2018 Athlete Choice Winners Announced-Ironman

By Mike Fielder March 12, 2019

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Find out if your favorite event made the list this year.

As you plan your 2019 season, who better to consult than your fellow athletes? Our annual athlete surveys tell the story best: using the information we gather from YOU, our community, we are proud to present our top 10 IRONMAN events across a variety of categories. Read on for the places and communities that will get you excited to race this year—whether you’re looking for a pristine swim, a memorable post-race party, or a bike course that will have you mesmerized.

2018 Athlete Choice Awards – IRONMAN

Check this out: 2018 Athlete Choice Awards – IRONMAN 70.3

Overall Satisfaction

1. Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns: “Superbly organized and run, and the location is spectacular. It’s probably the best multisport/mass participation event I’ve ever been to. The volunteers and staff were excellent as was the atmosphere in and around Cairns all weekend, but especially during the race, which was absolutely amazing and unforgettable.”

2. IRONMAN Kalmar (Sweden): “Fantastic experience! BEST SPECTATORS! The whole city was cheering for us, they really made me smile the whole day!”

3. IRONMAN France: “La mer chaude, les paysages du vélo, la course à pied sur la Promenade même. Très bonne organisation sur les 3 sports.”

4. Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand: The way that the town embraces the IRONMAN event. This is second to none.”

5. IRONMAN Western Australia: This one was very unique. The whole city is involved and you feel as a very special guest because you’re racing. It’s an incredible feeling. I was very calm because the whole city welcomed us, made us feel at home. The opening ceremony was sublime and, I found, very personal. I wish that everyone who can, should race here and enjoy this unique experience.

6. IRONMAN Australia: “Honestly, the volunteers made my race weekend. Every single one of them was amazing and helpful. It makes me want to volunteer. Port Macquarie is a beautiful and fabulous location for this event and the course is great. Swim leg is perfect for the non-confident swimmer too.”

7. IRONMAN Lake Placid: “The town, the weather, the community, the people, the volunteers. You have cultivated an incredible atmosphere. A large portion of my family came to spectate and were more than pleasantly surprised at the atmosphere and community feel around the lake for the duration of the event—and the excellent views/weather!”

8. IRONMAN Arizona: “My family was able to see me a lot throughout the course. There were a lot of places, including the aid stations that cheered you on.”

9. IRONMAN Wisconsin: “City embraces the event, people get behind it. Course is fantastic—a fair test for all athletes, no packs of drafters. Climbs on Old Sauk Pass, Timber Lane and Midtown Rd are as close to a Tour de France feeling as you get in U.S. triathlon.”

10. IRONMAN Austria-Kärnten: “Great atmosphere before, on the day of competition and after. The guys pumped up the volume on the finish line. It was the best finish line experience I’ve had!”

Overall Swim Experience

1. Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand

2. Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship South Africa

3. IRONMAN Brazil

4. IRONMAN Boulder

5. IRONMAN Wales

6. KMD IRONMAN Copenhagen

7. IRONMAN Kalmar (Sweden)

8. IRONMAN Malaysia

9. IRONMAN Austria-Kärnten

10. Subaru IRONMAN Canada

Overall Bike Experience