The 1.2-mile, one-loop swim begins at the Prince of Wales Dock and bends back on itself before athletes swim around the outside and exit where they started. Supporters will be able to line the majority of the swim course to cheer their athletes on.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea bike course sets off from East Burrows Car Park, long Cambrian Place and on to the A4067. This road will take athletes along the curve of Swansea Bay, past Mumbles Beach and the Pier, before athletes turn back right on themselves and into Gower. The scenic route weaves along the country roads and through pretty villages, passing spectators hot spots and two aid stations at mile 18 and 22/44. The route then takes the B4436 back onto the A4067, along the bay, into the city and back into East Burrows Car Park where Transition will be.
From Transition, the run course is a simple out and back twice along the beautiful Swansea Bay.
Athletes will pass two spectator hotspots, the Tri Club Village, three aid stations and Red Bull, before taking on the last lap. The only change on the second lap is that athletes will continue along Oystermouth Road and into Museum Gardens, where they will run down the red carpet and complete IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea.
A number of car parks are available throughout the city – you can find more information and locations online here. When planning your trip, please be aware of the planned road closures that will be in place, and that traffic and the city centre will be busy on the day!
THE WOODMAN PUB, MUMBLES
There will be support here, on Swansea Bay, at the 3.2 mile point on the outward leg and 53 mile point on the return leg of the bike. If you want to stay close to the town centre, this will be the last chance to wish your athletes well before they head into Gower and the first chance you’ll get to cheer them on once they return.
ACCESS
Getting to The Woodman Pub is fairly straight forward – the closest you’ll be able to get is Sketty Lane where you can park and then walk the 20 minutes around the Bay to the pub. During your walk to The Woodman, you’ll firstly come across the Red Bull Activation where athletes will be stopping to grab a can. If you continue your walk down the Bay, you’ll be able to take in both the bike course and run course so The Woodman pub and your journey there is a prime spectator viewing spot.
BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT, OXWICH
If you fancy exploring Oxwich, the next hotspot will be at mile 17.5. Athletes will only pass this location once but it’s a great opportunity to visit Beach House Restaurant and sample some of their delicious food whilst waiting for your athlete to finish.
ACCESS
Access to Beach House Restaurant is a little more difficult but the drive will give you beautiful views of Gower – especially over to Three Cliffs Bay. To get here, you’ll need to either travel early and beat the 7am road closures or take a scenic drive around the West of Gower, through Llanddewi. This part of the course sees some technical descents and is the furthest athletes will be from Swansea and the rest of the action so, a great opportunity to support them and explore what Gower has to offer.
THREE CLIFFS COFFEE SHOP, SOUTHGATE
If you’re already in the Pennard/Southgate area, miles 12-13 see a down and back so the chance to see your athlete twice in quick succession. With entertainment here and also the chance to grab a snack to keep you going, it’s expected to be a great new hotspot.
ACCESS
Access to Three Cliffs Coffee Shop is a little more difficult as the road closures come in to place from 7:15 which will then cut this section off until 10:45. So, to get here, you’ll need to travel early and beat the road closures!
KING ARTHUR HOTEL, REYNOLDSTON HOTSPOT
Mile 21 sees Reynoldston which sits in the middle of Gower and the King Arthur Hotel is just a minute’s walk away. This is an easy place to get to with no road closures so you can get back to Swansea to catch up with your athlete on the run.
ACCESS
Athletes will pass through Reynoldston once but being in the middle of Gower, you are in walking distance to Cillibion which they pass twice. Reynoldston can be accessed via the north Gower road, through Llanrhidian and Oldwalls – access is available all day in and out.
EASTERN FARM SHOP, OLDWALLS HOTSPOT
The Eastern Farm Shop in Oldwalls has been a supporter of IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea since the race was announced and although the course doesn’t pass them directly this year, they are just a 15 minute walk from where the course loops at mile 24 and again at mile 40 – so this is a great place to grab a coffee whilst waiting for the second lap.
ACCESS
There are no road closures that will affect Eastern Farm Shop as this road will remain open so you can take the B4295 all the way there – just consider that this journey may be busier than expected as the B4295 is the only access road into Gower that day.
SHEPHERDS OF GOWER/GOWER HERITAGE CENTRE HOTSPOT
Both of these businesses are situated next to each other at mile 16 and 34 so gives lots of options for you to spend your time whilst waiting for your athlete. Situated on the lap section, you’ll be able to see your athlete twice and with parking outside, you have space to set up chairs and get comfy.
ACCESS
Access for this is a little trickier as you’ll only be able to access this outside of 7:00 – 12:30 so be sure to get there before road closures come into place.
THE SECRET BEACH BAR AND KITCHEN HOTSPOT
This will be a great supporter base for the day and full of entertainment. This location offers the best opportunities for you to see your athlete as they’ll pass you on the bike twice and on the run four times. You’ll also get a chance to enjoy the Bay in all its glory.
ACCESS
As Oystermouth Road is closed, you will need to walk from the city, down the Bay which takes around 30 minutes but it’s a great supporter hotspot, and you’ll get the chance to grab something to eat as you watch your athlete pass you six times.
BLACKPILL LIDO / THE TRI CLUB HOTSPOT
The Blackpill Lido is situated at miles 4.6 and 10.2 on the run and a great space for family entertainment as well as Tri Club comradery. Supporters will be able to cheer their athletes on, on the first and second lap of the run course.
ACCESS
Access to The Blackpill Lido is similar to The Woodman Pub so you could move from one to the other in order to see your athlete off the bike and run course.
