Cozumel, a renowned destination for both beach lovers and athletes, is also a seasoned host for the IRONMAN Cozumel. Known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant atmosphere, the race takes place in one of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean. Athletes compete on a flat, fast course, taking advantage of the island’s scenic coastline, turquoise waters, and warm climate. The event is well-regarded for its smooth logistics and welcoming community, making it a favorite among seasoned triathletes.

IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel is a half-long-distance triathlon. Currently, there is a also a full-distance Ironman Cozumel event held later in November each year. The Ironman 70.3 Cozumel, held in September, features a 1.2-mile ocean swim, a 56-mile bike course around the island, and a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) flat, waterfront run through downtown San Miguel. The event attracts athletes from around the world for its stunning course and crystal-clear waters.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Swim: A 1.2-mile ocean swim in the Cozumel Channel, starting with a deep water (jumping from a deck) rolling start.
Bike: A 56-mile (90 km) flat bike course that loops around the island.
Run: A 13.1-mile (21.1 km) flat run, primarily along the waterfront and through downtown San Miguel.

Key features of the race that make it a unique and exciting experience:

Cozumel is popular for its beautiful scenery, vibrant coral reefs, and tropical island atmosphere.
Flat and fast course: The bike and run courses are relatively flat, making it a fast course for athletes.
Popular event: IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel is not just an event, it's a vibrant community of athletes from around the world, making it a popular and inclusive event in the IRONMAN 70.3 series.
Spectator-friendly: The run course takes place along the waterfront and through downtown, offering plenty of opportunities for spectators to cheer on the athletes.

Understanding the two transitions at IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel

This event features a unique setup with two separate transition areas (T1 and T2), unlike races with a single, central transition point. This "split transition" design is due to the course's layout across the island.

Here's how it works: athletes will have a distinct location for each transition, requiring careful planning and organization of their gear for both the swim-to-bike and bike-to-run segments of the race. Knowing the locations and procedures for each transition is crucial for a smooth and successful race day performance.

Transition 1 (T1) - Swim to Bike:

-Located at Chankanaab Park.
-This is where athletes will exit the swim course after completing the 1.2-mile swim.
-Athletes will shed their swim gear (wetsuit, cap, goggles) and change into their cycling attire (helmet, cycling shoes).
-Athletes will then collect their bikes from the rack and head out for the 56-mile bike course.
-Important Note: Bike check-in for T1 occurs the day before the race.

Transition 2 (T2) - Bike to Run:

-Located at the Mega Super Center Parking Lot, adjacent to Cozumel's City Hall in downtown.
-This is where athletes will finish the 56-mile bike course and rack their bikes.
-Athletes will then change into their running gear (running shoes, hat/visor, race belt) and prepare for the 13.1-mile run.
-Important Note: Athletes are required to drop off their T2 gear bag (containing their running gear) at T2 the day before the race.

Stay hydrated and get as much ice as possible!

Maintaining a low core body temperature is a crucial aspect of this race. Before the race, doing an overly intense dryland warm-up before the swim may not be a brilliant idea. The water is so warm that you don't want to be overheated before you even start the swim. On race morning, I used some ice pads around my neck to keep my core temperature as low as possible until the race began.

Running Course Water Baggies at Aid Stations:

At Ironman Cozumel 70.3, water is typically provided in plastic baggies, not traditional paper cups.

This method, while initially different from what some athletes might expect, allows athletes to drink water in a controlled stream or easily pour it over themselves for cooling. Some athletes find this method to be quite convenient and prefer it to paper cups, as it reduces the risk of spillage and allows for more efficient hydration during the race.

As for riding through the wind on the bike, experienced cyclists should have few issues. Still, newer cyclists may want to spend some extra time in training or arrive on the island early to gain experience riding in windy conditions. For the run, prepare for the heat, be sure to bring sun protection and focus on cooling at each aid station.

On race day, during the swim, the water was calm due to the sheltered location in the channel, with no waves, but with a strong current. Take advantage of the race-organized practice swim to determine the current conditions on race weekend.

Understanding the swim course is key to a successful race. The swim course is a long, rectangular shape, starting and finishing in front of the dolphin platform at the Chankanaab Park. The race begins with a deep-water start facing northeast, then athletes swim in a counter-clockwise direction around the rectangle, keeping all buoys to their left side. The course was marked with small round buoys every 100 meters, followed by large triangular buoys at each of the three left turns. The water visibility is excellent throughout the entire course.

The swim takes place on the west side of the island in the Cozumel Channel, a protected stretch of water between the island of Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula. It's not just a swim, it's an experience. And it lives up to its reputation for being one of the prettiest swims in Ironman racing and the highlight of this course. The water is just crystal clear, and the unique underwater scenery makes it a truly unforgettable part of the race.

The average 83-degree water temperatures will make neoprene wetsuits prohibited on this swim. The race features a rolling start, which means athletes will self-seed on race morning into groups based on their projected 1.2-mile swim time, such as 27-29 minutes, 29-31 minutes, and so on. While it may be tempting to join a faster group, swimming with athletes of your same speed will benefit you the most—there will be fewer faster athletes swimming over you, and you will have a better chance to draft off of someone's feet that matches your speed.

How did it go?

We arrived on the island five nights before the event, and I am happy we did, as it gave me time to deal with some mechanical issues with the bike. As a long-term habit, having traveled internationally for around 50 international events, the first thing I do when I arrive at the hotel, after taking a shower, is to put the bike together. This event included mechanical services at the hotel. The Ironman 70.3 Cozumel Host Hotels list includes “Mechanical service” as a benefit, along with free ground transportation to the race site for athletes.

Race Day:

We set the alarm for 4:00 AM. A bus was waiting for athletes at the lobby for an approximately 10-minute ride to Transition One (T1) and the swim start. A nice breakfast ready for athletes at the lobby, including fresh fruits, bananas, coffee, and croissants etc.

One hour before the start, it was still dark. I went to my T1 spot and completed the transition, checking tire pressure and making sure everything was in order. I left the “morning bag” at the place assigned.

The Swim: The Swim was fantastic. I don’t know how, but as I jumped into the water, dolphins were jumping right next to me. I could touch them, which felt surreal.🐬🐬🐬😍 The swim was fabulous.

Transition #1: was a bit long, but organized, and I had enough space.

The Bike Ride: The bike ride was a bit windy. I tried to grab water at each aid station. I planned to stay as hydrated as possible while trying to help my body calibrate my core temperature. Furthermore, I had some mechanical issues with the shifts, and the bike was a bit braked. I was not going “all out” at all.

Transition #2: The transition was nice, a bit dark but not too hot. I remember a Canadian was next to me. She said, “That bike ride was very short.” I realized she had gotten confused and taken a wrong turn coming from T1; she turned right to T2 instead of left to keep the course around the island. I told her to keep going because she had about 45 miles left. She was so thankful that I avoided her to get DQ. Things like that happened to me and to many others a lot.

The Run: The flat, two-lap run course gives you a scenic tour of the downtown area’s signature sites, including the waterfront walk, downtown San Miguel de Cozumel’s central plaza, and some historic neighborhoods.

During the first lap, I felt relatively good, trying to stay hydrated and pouring as much water as possible. In the second lap, I started feeling stomach issues. I stopped a few times to use the restroom. I was having trouble keeping a consistent pace as usual. When I made it to the finish line, I was so surprised and proud of myself that I kept pushing, even feeling very sick. I went straight to the restrooms and cleaned myself thoroughly. The volunteers came to help me, brought me water and body cleaning care.

I was super happy. I finished 2nd in my age group with a time of 5:03:11.

I am very thankful for the volunteers and everyone who supports me.