Kenting 70.3 Logistics: Getting There, Staying, Getting Around

Getting there: Kaohsiung (KHH), then overland

The nearest airport is Kaohsiung (KHH). From there you need to get to Kenting, at the southern tip of Taiwan, inside the Kenting National Park area. Official transfer times and options aren't published in the sources we checked: book your transfer in advance and don't leave it to the last day, especially if you're traveling with your bike in a case. If you're flying long-haul, consider a connection through Taipei or a direct flight into Kaohsiung, and build in at least one full buffer day between landing and bike check-in.

The race hub: everything at the Howard Beach Resort

The race revolves around a single point: the Howard Beach Resort. There or in the immediate vicinity you'll find transition, the swim exit from Little Bay, and the run start/finish. The expo is also held at the resort: for the 2026 edition, exhibitors listed opening hours of Friday 12:00-18:00, Saturday 10:00-17:00, and Sunday (race day) 10:00-16:00 in the Howard Hotel hall.

The practical takeaway: the number one logistical variable is how far your accommodation is from the resort. Staying within walking distance of the hub eliminates parking, shuttles, and stress at 4:30 a.m. The alternative is the Kenting town area, which the run course also passes through.

The days before: what happens and when

Based on athlete reports from past editions, race eve is packed: open-water swim practice in Little Bay, bike check-in at transition, and race packet pickup. The technical briefing is also available on video, with chapters on swim rules, transitions, bike, and run: watch it before you travel, not the night before the race. Exact check-in and briefing times for 2026 should be verified in the official athlete guide.

One race-specific detail: the swim exit goes through a channel, a wash-down zone, a chute, and stairs up to transition. In the days before, walk that stretch: it's a ten-minute recon that buys you time and clarity on race day.

Bike: transport and support

No official bike transport services were advertised for this edition in the sources we checked: plan to travel with your own hard case or check with local operators. Recent expos featured tech stands from industry brands, but don't count on specific spare parts being available: bring a spare derailleur hanger, tires/tubes, and your tested race nutrition.

Family and extras

Kenting is a beach town inside a national park: ocean on three sides, beaches, and the Kenting night market, mentioned in athlete vlogs as a mandatory post-race stop. For anyone spectating, having the swim, transition, and finish all in the same spot makes race day easy to follow: set up in the resort area and you'll see almost everything.

Registration and costs

Up-to-date entry fees and costs aren't published in the sources we checked: verify on the official race page at ironman.com, where you'll also find registration opening dates and conditions.

What to do now

1. Book a flight into KHH and accommodation within walking distance of the Howard Beach Resort: it's the single most valuable logistics decision. 2. Lock in your Kaohsiung-Kenting transfer both ways, with room for the bike. 3. Put race eve on your calendar: swim practice, bike check-in, walking recon of the swim exit. 4. Download the athlete guide as soon as it's out and double-check expo, briefing, and check-in times.