IRONMAN has released the winners of its 2025 Athletes’ Choice Awards, identifying the top-performing events across its international race calendar based on post-event athlete surveys.
The awards are determined by feedback from approximately 30,000 survey respondents. In 2025, the series saw approximately 250,000 race registrations across both IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events.
In the full-distance IRONMAN Series, IRONMAN Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée in France claimed the top honour for Overall Event Satisfaction. The 2025 season marked the first time the venue hosted a full-distance event, having previously operated as an IRONMAN 70.3.
Thibault Vellard, Regional Director for France, said “2025 marked the first ever IRONMAN Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée triathlon, having previously taken place as an IRONMAN 70.3 event. Les Sables has long been one of our most popular race venues on the circuit, with the IRONMAN 70.3 race selling out in record time year after year. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that same athlete passion is now reflected in the full-distance IRONMAN event.”
For the IRONMAN 70.3 Series, IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun in Austria was named the top race for Overall Event Satisfaction out of more than 114 events globally. The Austrian race also secured the award for Best Bike Course.
Patrick Schoerkmayer, Race Director for IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun, said “Zell am See-Kaprun is one of the most iconic settings in our sport, and athletes continue to be inspired by its breathtaking alpine landscapes. This race is a highlight of the season for so many, and we’re committed to delivering an unforgettable experience from start to finish.”
Other notable winners in the full-distance category included IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden, which swept the awards for Best Bike Course, Best Run Course, and Most Recommended Race. IRONMAN Malaysia was recognised for having the Best Swim Course.
In the IRONMAN 70.3 category, IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia earned the Best Swim Course accolade, while IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities, WA, was awarded Best Run Course. IRONMAN 70.3 Cartagena in Colombia was named the Most Recommended Race in the 70.3 series.
The global winners for the 2025 season are:
Best Overall Race
IRONMAN Series – IRONMAN Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée (France)
IRONMAN 70.3 Series – IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun (Austria)
Best Swim Course
IRONMAN Series – IRONMAN Malaysia
IRONMAN 70.3 Series – IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia (Australia)
Best Bike Course
IRONMAN Series – IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden
IRONMAN 70.3 Series – IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun (Austria)
Best Run Course
IRONMAN Series – IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden
IRONMAN 70.3 Series – IRONMAN 70.3 Washington (USA)
Most Recommended
IRONMAN Series – IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden
IRONMAN 70.3 Series – IRONMAN 70.3 Cartagena (Colombia)
Top five by category
| Best Overall Race (Overall Event Satisfaction) | ||
| RANK | IRONMAN | IRONMAN 70.3 |
| 1 | IRONMAN Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendee (FRA) | IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun (AUT) |
| 2 | Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida (USA) | IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence (FRA) |
| 3 | IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden (SWE) | IRONMAN 70.3 Cartagena (COL) |
| 4 | Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid (USA) | IRONMAN 70.3 Tours Metropole Loire Valley (FRA) |
| 5 | IRONMAN Western Australia Asia-Pacific Championship (AUS) | Ueno Bank IRONMAN 70.3 Encarnación (PRY) |
| Overall Swim Experience |
||
| RANK | IRONMAN | IRONMAN 70.3 |
| 1 | IRONMAN Malaysia (MYS) | IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia (AUS) |
| 2 | IRONMAN Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendee (FRA) | IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi (MYS) |
| 3 | IRONMAN Vitoria (ESP) | IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley (USA) |
| 4 | IRONMAN Chattanooga (USA) | ANZCO Foods IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand (NZL) |
| 5 | ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand (NZL) | IRONMAN 70.3 Panamá (PAN) |
| Overall Bike Experience |
||
| RANK | IRONMAN | IRONMAN 70.3 |
| 1 | IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden (SWE) | IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See‑Kaprun (AUT) |
| 2 | IRONMAN Wales (GBR) | IRONMAN 70.3 Florianópolis (BRA) |
| 3 | IRONMAN Switzerland (CHE) | ANZCO Foods IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand (NZL) |
| 4 | IRONMAN Vitoria (ESP) | IRONMAN 70.3 Elsinore (DNK) |
| 5 | IRONMAN Les Sables d’Olonne (FRA) | IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan (USA) |
| Overall Run Experience |
||
| RANK | IRONMAN | IRONMAN 70.3 |
| 1 | IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden (SWE) | IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities (USA) |
| 2 | Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas North American Championship (USA) | IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy (FRA) |
| 3 | ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand (NZL) | IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon (USA) |
| 4 | IRONMAN South Africa African Championship (ZAF) | IRONMAN 70.3 Punta del Este (URY) |
| 5 | Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid (USA) | ANZCO Foods IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand (NZL) |
| Most Recommended |
||
| RANK | IRONMAN | IRONMAN 70.3 |
| 1 | IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden (SWE) | IRONMAN 70.3 Cartagena (COL) |
| 2 | IRONMAN Wales (GBR) | IRONMAN 70.3 Brasilia (BRA) |
| 3 | IRONMAN Brazil (BRA) | IRONMAN 70.3 Valdivia (CHL) |
| 4 | IRONMAN Copenhagen (DNK) | IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro (BRA) |
| 5 | Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid (USA) | ANZCO Foods IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand (NZL) |
