Mallorca half Ironman is the biggest of its type in the Ironman calendar with almost 3000 competitors, and is held in Alcudia on the coast of Mallorca. I have done quite a number of half Ironman (branded and unbranded) and I think this is the best in terms of the location, the sea swim ( flat water in a bay - I could see fish) and the fantastic cycle route (which leads up into the central mountains - over 800m of climbing, and a technical descent) and wonderful support from the locals and tourists alike. The run along the sea front is a little exposed and was very very hot, but well supported.

My 8th year at this race and just as good as ever.

All you would expect from an Ironman organised event, all went like clockwork.

Lovely carm swim swim, one lap, out and back, easy to navigate.

Bike, stunning ride into the mountains, one long climb of about 10km @ around 5-6%, then a technical decent and flat run home.

2.5 laps around the town and along the beach front, well supported, great aid stations, but was a little warm by mid day.

The largest 70.3 in the world but don't really feel that big. No pro field this year but that didn't take anything away from the experiance.

I'll be back next year for number 9.

Couldn't have been more excited to take part ion my first IM branded event, even bought the photo pack before hand! Registration was no problem, easy and relaxed. This is looking good, I thought. Race day came and for once I'd had a really good night's sleep and a good breakfast. Having travelled out with friends to do the event we were all exited and egging each other on. Swim start was ok, my first rolling start as im used to a mass start and it was quite a different experience passing but also being passed by other swimmers, usally more closely matched with those around me, but the water was lovely and no jellyfish!

T1 was great apart from sand inbetween your toes but then we were on a beach in transittion. Changed and fed and on the bike and off....first 12 miles went quickly, passing other cyclists and loads of spectators. Up I went past the turn off for Pollensa and up the climb to Lluc monastery. Done this climb before so know its not a killer and was confiden of my pace and ability. 15 miles in and my gears went. Chuck, chuck, chuck, chain down. almost stopped in my tracks. No major issue, got off and had a look and tightened my gear cable. Had a quick drink and set offf....4 metres no more, chuck, chuck, chuck, same again.  Stopped again and pulled over ton have a proper look. Cassette fine, chain fine, just the gears.... tried several times with the same result. By this time mopre cyclists were passing and offering help. A coupe had a look but couldnt figure out why it was 'slipping' but said they send a marshal from the check point at the top (only 3 miles or 5k away so not far). I sat at the side of the road in limited shade and soon finished my water bottles. Other cyclisr passed, some stopped, all said they notify someone.

I was there for two hours in which time a marshal on motorbike, two paramediocs and hundreds of cyclists gone past. Not one mechanic. Two and a hlaf hours later, dehyadrated and quite possibly with heatstroke I decided that my race was clearly over. I wheeled myself down to the last place I had seen spectators and within 15 mins had met the sweeper bus. I was not glad to see this as this was definitley game over.

The resulting 3 hours were torture, sat on a an air conditioned bujs with no place to stop for the toilet and nothing to eat other than gels (really done need or want gels sat on a bus for 3 hours unless you have a toilet on board). Bear in mind those picked up monly had sweaty tri suits on.

After a very long bus ride back to Alcudia our bikes were taken off us for re racking and we were left on the pavement and told, nothing!

Walking arouind a beach in cleats is not easy. Walking around a becah in cleats with no instructions, marshals who literally didnt have a clue what to do with DNF's or seem to care either.

As it tuns out I ended up with a chest infection duw to heatstroke from exposure followed by the cold bus in wet clothes. I also did not get ONE picture of me despite paying for the full pack. The swimming photos were not even of me!!!!

To say i am disapopointed is this years' understatement. This really affected my confidence in Ironman. I am doing Bolton in less than a week but I doublt i will ever pay my money to these careless corportaes ever again sadly. 

It was my 7th time racing this event and after last years wet weather this year returned to the normal glorious sunshine.

As alway the weekend was typically smooth running as you would expect from an Ironman branded event.

Transition was moved to the beach this year due to road works on the street where it is normally set up, this could have been done better as the bikes were on the sand overnight which was not ideal. Hopefully next year they will be able to return to the street again.

The swim started with a rolling start which made for an easy swim, sea was calm and warm.

A light wind pushed us out on the bikes and up the climb which is about 10km long but not to stept (avg about 5-6%) then it was down the techically decent before the ride back to Alcudia, this year into a slight head wind.

The run was getting warm, I guess 26-27 degrees but with well stocked and spaced aid stations it was managable.

All in all another great year, and I'm sure I'll be back next year for number 8..

Mallorca 70.3 always sells out quickly and there is a reason for this! it is a great race! the course is stunning, a great 1900m swim in the clear seas of the med. An awesome bike course on closed roads, super smooth tarmac and a 10km climb averaging 5.5%. The run in after the hill is super fast. Once onto the its three laps along the beach and through the town. 

The only downside was the race briefing. It was outside on the beach and with some many people in the "race village" it was hard to hear. 

Great race and a great venue!

This was my very first IM.  I am 61. My son did this with me and it was simply brilliant in every way. The aid stations started to close down a bit towards our finishing and we did not get finish line photos. Also IM are getting too arrogant and greedy for their own good IMHO and I may avoid IM again and switch to Challenge or someone else.  They are expensive and elitist.  They don't respond quickly to post race questions, they completely screwed up their live timing and are too profit focussed for their long term good IMHO.

This was my first Ironman event and first 70.3 and I wasn't disappointed.  It was well organised and I enjoyed the race from start to finish.  It was ridiculously hot and when I first got off the bike and started running I wasn't sure if I was even going to reach the first feed station in one piece!  I picked up though after a few glasses of water and cold sponges and after a few showers enroute from the amazing crowds.  I would highly recommend this race and I'll be back next year to  try and improve on my time.

My first time doing this race. Well organised and great support especially all around the run route. Was pretty incredible.

Swim start was great as was a rolling start. The water however pretty yucky and smelly in the shallower areas ie entry and exit.

Beautiful sceneray up the Lluc climb and the rest of the course is pretty fast and flat.

Run was hot but the spectators kept everyone going!

The inital part of the bike on the flat road out to Lluc was rammed with cyclists. Dangerously so. I got caught up in a massive group, no one making a pass, no option to be able to over take, people using the wrong side of the road and taking a risk..... This was scary. It did however even out on the climb but this sort of situation was unavoidable. And wasted a lot of time. 

Will be back next year!