Triathlons in the Hautes-Pyrénées

In the southwest of France, somewhere between the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and the Haute-Garonne lies the destination for your future excursion 📍. If you're looking for a place to test your calves, warm 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 most hilly 🎢. The local cities of Tarbes, Lourdes, and Bagnères-de-Bigorre are not known for their flat and rolling environment. You're in for a workout for both your legs and your eyes 🤩. Between two strokes, you can admire the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the Massif du Néouvielle, and the summit of Vignemale. These rocky giants might impress you with their size and grandeur, but don't let them discourage you—show everyone what you're made of 🔥. Here, every elevation gain is earned, but the reward is always worth the effort 🏔️.

To organize your season, take a look at our local calendar specially designed for the occasion 📅. From May to September, you'll have plenty to keep you busy and enjoy thrilling weekends 👹. For the first event of the season, sign up for the Triathlon des Pyrénées in Saint-Lary-Soulan, with a spectacular start at Lac de Payolle 💨. Of course, "spectacular" means the view is stunning, not that you'll be launched hundreds of meters in front of dozens of spectators 🤦‍♂️. For the start, you'll rely only on your legs (and your arms 🏊), not any war machine. This race is ideal for immersing yourself in nature, breathing the fresh mountain air, and burning off all your extra carbohydrates 🫠. Once you've caught your breath, check out the September events: the famous Balnéaman in Loudenvielle and the Triathlon VautourMan in Arrens-Marsous. The first will have you splashing in the Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle before tackling the legendary passes like Peyresourde or Val Louron-Azet. Plus, if you're a fan of cyclosportive, you'll love it since the world's greatest riders raced here for the last time in 2022, during stage 17 of the Tour de France, connecting the two towns of Saint-Gaudens and Peyragudes. Maybe this uniqueness inspired the organizers to create an event heavily focused on cycling: 100 km of biking for 1 km of swimming and 10 km of running. It’s fair to say there’s some favoritism at play 👃. For triathletes seeking more "classic" formats, but equally stunning, the Triathlon VautourMan in Arrens-Marsous offers two types of races: a size S triathlon and a size L triathlon, both starting from the foot of the Soulor 🏁. In short, every triathlon in the Hautes-Pyrénées is a human adventure where one feels infinitely small compared to the surrounding great cirques, but where one can rise through their performance 🎯.

We've mentioned it above, but it bears repeating: cycling in the 65 is a religion 🙏. You'll ride in the tracks of the greatest names of the Tour de France. Imagine climbing the Col du Tourmalet, a legendary event route 🛣️. For the record, this giant was first crossed in 1910 by Octave Lapize, who then called the organizers "assassins"! It certainly hints at the challenge level, right? 😅 Whichever event you choose, you'll need a significant dose of energy. But if you feel overburdened, rest assured: no elevation gain is planned for the swimming part 🫡. Generally considered the most challenging of the three, this discipline will almost seem the easiest 🤣. So let yourself be captivated by the setting, the crystal-clear lakes, and the cool water. Not every day do you get to swim in such a place 💦. And then, between a few leg movements, rhythmic steps, and a furious pedal stroke, don't forget to raise your head and look around. You're in the Pyrenees massif, so enjoy it 🏞️. If you're observant (but keep an eye on the road 👀), you might spot a bearded vulture, perchance the largest bird of prey in Europe 🦅. The Néouvielle nature reserve is its territory and it's not uncommon to encounter some, coming to admire the performance of the runners 📣. In the Hautes-Pyrénées, the mountain reigns, and each kilometer in the forest reminds you why the triathlon is an outdoor sport 🌲.

Once you've crossed the finish line, swap your bike plate for a good local platter: far more nourishing! 🍖 You can recharge your batteries the local way. Put away the energy gels and indulge in Garbure, the thick traditional soup that'll satisfy your hunger, or the famous Spit Cake cooked over a wood fire 🪵. If you pass through Tarbes, don't leave without tasting the Tarbes Bean 🫘, the local delicacy that melts in your mouth. The heritage also has wonderful surprises: between the Château fort de Lourdes and the Bagnères-de-Bigorre thermal baths, you'll have plenty for active recovery 😴. After spending long hours on the local paths and lands, you may not even want to return home. The warm volunteers and the festive atmosphere you'll find will make you forget about time and sore muscles 🦵.

So, ready to take on the challenge and get your name on the list of a legendary event? ✍️ You just need to choose your mountain, your distance, and onward!