Triathlons in the Hautes-Pyrénées

In the southwest of France, somewhere between the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and the Haute-Garonne is the destination of your future excursion 📍. If you're looking for a place to test your calves, heat up your thighs, and swim in clear waters, you've come to the right place. This department, adorned with the number 65, is not the largest or the most populated in Occitanie, but undoubtedly the hilliest 🎢. The local cities of Tarbes, Lourdes, and Bagnères-de-Bigorre are not known for their flat and smooth environment. You'll feel it in your legs, but also get an eyeful 🤩. Between two crawl strokes, you can admire the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the Massif du Néouvielle, or the summit of Vignemale. These rocky giants might impress you with their size and grandeur, but don't let them crush you—show everyone what you're made of 🔥. Here, every elevation gain is earned, but the reward always matches the effort 🏔️.

Dates to mark in your calendar

To plan your season, take a look at our local calendar specially designed for the occasion 📅. From May to September, you'll have plenty to do and enjoy wild weekends 👹. For the season opener, register for the Triathlon des Pyrénées in Saint-Lary-Soulan, with a breathtaking start at Lac de Payolle 💨. Of course, "breathtaking" is just an expression to say the view is superb, not the act of launching you a hundred meters ahead of dozens of spectators 🤦‍♂️. For the start, you can only rely on your legs (and your arms 🏊), not on any war machine. This race is ideal for immersing yourself in nature, breathing the pure mountain air, and burning off all your surplus carbs 🫠. Once you've caught your breath, take a look at the events in September: the famous Balnéaman in Loudenvielle and the Triathlon VautourMan in Arrens-Marsous. The first will have you paddling in the Génos-Loudenvielle lake before tackling the legendary passes like Peyresourde or Val Louron-Azet. Plus, if you're a fan of cycling events, you should find your happiness since the world's greatest cyclists came here last in 2022, during the 17th stage of the Tour de France, linking the cities of Saint-Gaudens and Peyragudes. It's perhaps even this feature that gave organizers the idea to create an event based primarily on cycling: 100 km of bike for 1 km of swimming and 10 km of running. Suffice it to say, favoritism is in the air 👃. For triathletes in search of more "classic" but equally splendid formats, the Triathlon VautourMan in Arrens-Marsous offers two types of races: a triathlon size S and a triathlon size L, both starting at the foot of Soulor 🏁. In short, each triathlon in the Hautes-Pyrénées is a human adventure where you feel infinitely small in comparison to the great surrounding cirques, but where you can rise thanks to your performances 🎯.

Somewhere between land, sky... and lake

We mentioned it above, but let's remind you: cycling in the 65 is a religion 🙏. You'll ride in the footsteps of the greatest names in the Tour de France. Imagine climbing the Col du Tourmalet, a legendary route of the event 🛣️. For the record, this giant of stone was first crossed in 1910 by Octave Lapize, who then called the organizers "murderers"! In terms of difficulty, it sets the tone, doesn't it? 😅 Whatever event you choose, you'll need a serious dose of energy. But if you think we're putting too many sticks in your wheels, let's reassure you: no elevation is planned for the swimming part 🫡. This discipline, generally considered the most difficult among the three, will almost seem the easiest 🤣. So let yourself be captivated by the setting, the lakes with clear water, and their coolness. You won't swim in a similar place every day 💦. And between a few leg movements, rhythmic strides, and a frenzied pedal, don't forget to look up and observe the surroundings. You're in the Pyrenees massif, make the most of it 🏞️. If you're attentive (but keep an eye on the road 👀), you might also spot a bearded vulture, incidentally the largest raptor in Europe 🦅. The natural reserve of Néouvielle is its territory, and it's not uncommon to see a few, coming to appreciate the runners' performance 📣. In the Hautes-Pyrénées, the mountain reigns, and each kilometer in the forest will remind you why triathlon is a sport practiced outdoors 🌲.

Gastronomy and heritage: the post-race celebration is here

Once you cross the finish line, swap your bike plate for a good local platter: much more nourishing! 🍖 You can recharge your batteries according to local customs. Put away the energy gels and make way for the Garbure, a traditional thick soup that should easily satisfy your appetite, or the famous Spit Cake cooked over a wood fire 🪵. If you pass through Tarbes, don't leave without tasting the Haricot Tarbais 🫘, the local gem that melts in your mouth. The heritage also holds many surprises: between the Lourdes Castle and the Bagnères-de-Bigorre thermal baths, you have plenty to keep you busy for active recovery 😴. After long hours spent on the local paths and lands, you won't even want to go home. The warm volunteers and the festive atmosphere you'll find here will make you forget time and soreness 🦵.

So, ready to take on the challenge and register your name in the record of a mythical event? ✍️ You only have to choose your mountain, your distance, and endavant!