_ 2017 IronMan Maine 70.3 Triathlon:

A family-friendly Half Ironman Distance event in Maine's popular beach town just south of Portland.

Old Orchard Beach is easy to reach by the major highways in Maine. Exits 36 and 42 off the Maine Turnpike (I-95) take you quickly into our popular seaside resort, as does the access from U.S. Route 1. By air, we are serviced by the Portland Jetport, 13 miles north or through Boston, from all parts of the world. Local bus services directed to the center of town where you have easy access to all accommodations.

It's almost impossible not to have fun at Old Orchard Beach. The beach, the arcades and amusement rides, nightly entertainment, auto races, and harness racing are favorite activities in the area. Old Orchard's Pier is the center of the recreational activities. Extending nearly 500 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, the Pier features shops, fast food, and games of skill. During the summer many special events are planned to entertain and mesmerize everyone in the family including festivals, fairs, free concerts, street dances, and fireworks almost every Thursday night. Besides the Pier, the beachfront businesses offer gift and souvenir shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. 

This race features a beach start in soft sand. After running into the water, athletes will make their way through shallow water, so practice your dolphin dives. The swim will be a rectangular point to point swim, and athletes will have a quarter mile run from swim exit to transition.

The bike course starts out flat and fast before taking riders into a series of rolling hills, giving them the chance to experience the beauty of the surrounding Maine farmland and countryside. Tall pine trees provide shade over much of the course, which winds through Saco, Dayton, Lyman, Waterboro, Hollis, and Old Orchard Beach. Most of the climbing is completed by the midway point with a long low grade climb on Route 5 (miles 10-15) and some rollers on South Waterboro Road (miles 19-25). The back half of the course consists of some fast, flat, downhill sections that bring you back into Saco. After that it's a relatively flat and fast ride into T2. 

The run course is an out-and-back, giving athletes the chance to finish out the race on a flat and fast course that includes sweeping views of the Scarborough Marsh and over a portion of the storied Eastern Trail. Athletes will cross the finish line in downtown Old Orchard Beach to celebrate their accomplishments.