Annecy Triathlon race guide: course, swim, bike and run breakdown

One of Europe's cleanest bodies of water. Cold in May (15-17°C), wetsuit mandatory. Exceptional visibility, easy sighting.

Cold water is the main challenge: cold-water training in a lake or cool pool ahead of the race.

• Full wetsuit mandatory
• Cold-water lake training from April
• Extended warmup recommended

Hilly course through the Bauges massif and around the lake. Col du Semnoz often on the L program (1,200 m elevation). Road bike preferred on L.

Strategy: strict pacing on climbs, watch technical descents. Possible wind along the lake.

• Col work 2×/wk in specific phase for L
• 80-100 km simulations with elevation
• Power meter strongly recommended

Flat course along Lake Annecy. Superb setting, present crowds downtown. M format = 1 lap, L format = loops.

Usually cool conditions (May). Strategy: even pacing, careful on fueling timing.

• Flat target-pace running in prep
• Fueling adapted to format duration
• Hydration strategy tested in prep

Strategy: the cold and the hilly bike

Two traps at Annecy: cold water that can surprise the unacclimated and cause a bad swim, and the hilly bike that punishes bad pacing.

Cold-water prep and col work are the two pillars of a good Annecy race.

Logistics: Haute-Savoie tourism

Annecy is 4h from Paris. Plenty but expensive accommodation in May. Camping is an alternative.

May weather: 10-20°C in valleys, cooler at altitude. Mid-weight bike kit, arm warmers mandatory.