Description
Fancy racing a 70.3 distance in an unusual location? Dali in Yunnan province is a stunning destination in its own right, nature and culture galore to explore.
How does this work? Sign up on the sported website by purchasing an entry. Sported will then pay Ironman direct and Ironman will email each person who has signed up, a code for use on registration on the official ironman site.
Registration remains subject to Ironman's standard terms, conditions and participation requirements.
All information regarding the first edition of this event at this stunning location can be found on the official Ironman Dali 70.3 website (IRONMAN 70.3 Dali | IRONMAN).
All travel to and from the event will be each participant’s own responsibility and travel and accommodation can be found here (Accommodations | IRONMAN 70.3 Dali)
Sported Coaching Travel Tips
The tips on this page are just our own Sported Coaching team's travel ideas. We are not a travel agent, nor an organiser, but we thought we might as well share what we are planning to do.
We are planning to arrive in Dali area a week before the race to acclimatise a bit to the altitude.
We (at the time of writing that is just David and Rianca) have booked a hotel on the lake close to Dali Ancient Town, Suli Yinxie Seaview Vacation Guesthouse (Dali Longkan Wharf Branch).
On the Thursday before the race we will move to Dali very close to the race venue (Hilton Garden Inn Dali Erhai Park).
For official travel advice from Ironman
All information regarding the first edition of this event at this stunning location can be found on the official Ironman Dali 70.3 website
All travel to and from the event will be each participant’s own responsibility and travel and accommodation can be found here on the official Iornman 70.3 Dali website
In addition we can also recommend Lightfoottravel.com as a boutique high-end tour operator if you fancy exploring Yunnan in style after your race.
Beyond the Race: Discover Yunnan
For those looking to extend their stay, Yunnan is one of China's most captivating provinces. Bordering Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, this diverse region is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, from snow-capped peaks and deep river gorges to rolling plains and alpine lakes.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest canyons, or hike the slopes of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain overlooking the striking Blue Moon Valley. Meanwhile, the ancient towns of Lijiang and Dali offer a slower pace, with cobbled streets, traditional architecture, scenic canals and lakeside cycling routes.
Yunnan is also home to 25 of China's ethnic minority groups, creating a rich cultural tapestry that can be experienced through visits to local villages, markets and festivals. Further north, the mountain town of Shangri-La provides a fascinating glimpse into Tibetan culture, with its monasteries, prayer flags and high-altitude landscapes.
No visit is complete without exploring Yunnan's celebrated cuisine. Influenced by its ethnic diversity and proximity to Southeast Asia, the region is known for fragrant herbs, wild mushrooms, rice noodles and vibrant flavours of mint, lemongrass, lime and local chillies. Best of all, Yunnan is remarkably easy to explore, with an efficient high-speed rail network connecting many of its most iconic destinations
About the Race and the Course
In 2026, IRONMAN 70.3 comes to Dali, a historic city in Yunnan Province, for the first time. The race unfolds along the eastern shores of Erhai Lake, famed for its breathtaking scenery. Here, the dramatic Cangshan rise above the shimmering waters, creating one of the world's most spectacular natural stages for endurance sport. Dali is 6,000 feet above sea level and therefore some altitude acclimatisation is required. It is recommended to arrive at least 5 days before the race to adjust for the altitude and four-hour time difference.
The Swim
The one-lap 1.9km swim course takes place in the pristine waters of Erhai Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in China, where athletes will swim one counterclockwise loop.
T1 and T2 are in the same location at the Dali International Olympic Sports Centre on the shore of the lake.
The Bike
A three lap, flat, bike course along the lake shore. Looks flatter than Al Qudra!
The Run
A 2-lap run course along well paved roads.
