Ironman Lake Placid
A classic Ironman in the Olympic mountain town of Lake Placid.
Lake Placid, New York
Late July
226.3 km
2,200 m (bike)
~2,500 athletes
Race Disciplines
Course Highlights
- Mirror Lake swim in the village center
- Whiteface Mountain area on the bike
- Adirondack Mountain scenery throughout
- Lake Placid village on the run
- Finish at the Olympic Speed Skating Oval
The Course
Ironman Lake Placid begins with a two-loop swim in Mirror Lake, a pristine body of water in the heart of the village. The calm, freshwater swim is one of the most pleasant in the Ironman circuit, with clear water surrounded by Adirondack peaks.
The 112-mile bike course is notoriously hilly, featuring two loops through the Adirondack countryside. Each loop includes the long climb to the Whiteface Mountain area, the punishing Haselton Hill, and the rolling terrain through Keene and Jay. Total bike elevation gain exceeds 7,000 feet, making this one of the most challenging Ironman bike courses in the United States. The scenery is spectacular, with mountain vistas, covered bridges, and dense forest throughout.
The marathon run consists of two out-and-back loops along the shores of Mirror Lake and through the village of Lake Placid, with a turnaround on the road toward Keene. The run course includes a challenging hill on the River Road section that runners must tackle twice. The finish line is on the Lake Placid Olympic oval, where the crowd support and celebratory atmosphere make the final steps unforgettable.
History
Ironman Lake Placid was first held in 1999 and quickly became one of the most popular full-distance Ironman races in North America. The event takes place in the village that hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics, where the U.S. hockey team's "Miracle on Ice" captivated the world.
The race's combination of stunning natural scenery, a tight-knit spectator village, and a genuinely challenging course has made it a perennial favorite among Ironman athletes. It is one of the most sought-after North American Ironman events and a popular choice for Kona qualification attempts despite its hilly profile.
How to Train for IMLP
Build serious climbing fitness
With over 7,000 feet of elevation gain on the bike, you need strong climbing legs. Include weekly long rides with sustained climbs and practice eating and drinking while climbing. Flat-terrain athletes should seek out the hilliest routes available.
Practice open-water swimming
Mirror Lake is a freshwater swim, often calm but sometimes with limited visibility. Practice sighting in open water and swimming in a crowd. The two-loop format means you will exit and re-enter the water, so practice that transition.
Train for the double-loop run
Running the same loop twice can be mentally challenging, especially on the second pass when you know what hills are coming. Practice mental toughness strategies and break the marathon into smaller segments rather than thinking about the full distance.
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