After a nine year absence, Ironman has announced that it will be returning to Boise, Idaho in 2025. Ironman 70.3 Boise will take place on July 26, 2025, with registration opening on Sept. 16, 2024.
Back in 2015, the last year of a five-year contract between Ironman and Boise, the popular event was likely the victim of a number of other Ironman 70.3 races taking place on the same date – in 2015 the race was held on the same day as Ironman 70.3 Victoria (which would have attracted many of the Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria athletes) and Ironman 70.3 Boulder. Boise officials were also looking to renegotiate the Ironman licensing fee (reportedly US$50,000) for a new contract, which could have also affected the decision to cancel the race as Coeur d’Alene still had a couple more years on its contract, and in 2016 Coeur d’Alene added a 70.3 to its schedule. In 2018 it was decided to cancel the Ironman race in Coeur d’Alene and continue the 70.3 event. (The full distance race was held again in 2021 and 2023, but has been discontinued again.)
The city of Boise is all in for the race now, though, and the timing seems to be perfect for next year’s event – the race is roughly a month after Ironman 70.3 Victoria and about a month before the race in Coeur d’Alene. It’s not hard to imagine some athletes racing in two, or even all three, of those events.
“We are so excited to host Ironman 70.3 again after nearly ten years,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean in a release sent out by Ironman today. “Boise is well known for our outdoor spaces and residents who love to recreate in our foothills and river. This event showcases all Boise has to offer and highlights our city as a location for major sporting competitions. We look forward to welcoming athletes from near and far as they take on this challenging triathlon in our beautiful City of Trees.”
Here’s how today’s statement described the course:
Surrounded by the Boise Mountains, the Ironman 70.3 Boise race will kick off in the pristine waters of Lucky Peak Reservoir, with a 1.2-mile swim starting and finishing in the easily accessible Barclay Bay area. Once out of the water, athletes will head to transition 1 located at the Barclay Bay Parking Area. Athletes will be greeted with a sweeping downhill ride upon exiting the Lucky Peak Reservoir area to start their 56-mile cycling journey through the region. Athletes can expect a rolling, scenic tour of rural Boise roads and neighborhood streets before ending their bike journey with a downtown finish at transition 2. The popular Boise River Greenbelt Trail will play host to The Ironman 70.3 Boise run course. The flat, two-loop, 13.1-mile course, will be packed with shade and spectators as athletes wind along the Boise River to complete their journey in downtown Boise.
The race will serve as a qualifying race for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
You can find out more information about the race and register at www.ironman.com/im703-boise.
The post The popular Ironman 70.3 Boise is back for 2025 appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.