IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Marbella: favorites, course and key points
On November 8th and 9th, Marbella hosts the World Championship HOMBRE DE HIERRO 70.3 2025, a historic event that will bring together the best triathletes on the planet on the Costa del Sol.
Marbella, world capital of triathlon for a weekend
The Andalusian city is preparing to welcome more than 6.300 triathletes from 114 countries, who will compete in the 2025 Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
This will be the first time Spain has hosted the 70.3 World Championship, and it will do so in an incomparable setting: the Marbella coast, starting in Puerto Banús and finishing next to the Mediterranean.
The event will be divided into two days: the The women will compete on Saturday, November 8th., as well as the Sunday the 9th will be the men's turn.
In addition to the age group world titles, the event will decide the champions of the IRONMAN Pro Series 2025, bringing to a close a season marked by equality and spectacularity.
Record participation and global diversity
With More than 2.600 women and 3.600 men registeredThe championship will feature representation from all continents.
The United States leads the field with 1.484 triathletes, followed by Germany (450), France (441), the United Kingdom (414), Canada (355), Brazil (331), and Australia (251). Among the most notable countries represented are Armenia, Kenya, Madagascar, Vietnam, and Oman.
The age range also reflects the universality of triathlon: the youngest competitor will be Albert Fernández (18 years old, Mexico), while the veteran Helmut Schicketanz (83 years old, Germany) He will once again demonstrate that the passion for sport knows no bounds.
A tour designed for the show
The race will maintain the classic structure of the half IRONMAN: 1,9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21,1 km of running race.
The athletes will begin with swimming at Levante beach, in Puerto Banusto complete a round trip in the Mediterranean waters. No wetsuits required for professionals; a fast and technical outing is expected, with warm water and generally calm seas.
The segment of Cycling It will be one of the most exciting races of the championship. The track layout of 90 km The route will follow the famous “Golden Mile” before turning inland onto the A-355 road, where the triathletes will face the climb towards Ojén and the areas of Peel y Coinbefore returning to Marbella in a dizzying descent. A route with more than 900 meters of elevation gain that will reward the most well-rounded cyclists.
Por último, la half marathon final It will take place over two laps along the Marbella seafront, passing through the marina and finishing on the sand itself, where a spectacular atmosphere is expected.
Professional favorites: clash of champions on the Costa del Sol
In the men's category, the level will be truly exceptional.
The Norwegian Kristian BlummenfeltThe 2021 IRONMAN world champion and Olympian in Tokyo, arrives motivated to reclaim his throne after an inconsistent season.
Facing him will be two compatriots of enormous talent: Gustav Iden, winner in Kona 2022, and Casper Stornesrecent IRONMAN World Champion Nice 2025, who will be looking to close the year with a double.
The Australian Max neumann, runner-up in the world championship in 2023, and the Dane Magnus ditlev, one of the most powerful cyclists on the circuit, complete the group of top contenders.
The Belgian will also be present. Marten Van Riel, champion of the T100 2024, nor the New Zealander Hayden Wildewho, after dominating the T100 2025 circuit, could be the man to beat if he confirms his presence.
Women's category: generational clash and clear favorites
In the women's competition, the fight promises to be exciting. The German Laura Philipp, the 2024 IRONMAN world champion and holder of the absolute women's record (8h03 in Hamburg), arrives in a state of grace.
She will face the Australian Ashleigh Gentle, historical dominator of the 70.3 distance and queen of the T100 circuit in previous years. The British Kat matthewsThe runner-up in Nice 2024 will be looking for redemption after coming close to the title on several occasions. The Swiss player will also be competing. Daniela Ryf, multiple world champion, and the British Lucy Charles-Barclay, who remains one of the best swimmers on the planet and a regular contender for the podium.
Pay attention to two young names: the British Kate Waugh, leader of the T100 World Tour 2025, and the German Lisa Tertsch, WTCS World Champion 2025who is making his debut in the middle distance with the reputation of being a revelation. His transition from Olympic triathlon to the middle distance will be one of the weekend's main attractions.
The Spanish at the World Cup
Spain will have several renowned triathletes among the age groups and the paratriathlon category.
Highlights Javier Merida, a legend of adapted sport, who will return to competition after swimming across the English Channel and completing multiple IRONMAN races.
The list of participants also includes Reyes Estevez, former Olympic athlete who at 48 years old continues to break records in his category.
In the women's race, the Catalan Marta Sanchez He will ultimately not compete due to injury.
stories that inspire
The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship has always been much more than a race.
This year, athletes with impressive stories of overcoming adversity will participate, such as the American. Katie Hamister, who returned to competition after suffering a serious accident, or the Puerto Rican Deborah Maldonado Rivera, founder of “Kilometers of Change”, an initiative that fights against gender violence.
German also stands out Lisa Meschwho returned to the sport after brain surgery that left him with motor impairments. His story of perseverance has become a symbol of the IRONMAN spirit.
Transmission and tracking
The event can be followed live from the 7:30 a.m. (CET) through proseries.ironman.com, YouTube, DAZNand in Spain by RTVE Play.
In Latin America, coverage will be available in ESPN (Disney+), and in other countries through L'Équipe (France), ZDF (Germany) o Outside TV (USA).
Against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, the 2025 70.3 World Championship promises to close the season with an iconic image: thousands of triathletes crossing the finish line on the Marbella sand to the cry that defines this sport: “Anything is Possible”.
