Event Description

Staged in and around the Sonoma County communities of Guerneville, Windsor, and Healdsburg, IRONMAN 70.3 Vineman draws not only triathletes, but their wine- and food-loving support crews back every year. The event is a ticket into the heart of the world-famous wine regions of the Napa and Sonoma valleys, and once you're there, you won't want to leave. There are bed and breakfast and boutique hotel options to suit every budget, as well as thousands of wineries, craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants for post-race celebrations. The race also offers a springboard for vacation itineraries including the Bay Area, Santa Cruz mountains, and redwood forests.

The split transition race begins at Johnson's Beach, nestled in the redwoods of the town of Guerneville. The 1.2 mile out and back swim takes place in calm, misty Russian River—shallow enough to stand up for a break if needed. Athletes will transition to their bikes, setting out on the 56-mile course featuring gentle rollers (and one tough climb) that wind through vineyards and quaint towns. The town of Windsor hosts transition two, where athletes will begin a challenging half-marathon that takes them through La Crema Winery. The finish line at Windsor High School is always packed with locals and spectators and a festive post-race atmosphere.

The course is a tour of Sonoma County's beautiful wine country, passing through four different grape growing regions: Russian River Valley Region, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and Chalk Hill.

The 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 Vineman offers 50 qualifying slots to the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.