Sports
IRONMAN 70.3 Floripa: T2 and Run Course Secrets in Jurerê
With a counterclockwise route and a downhill stretch on the course's most feared section, the Jurerê layout favors a fast, steady pace.
The debut of IRONMAN 70.3 Florianópolis in Jurerê introduces a counterclockwise run course that eliminates previous race bottlenecks. Without the paving stones of Ingleses and featuring a downhill forest section, the half marathon gains speed and flow.
The venue change of IRONMAN 70.3 Florianópolis to Jurerê has reshaped race dynamics across the final transition and the half marathon. In a conversation at Stemma Performance with coach and nutritionist Thelma D’Amelio, triathlete Bruna Mahn broke down the direct impact of these course adjustments on athlete pacing and spectator strategy.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
Transition and the Best Spectator Spots
The T2 transition area remains set up in the same location as T1, next to P12, streamlining access and logistics. Because the bike leg is contested as a single loop along the highway, the practical recommendation for spectators is to avoid traveling far and focus on the heart of Jurerê.
Avenida dos Búzios stands out as the primary hub for fans. From there, spectators can easily catch athletes finishing the bike leg, exiting transition on foot, and making subsequent passes during the half marathon within a remarkably compact radius.
Counterclockwise Loop and Speed Gains
The 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run is split into two loops of approximately 10 km each. Unlike the traditional full-distance Ironman course in Jurerê, which runs clockwise, the 70.3 adopts a counterclockwise direction. Exiting transition, athletes turn right, head through residential streets, and loop around the back of the neighborhood.
This inversion delivers a significant mechanical advantage: the roughly 1 km climb from the original course—between km 5 and km 8—is now tackled on a descent. Running this section downhill eases muscular strain and keeps the pace fast. Additionally, the wooded stretch that becomes dark and isolated during the evening in the full Ironman is completed in full daylight during the 70.3.
The layout was also designed to support athletes mentally. The turnaround for the first loop occurs before the finish arch, avoiding the psychological toll of seeing the finish line when facing another 10 km to go. Race staff hand out the lap wristband at the turnaround, and competitors head straight into their second lap.
Leaving Cobblestones Behind: Smoother Than Ingleses
Compared to the previous 70.3 course in Ingleses, the Jurerê layout offers smoother asphalt and fewer disruptions to momentum. In Ingleses, the paving-stone section demanded constant vigilance to avoid ankle injuries, along with multiple tight turnarounds.
In Jurerê, continuous flat asphalt allows for a much more relaxed, rhythmic stride. The mix of uniform road surface, a downhill grade on the critical climb, and dense crowd support along Avenida dos Búzios positions the new half marathon course for exceptionally fast splits.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
