Ironman Vichy


CLIP IRONMAN VICHY 2015 from Les Films Du Grand Large on Vimeo.





Location
Auvergne, France
Race website
Website link
Time of year held
August
Approx Athlete Numbers
1500
Does it typically sell out?
No
One word description for the event
Fast; hot!
Good for first iron distance race?
Yes

Tips for overseas athletes getting to the venue:
  • Fly to Limoges airport and hire a car.
  • We stayed in a small mountain village called Laprugne about 45 minutes outside Vichy and was nice to get away from the race hype pre-race but there are loads of hotels and campsites in Vichy if you wanted to stay closer.  Noticed loads of people had hired motorhomes which I would certainly consider for next time.  Being a Brit, I'm pleased we got there a few days before race day to get used to the heat as no amount of training can prepare you for racing in 38-40c


SWIM

One word description for the swim
Easy; beautiful
Single or multi-lap course?
2 laps
Typically wetsuit-legal?
Yes
Swim course description
Lake, wave start, exit between laps

Swim tips
  • Be prepared for a non-wetsuit swim.
  • The swim is in a dammed-off river so effectively creating a lake.  It is two laps with an exit after the 1st lap and about a 100m run.  
  • The water is pretty clear and once the crowds had thinned out it was a really enjoyable swim.  
  • Although it was a wetsuit swim this year (2015) apparently is has been non wetsuit and even shortened in the past so prepare for the possibility of racing non wetsuit.  Apparently this water temp was 23.6 this year so right on the edge!!

BIKE


One word description for the bike
Fast; false-flat
GPS map link for the bike course
Map link
Video link for the bike course

Single or multi-lap course?
2 laps

Bike Course description
  • One easy climb at start of each lap followed by fast good roads.

Bike Course tips
  • Nice easy course, but you do need to be able to hold aero position for 180km.
  • The bike course can get some harsh cross winds and certainly this was the case on the second lap, as well as getting blisteringly hot. 
  • It's a false-flat so not much opportunity for rest and it does have several out of the saddle short sharp climbs.  
  • Effectively you're racing between villages though open farmland so the course is really beautiful but there is little shade if it's hot and the wind can catch you out.  
  • Mostly the road surface is OK but a few sections where it's a bit sketchy.


RUN

One word description for the run
Flat
GPS map link for the run course

Video link for the run course

Single or multi-lap course?
4 laps

Run course description 
  • Good support, fast and flat.
  • The run basically takes you on a tour of Vichy running on both sides of the river in-between 2 bridges with a brief diversion in to the town. 
  • It's 4 laps of 10.5k and pancake flat which also makes it monotonous as you can see someway ahead of you.  
  • There was a 70.3 the day before so loads of those guys had hung about and were drinking down in the many bars and cafes you run past by the river, this led to some amazing support.  
  • The aid stations were around every 1.5k and the volunteers were absolutely brilliant.

Run course tips
  • Put one foot in front the other, and don't walk.
  • Start steady and build.  
  • Keep your body temp low and make the most of the mist showers, hoses etc.  
  • If it's likely to be hot be careful with not taking on too many gels or excessive carbs as this will lead to stomach issues.....

SUPPORTERS

Tips for supporters get the most out of watching the event?
  • Use the lake boat to get from one part of the run route to the other, this allows you to see your athlete twice each lap.
  • There are great vantage points on the swim and spectators can get right up close at the swim exit points which  creates a good atmosphere.  
  • For the first couple of laps on the run I'd suggest they walk out on to the river promenade and support from a cafe / bar before making their way back to the temporary stadium for the 3rd lap and finish.

Great places to eat:


Best bike or tri shop in town:
  • The expo was pretty awesome and had loads of stalls.

Best pick for accommodation:

Best things for the kids to do:
  • There wasn't much to do for young children so think carefully about what you're going to do to entertain them especially if it's hot.  

Cool things to do after the race:


Any warnings that people should know about before entering:
  • It's hot which can seriously affect times and does add to the toughness of the race so make sure you're able to get some warm weather training in. 
  • I would train to take on more carbs through drink than you'd usually do in a cooler race.

OVERALL

 

General tips:


Best thing about this race:
  • Fast and good for spectators.
  • Stunning location, great support and easy to get to from Lyon airport.

Anything negative about this race:
  • Can be very hot, be warned if you think “it’s only France how hot can it get”.
  • No proper race briefing which would have been useful with the briefing taking the form of a presentation on a big screen.  The officials didn't really seem that knowledgeable about the event / logistics at times.


RACE REPORTS AND OTHER VIDEO LINKS SUPPLIED





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Thank you to the following people who have contributed content to this page: Lee Thomas; Jamie Warren



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