Ironman 70.3 Geelong: My Insider's Guide to Conquering the Course

As a fellow Melbournian age-grouper who’s completed the Geelong course multiple times, I thought it would be great to share some of my knowledge. With the race now hosting the opening round of the 2025 Ironman Pro Series on 23rd March, I thought I’d pass on my hard-earned insights about this iconic Victorian classic.

There's a reason this race consistently ranks as one of Australia's favourite triathlons. Just an hour's drive from Melbourne, this beautiful bayside course offers the perfect mix of challenge and reward, with a community that really shows up on race day.

Race Day Logistics - The Stuff That Matters

Get to Geelong the day before if possible. Stay in town rather than Melbourne – that hour drive on race morning can be stressful, and you want to be close to the action.

Transition opens at 6am on race day, and it'll be dark, so pack a headlamp. I've forgotten mine before and had to use my phone flashlight – not ideal when trying to set up your gear!

First thing I do race morning? Put on my timing chip before I even get out of bed. I'm paranoid about forgetting it and this way I know it's secure.

Get to transition early. There's nothing worse than rushing setup or discovering a mechanical issue with 10 minutes until race start. I've seen the panic on people's faces when they discover a flat tire at 7:30am!

The Swim - Where Your Day Begins

You'll be starting your day with a 1.9km single-lap swim in Port Phillip Bay. It's saltwater, but don't worry – it's not the open ocean, so you won't be battling massive swells or currents.

The first 800m heads straight out, and I've found this section can be a bit challenging if there's any chop, as you're swimming directly into it. The good news? Once you make that first turn, the water usually helps push you home. Small victories, right?

I've raced here in March (our autumn) several times and the conditions vary year to year. I've experienced everything from glassy calm to moderate chop, but I've never seen it truly rough. Temperature-wise, I've always worn my wetsuit here – it's either been wetsuit-legal or optional every time I've competed.

Pro Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me

• Bring tinted goggles. That sunrise coming up over the bay is beautiful... until you're trying to sight buoys directly into it. Trust me on this one.
• Sighting is tricky on the outbound leg. There's not much to aim for except the buoys themselves. I focus on finding a tall building or tree behind the turn buoy to help stay straight.
• Don't dive too early. You'll need to run out a fair way before the water's deep enough for swimming. I've seen plenty of people face-planting in knee-deep water!

Transition 1 - Get In, Get Out

T1 sits in what's normally a lovely grassy park area. Unlike the full IRONMAN, there's no bag system here – everything's laid out beside your bike the traditional way.

My approach? Keep it simple. Helmet goes on first (rules are rules!), then shoes (unless you're fancy with the bike-mounted shoes), and I'm out. The area can get crowded, so I always take mental notes the day before about exactly where my bike is racked. One year I used a bright towel as a marker, only to find five identical towels nearby on race morning!

The Bike - Where The Race Really Begins

Don't let the seemingly flat profile fool you – this 90km two-lap course has enough undulations to keep things interesting.

You'll mount your bike and immediately have a few hundred meters to get your legs working before hitting a sharp hairpin and your first little climb into Eastern Park. This caught me by surprise my first year – lesson learned about starting in an appropriate gear.

Most of the course is on spectacular roads. The stretch along Geelong-Port Arlington Road is particularly sweet – wide lanes, smooth surface and enough room to settle into your aero position and find your rhythm.

Point Henry has a slightly rougher surface (it's near an industrial area), but nothing your bike can't handle. The real test comes after this section when you head toward Port Arlington and face what locals call "the climb." It's not steep by European standards (or even by Melbourne's Beach Road standards), but it's a steady grind that seems to go on forever, especially if the wind's in your face.

After the turnaround at the Golf Course, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful descent back toward town. This is where having a TT bike really pays off – I've hit some of my highest speeds on this section with a tailwind pushing me along.

Lessons From My Mistakes

• Respect the transition hairpin. There's always a crowd watching, and I've seen riders come in too hot and almost crash. Don't let adrenaline override good judgment.
• Prepare for the wind. It can really pick up along the exposed sections. One year I was nearly blown sideways! Practice your crosswind handling before race day.
• Pace yourself. It's tempting to hammer the first lap when you're feeling fresh, but that second lap can really sting if you've burned all your matches early.
• Gear selection matters. I start in an easier gear now after nearly stalling out on that first climb my debut year. Embarrassing!

Transition 2 - The Moment Of Truth

By the time you hit T2, your legs will be reminding you that you've still got a half marathon to go. My strategy? Get moving fast. Shoes on, grab your hat and race belt and GO. You can adjust everything as you start running.

I've seen too many people sitting down, adjusting socks, taking nutrition or just catching their breath in T2. Those minutes add up! The only thing I'll take extra time for is proper socks – blisters can ruin your day faster than almost anything else.

The Run - Where Champions Are Made

This 2.5-lap run course is where the real battle begins. It's more challenging than it looks on paper, with some sneaky climbs that feel like mountains by the third time around.

Right out of transition, you're heading uphill for about 600m. It's not steep, but it's enough to make your bike-fatigued legs scream "what are we doing?!" After you round the corner at Rippleside Park, you get some downhill relief before hitting the waterfront path.

The bay section is one of my favorites – there's usually a breeze, spectators are cheering, and the views are gorgeous. But don't get too comfortable! Just past the swim enclosure there's a short, sharp uphill that takes you from the footpath up to Hearn Parade. The first time, you'll barely notice it. The second time, you'll definitely feel it. The third time? Let's just say the words I mutter aren't suitable for print.

The stretch out to Limeburners Point has another climb to the turnaround. Again, not massive, but at this point in the race, every incline feels like Everest.

If the weather is warm, which usually it is for this time of year, then the longer you are out there, the warmer it will usually get. Be prepared for that sauna feeling.

My Hard-Earned Run Wisdom

• Start conservative. The first 5km should feel easy. If they don't, you're going too fast.
• Use the aid stations strategically. I grab water at every single one (either to drink or pour over myself), and save the cola for the last lap when I need that sugar rush.
• The crowd at the finish area is amazing. Feed off their energy, but don't let it push you to sprint too early – you've still got to come around again before the finish chute!
• Watch your footing on the steep descent. When your legs are tired, it's easy to lose control downhill. I've seen people tumble here when their quads decided to stop cooperating.

Final Thoughts

Geelong 70.3 is special. It's challenging enough to feel like an achievement, but accessible enough for first-timers at the distance. The community turns out in force, and finishing down that chute with the bay in the background creates memories that last.

Will I see you there on 23rd March? I hope so! Look for the Melbourne local with the ridiculous tan lines and the permanent smile (doubtful!).