Triathlons in Switzerland

With more than 1,500 lakes and water flowing straight down from the glaciers, Switzerland had everything it needed to become a triathlon destination. Swims take place in Lake Thun, Lake Geneva or high-altitude lakes where the thermometer rarely goes above 18°C in summer 🥶. Organizers announce the water temperature a few days before the start, and triathletes adjust their plan accordingly. The bike courses then string together one mountain pass after another, and the run is often tackled with legs already well spent.

The season stays short, from June to early September, giving the lakes time to warm up a little. Local clubs oversee the events with a level of professionalism that reassures beginners: organized swim starts, guarded bike parks, briefings in two or three languages. The XS and S formats serve as an entry point, often on a flat loop, while the long distances head off into the side valleys. Wetsuits are almost always allowed 🏊. Transitions, meanwhile, stay dry in covered areas when the weather turns.

The Swiss triathlon calendar comes down to a few standout events. The Ironman Switzerland - Thun sets up its village on the shores of the Bernese lake. The Ironman 70.3 Switzerland offers the shorter version, more manageable in a single day. The Valais Triathlon Festival brings together several distances in the Rhône valley. As for the Swissman Xtreme Triathlon, it plays in a category of its own 🙂.

The latter finishes its run on the slopes of Kleine Scheidegg, facing the north face of the Eiger, with a mandatory support runner on the final stretch. Triathlons in Switzerland live up to their reputation as demanding but impeccably organized events. To prepare, the country's running races in Switzerland and cyclosportives offer great full-scale training sessions 💪.