IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d'Olonne-Vendée
Course breakdown and historical weather.
Atlantic coast racing in the home of the Vendée Globe
Les Sables-d'Olonne, France · July 5, 2026
IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d'Olonne takes athletes to the Vendée coast — famous worldwide as the start of the Vendée Globe solo sailing race. An Atlantic Ocean swim, a rolling bike through the Vendée countryside, and a coastal run. This is a town that understands endurance sport, and the atmosphere reflects it.
- Swim
- 1.9 km
- Ocean
- Bike
- 93.1 km
- ↑561m · Rolling
- Run
- 21.1 km
- ↑51m · Flat
- Air Temp
- 12–29°C
- Water Temp
- 17°C
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- S
Swim Course
Atlantic swim off Les Sables d'Olonne
The swim takes place in the Atlantic off the Les Sables d'Olonne beach. Atlantic conditions can be more variable than the Mediterranean — expect cooler water and the possibility of swell. Water temperatures in early July are around 17–20°C. The beachfront setting with the town as a backdrop creates a lively swim start.
- Atlantic Ocean swim — variable conditions possible
- Cooler water than Mediterranean events (17–20°C)
- Beachfront start in the Vendée sailing town
- Wetsuit-legal in most conditions
Bike Course
Rolling roads through the Vendée countryside
The bike course heads into the rolling Vendée countryside. The French Atlantic coast hinterland offers a mix of flat coastal sections and gentle inland rolling. The roads are good French tarmac, and the bocage landscape of hedgerows and fields provides some wind shelter. This is a moderately challenging bike course — not flat, not mountainous.
- Rolling Vendée countryside
- Mix of coastal flat and inland rolling terrain
- Good French road surfaces
- Bocage landscape provides some wind shelter
Run Course
Coastal run through Les Sables d'Olonne
The run follows the coast through Les Sables d'Olonne. The terrain is relatively flat along the seafront, and the town's maritime atmosphere pervades the course. The Vendée residents are passionate about their endurance sport heritage, and the crowd support reflects the town's sailing pedigree.
- Coastal running along the Atlantic seafront
- Flat terrain through the town
- Maritime atmosphere in the Vendée Globe town
- Passionate local support
Race Day Conditions
Atlantic coast summer — mild with maritime influence
Early July on the Vendée coast offers mild Atlantic conditions. Air temperatures range from 15–24°C with maritime breezes. The Atlantic influence keeps extreme heat at bay but can bring cloud cover and the possibility of showers. Wind off the ocean is always a possibility.
Related reading
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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 Les Sables d'Olonne-Vendée 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.