Guides · Cycling in Taiwan
IRONMAN in Gurye, Korea｜Li Yun Chen, 9:43:28, Second in Age Group
Li Yun Chen finished IRONMAN in Gurye, Korea in 9:43:28, second in her age group. The October 4 race in Korea covered a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42.2 km run. Our driver, nicknamed “Taichung’s Li Ronghao”, accompanied the athlete. We keep the car-pickup and recon notes, add lakeside queue and venue photos, and update race details from the final 2026 athlete guide.
Li Yun Chen’s finish
Li Yun Chen finished IRONMAN in Gurye, Korea in 9 hours 43 minutes 28 seconds, taking second place in her age group. The result is based on the tracking screenshot shared on October 5; the personal result link below provides updates.
IRONMAN Gurye at a glance
The 2026 race took place on October 4. The final guide scheduled a rolling start from 07:00 to 07:20. Individual timing starts at the start mat, with limits of 2 hours 20 minutes for the swim, 10 hours 30 minutes cumulatively to finish the bike, and 17 hours overall. Scheduled course closure was 00:20 the next day, with intermediate cut-offs as well.
The swim comprises two 1.9 km laps at Jirisan Lake Park. The bike includes two 39.5 km T-shaped loops, followed by three loops between Yongbang Intersection and Gurye 1 Bridge before T2. The run comprises four 9.9 km laps and a final section of about 2.4 km to the Main Stadium. Five lap bands are required before entering the finish chute.
T1 is at Jirisan Lake Park; T2 is in the parking lot beside Jirisan Dulle-gil Center. The reported water temperature on race day was 20°C; wetsuit rules follow the organiser’s race-day announcement. These details apply to 2026; consult the relevant guide for future editions.
| Leg | Distance | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Swim | 3.8 km | Two laps of 1.9 km |
| Bike | 180 km | Two T-shaped loops, then three further loops to T2 |
| Run | 42.2 km | Four 9.9 km laps, then about 2.4 km |
Bike and bag collection after finishing
The guide schedules bike collection at T2 from 18:00 on race day to 00:50 the next day, or October 5 from 07:30 to 10:00. Allow time for collecting both the bike and equipment when arranging the return transfer.
Bag collection needs separate confirmation. The final guide’s schedule and bag table disagree on locations and times for Street Gear and the blue Bike Gear Bag; the bag table lists the finish-line pickup zone. Confirm the collection point for each bag with event staff before arranging the vehicle meeting point.
The driver goes ahead from Busan
He picked up a black Hyundai SUV at the airport rental lot in Busan, went through the West Busan toll gate and headed west into South Jeolla. The athlete's bike and luggage travel in the same car, so there is no second mode of transport to arrange after landing.
Once there, he went out with the athlete for a ride. In the photos the athlete is on a TT bike with two bottles behind the saddle, and the green sign at the junction points to Hwagae Market and Ssanggyesa temple beside local road 861. Hwagae Market sits on the Seomjin River, so one ride here before the race gives a feel for the road surface and the wind along the river.
What a support car can do at an IRONMAN
IRONMAN competition rules prohibit outside assistance. During the race, athletes may accept help only from officials, aid station volunteers and the organiser's neutral support. Food, drink or parts handed over by friends or a private car count as a violation and can mean disqualification. So on race day the support car does not ride alongside the athlete.
The car's work sits before and after the race. On this trip that means the following.
- Airport pickup with bike and luggage in one car
- Recon rides in the days before the race
- Moving between registration, bike check-in and transition
- Taking travelling family and friends to spectator points on race day
- Collecting the athlete, bike and bags after the finish and driving back to the hotel
Racing in Taiwan? Same car, same crew
In Taiwan our everyday work is airport transfers, round-island support and race SAG support. Whether a support car may hand out supplies during a race depends on each event's rules. We have written up the traffic control and support rules for the Twin Towers ride and the Wuling KOM, worth a read before you register.
FAQ
Can a support car hand supplies to an athlete during an IRONMAN?
No. IRONMAN rules prohibit outside assistance; food, drink and parts may only come from official aid stations and neutral support. The support car handles transport, equipment and luggage before and after the race.
What is the time limit at IRONMAN Gurye?
The final 2026 guide sets 2h20 for the swim, 10h30 cumulatively to finish the bike and 17h overall from each athlete’s swim start. Intermediate cut-offs are 13:45 at Namdo Bridge Turn, 16:40 at Gurye Exit of Naengcheon Interchange, and 23:00 at Park Golf Entrance. Course closure is scheduled for 00:20 the next day; officials adjust enforcement to individual start times.
Sources
- IRONMAN Gurye Korea 官方賽事頁
- 2026 IRONMAN Gurye 最終版選手手冊 v4（時程、賽道、關門與裝備領取）
- Li Yun Chen｜27｜IRONMAN Gurye 2026 個人成績
Rules and road conditions change — always check the official announcements before you travel.
Related guides
- Taiwan Twin Towers 520: Support Vehicles, Checkpoints, and What to Know
- Road Control on the KOM Route: When the Highway Opens and Why You Cannot Ride at Night
- Flying a Bike from Korea to Taiwan, Baggage Rules and What It Actually Costs
Need a support vehicle?
Tell us your plan and we will suggest an option based on group size, bike count, and days.