The most popular Ironman courses triathletes are racing to register for this year

Europe is a hotbed for Ironman racing in 2025. So far this year, 12 have already sold out across the continent.  The popularity for a destination race in Europe is followed by locations in South America. The US and Canadian race calendars are a distant second and third for sold out venues in this year.

Triathletes are gravitating to the 70.3 distance over the full Ironman across the spectrum. Out of 21 races already sold out, 15 are the half distance.

Races happening in warm locations are seeing registrations fill up quickly. In South America, 70.3 races in Panama and Brazil are already sold out for March and April, respectively, as is the full Ironman in Brazil, June 1. Given those races are happening soon, it is likely that triathletes chose these warm location some time ago to commit and get training well in advance.

Anyone who hasn’t already signed up for a spring race overseas will be disappointed to find out that the 70.3 distance races in Aix-en-Provence (France), Kraichgau (Germany), Rapperswil-Jona (Switzerland), Tours Metripole (France), Wesfriesland (Netherlands), and full distance races Hamburg European Championship (German), and Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendee (France) are already closed.

Summer racing in Europe is filling up quickly as well, with Ironman 70.3 Nice (France), Zell am See-Kaprun (Austria), Knokke-Heist (Belgium), and full distance Ironman Kalmar (Sweden) and Copenhagen already sold out.

Race spots in the US are moving slower. While there is considerably fewer option compared with our neighbours across the ocean, only Ironman 70.3 Oregon and 70.3 Illinois have filled so far.

The popular Canadian destination of Mont Tremblant in Quebec has sold out its 70.3 distance, and fervour for the race likely increased when Ironman announced that it’s full distance race at the same location was ending in 2023.

Ironman Canada filled up quickly when last year it was announced the race would move to Ottawa, Ontario, from it’s on-again-off-again home in Penticton, British Columbia. This year’s Ironman Canada is set in the city with a river swim in the Ottawa River, a rolling 2.75 loop closed bike course along the river, and a flat run through the city streets. It promises great spectator support and a fast course from swim to finish.

In contrast, Ironman 70.3 Mont Tremblant is a challenging course with a lake swim, hilly bike on a closed out-and-back course, and a single loop, rolling run. It is an award-winning race for its swim and run course. In 2023, It won Ironman’s Athlete’s Choice Award for the best swim and run. It stands out with a calm single loop swim in a clear lake against a beautiful backdrop of mountains, and a run through the Old Village of Tremblant, nestled in a ski resort town.

If any of these events sound like an epic destination, race to the front of the pack to register before you miss the cut off in 2026.