IRONMAN France Nice
Course breakdown, historical weather, and field analysis.
One of the hardest IRONMAN courses in the world — the full Nice experience
Nice, France · June 28, 2026
IRONMAN France Nice is legendary for its difficulty. A Mediterranean swim, a mountainous bike course through the Alpes-Maritimes with over 2,500m of climbing, and a marathon along the Promenade des Anglais. This hosted the IRONMAN Men's World Championship in 2023-2024 for good reason — it demands the best from every athlete who races it.
- Swim
- 3.8 km
- Ocean
- Bike
- 170.9 km
- ↑2396m · Rolling
- Run
- 42.0 km
- ↑87m · Flat
- Air Temp
- 17–30°C
- Water Temp
- 24°C
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- S
Swim Course
Mediterranean swim in the Baie des Anges
The 3.8 km swim takes place in the Baie des Anges off the Nice Promenade. Open Mediterranean conditions mean potential chop and swell on windy days. Water temperatures in late June are around 20–23°C. The beach start is a Nice triathlon tradition, and the swim along the coastline with the city as a backdrop is unforgettable.
- Open Mediterranean — variable conditions possible
- Beach start on the Nice seafront
- Water temperature at the wetsuit boundary (20–23°C)
- Scenic swim along the Promenade des Anglais
Bike Course
Into the Alpes-Maritimes — 2,500m+ of climbing through the mountains
The 180 km bike course is one of the most demanding in IRONMAN racing. The route heads into the mountains behind Nice, climbing through the cols and gorges of the Alpes-Maritimes. With over 2,500m of total climbing including multiple mountain passes, this is a course for climbers. The descents are fast and technical on narrow mountain roads. Power management on the climbs is crucial — blow up on the bike and the Nice marathon will be very long.
- 2,500m+ total climbing — one of the hardest IRONMAN bike courses
- Multiple Alpine passes and gorges
- Fast, technical descents on narrow mountain roads
- Hosted the Men's IRONMAN World Championship 2023–2024
Run Course
Marathon on the Promenade des Anglais — flat but demanding
The marathon along the Promenade des Anglais is flat, but after the mountainous bike, nothing feels easy. The multi-loop course runs along the seafront with the Mediterranean breeze providing some relief. The Nice crowds create a passionate atmosphere, and the Promenade setting is the finest marathon backdrop in IRONMAN racing. The real challenge is running a marathon on legs destroyed by Alpine climbing.
- Flat Promenade des Anglais — the finest IRONMAN run setting
- Running a marathon on Alpine-destroyed legs is the challenge
- Multi-loop format with regular crowd support
- Mediterranean breeze helps with temperature management
Race Day Conditions
Riviera summer heat — warm in the city, hot in the mountains
Late June in Nice offers warm conditions that intensify in the mountains. Coastal temperatures range from 18–28°C, but inland mountain sections can feel hotter with less breeze. The Mediterranean climate means reliable sunshine and low rainfall risk. Heat management matters, particularly on the exposed mountain climbs.
Race Field Insights
How the Field Performs
Aggregated from 7,223 finishers (2021–2025)
- Total Starters
- 8,261
- Finishers
- 7,223
- DNF Rate
- 12.3%
- Years of Data
- 2021–2025
- Median Finish
- 12h 47m
Finish Time Distribution
How the Median Finisher Spends Race Day
What Each Pace Looks Like
Fast | Solid | Median | Back of Pack | Slow (P90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim | 1h 03m | 1h 08m | 1h 14m | 1h 21m | 1h 29m |
| Bike | 5h 49m | 6h 13m | 6h 45m | 7h 21m | 7h 56m |
| Run | 3h 34m | 3h 55m | 4h 25m | 4h 58m | 5h 27m |
| Finish | 10h 50m | 11h 41m | 12h 47m | 13h 59m | 14h 59m |
Related reading
Race Day Weather and What It's Really Doing to Your Pacing Plan
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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 postWhy Most Triathletes Blow Up on the Run (And It Has Nothing to Do with Running)
The run didn't break because you ran too hard. Swim debt, bike fatigue, and compounding decisions determine your marathon before you start it.
Read postPlan IRONMAN France Nice 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.