IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence
Course breakdown, historical weather, and field analysis.
Provençal charm meets genuine climbing — this one tests you
Aix-en-Provence, France · May 17, 2026
IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence is the thinking athlete's 70.3. A lake swim in the picturesque countryside, a bike course through the rolling hills of Provence with real climbing, and a run through the elegant streets of Aix. This is not a flat-and-fast race — it rewards athletes who can climb, descend, and pace a technical course.
- Swim
- 1.9 km
- Lake
- Bike
- 86.7 km
- ↑1029m · Rolling
- Run
- 21.1 km
- ↑187m · Rolling
- Air Temp
- 7–28°C
- Water Temp
- 17°C
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- S
Swim Course
Lake swim in the Provençal countryside
The swim takes place in a lake in the beautiful Provençal countryside surrounding Aix. Lake conditions provide calm, freshwater swimming without current or swell. Water temperatures in mid-May are typically around 18–21°C — wetsuit-legal and comfortable. The natural setting and clear water make this one of the more pleasant swim starts on the European 70.3 calendar.
- Calm freshwater lake swim — no current or swell
- Wetsuit-legal at 18–21°C
- Scenic Provençal countryside setting
- Single loop with clear buoy navigation
Bike Course
Rolling Provençal roads with genuine climbing
The bike course heads through the rolling hills and vineyards of Provence. This is a course with real climbing — the roads undulate through the countryside with several sustained efforts required. The scenery is quintessentially Provençal: lavender fields, vineyards, and stone villages. The road surfaces are generally good, and the route rewards athletes who can modulate their effort across the varied terrain rather than riding a flat, steady output.
- Rolling Provençal hills with sustained climbing sections
- Scenic vineyard and countryside roads
- Good road surfaces through the region
- Varied terrain rewards smart power management
Run Course
Through the elegant streets of Aix-en-Provence
The run course takes athletes through the charming centre of Aix-en-Provence — one of the most beautiful towns in southern France. The cobblestone streets, fountains, and plane tree-lined boulevards provide a stunning backdrop. The terrain may include some undulation depending on the route through the town. Crowd support in the town centre is enthusiastic — Aix is a sporting town that knows how to cheer.
- Run through one of Provence's most elegant towns
- Tree-lined boulevards provide partial shade
- Enthusiastic French crowd support
- Charming cobblestone sections add character
Race Day Conditions
Warm Provençal spring — dry heat and clear skies
Mid-May in Provence offers warm, dry conditions. Air temperatures range from 12–25°C with low humidity and typically clear skies. The Mistral wind can occasionally blow through the Rhône valley, creating gusty conditions on exposed bike sections. Overall, the conditions are excellent for racing — warm enough for comfort without the extreme heat of high summer in southern France.
Race Field Insights
How the Field Performs
Aggregated from 7,633 finishers (2022–2025)
- Total Starters
- 7,862
- Finishers
- 7,633
- DNF Rate
- 2.7%
- Years of Data
- 2022–2025
- Median Finish
- 5h 42m
Finish Time Distribution
How the Median Finisher Spends Race Day
What Each Pace Looks Like
Fast | Solid | Median | Back of Pack | Slow (P90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim | 30m 52s | 34m 27s | 38m 19s | 42m 24s | 46m 36s |
| Bike | 2h 33m | 2h 44m | 2h 57m | 3h 14m | 3h 31m |
| Run | 1h 29m | 1h 39m | 1h 52m | 2h 07m | 2h 23m |
| Finish | 4h 47m | 5h 12m | 5h 42m | 6h 17m | 6h 51m |
Related reading
Race Day Weather and What It's Really Doing to Your Pacing Plan
Performance starts dropping over 22°C and humidity makes it worse. How heat compounds across the bike and run — and why the bike hides it.
Read postYour Race Plan Isn't Generic — Why Course Intelligence Changes Everything
Same FTP on two different courses produces two completely different races. Elevation, wind, and shelter change what every watt is worth.
Read postPlan IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence with Keiro
Get a complete pacing strategy for every discipline — built from this course, forecast weather, and your fitness.
Independent analysis. KeiroLabs is not the event organizer and is not affiliated with the race organizer.