Event Overview
IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast is scheduled for Sunday, 13 September 2026 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, with the venue centred around the Mooloolaba Esplanade and nearby parklands. The event follows the standard IRONMAN 70.3 format: a 1.9km swim at Mooloolaba Beach, a 90km bike leg, and a 21.1km run finishing on Beach Terrace. The race uses a rolling swim start, with athletes self-seeding into start zones.
What the Course Demands
The swim is a single-lap, counter-clockwise ocean course that starts at the more sheltered eastern end of Mooloolaba Beach and finishes a short distance from the start. The bike section uses the Sunshine Motorway and nearby coastal sections and is described as fast with few undulations. The run is a two-lap format around the Esplanade area, including the Alexandra Headland Hill on each lap before returning to the finish.
Who This Event Suits Best
This race generally suits athletes targeting a structured half-distance effort on a course that is described as flat and friendly overall, while still requiring composure through transitions and pacing across two run laps. It can work for first-time 70.3 athletes who want clear course logistics and a rolling swim start, as well as experienced competitors looking to execute consistently across all three legs.
