times. The triathlon became an IRONMAN^® event in 2005 and Nice has been one of the most popular locations on the IRONMAN race circuit, hosting both the IRONMAN France races, IRONMAN 70.3^® Nice France races, as well as hosting the pinnacle event in the IRONMAN 70.3 Series, the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in 2019.

What they are saying about the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship – Nice course:

Diana Bertsch, Senior Vice President, World Championship Events, IRONMAN, commented: “An IRONMAN World Championship course is one which will deliver an unrivalled experience for our athletes, allowing them to soak up the culture of the host city, while also joining a part of triathlon history. Having visited Nice many times over the past year and having the city as the host for the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon, I can certainly say we are tremendously excited for athletes to experience this course for themselves.”

Yves Cordier, Race Director for VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, commented: “Preparations are in full swing as we look forward to welcoming professional triathletes and age-groupers from all over the world to our city in just under three months. Athletes will enjoy the amazing sceneries from the legendary “Baie des Anges”, the Promenade des Anglais and the Nice hinterland. Having raced in Nice multiple times myself, this course really has a ‘je ne sais quoi’ quality, and athletes will have to experience it themselves to realize how truly special it is.

Mark Allen, Six-time IRONMAN World Champion and 10-time winner of the Nice International Triathlon, 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!”

For more information about the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship event, please visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.

To learn more about the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 brands and series of events, please visit www.ironman.com.

Media inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.

###

About the IRONMAN World Championship

Since its inception in 1978 on the Island of O`ahu, the IRONMAN World Championship has etched its name in history through stellar performances, inspirational participants and emotional memories. In 1981, the race moved from the tranquil shores of Waikīkī to the barren lava fields of Kona on the Island of Hawai`i. The most iconic one-day sporting event in the world is the culmination of 40 global IRONMAN events with over 94,000 athletes around the world striving for one of the coveted qualifying slots. The 2021 edition of the event took place in St. George, Utah in May 2022, becoming the first location to host the event outside of Hawai`i since its origins in 1978. After a two-year hiatus from Hawai`i due to COVID, the race returned to Kailua-Kona and for the first time took place as a two-day event in October. The 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship will see the event take place in two different host locations and dates to allow for a dedicated world championship race for women and dedicated world championship race for men. With independent days of racing, the cumulative IRONMAN World Championship will host approximately 5,000 athletes as they embark on a 140.6-mile journey that presents the ultimate test of body, mind, and spirit to earn the title of IRONMAN World Champion. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events including Haute Route^®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance 

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.