- La Tour Genève Triathlon takes place this weekend with more than 3,000 competitors registered on 6 race formats
- New courses to meet participants' expectations
- An event for all: from the youngest to the oldest, with or without disabilities, and with respect for the environment at the heart
- The welcome of the new ambassador of the event, the cyclist who is part of the Olympic refugee team, Masomah ALI ZADA
- Imogen Simmonds, professional triathlete, to compete in the Standard format
New features for the 32nd edition
For the second consecutive year, La Tour Genève Triathlon will be held at the Eaux-Vives beach, on the left bank of Geneva. The 2021 edition welcomed a record number of participants, securing its position as the biggest triathlon in Switzerland. This year, many new features are on the programme.
The starting area for the swimming has been moved to Baby-Plage. "This change was made in order to shorten the swim-bike transition which was longer last year," explained Benjamin Chandelier, Event Director, who went on to speak about the new bike course for the Half: "We listened to the requests of our participants who wanted to do a longer bike loop. We have worked with the various communes of Geneva, Corsier, Collonge-Bellerive, Cologny, Gy, Meinier and Vandoeuvres to offer the Half triathletes a magnificent course between the city and the countryside of Geneva". Indeed, participants will now have to run the 22.5 km loop four times.
The organisers are more concerned than ever about the carbon footprint generated by the event. A carbon footprint assessment has been carried out in 2021 to better target our areas of progress and reduce all greenhouse gases. Many concrete actions have already been put in place for several years, such as the ban on distributing flyers during the event or the management of waste separation.
An event as popular as ever
As popular as ever, La Tour Genève Triathlon is expecting more than 3,000 participants this year. Registrations are still open and the last motivated athletes can register online until Thursday, July 14th, 23:59. As is always the case, some registrations are still possible on site, subject to availability.
A sport open to all
Over recent years, triathlon has become more inclusive, welcoming more varied profiles of runner. This year again, the female participation has increased (33%). The organisers of the La Tour Genève Triathlon are happy to welcome more and more women in the competitions each year.
Among these women, Imogen Simmonds, British-Swiss professional triathlete (1st in the Ironman 70.3 in Aix en Provence in 2021 and Dubai in 2020, and 3rd in the World Championships in 2020), will make her comeback on this event which is very dear to her. "Geneva is my home and I am happy to do a triathlon here surrounded by my family and friends," says the athlete who will start on Saturday in the Standard format thank includes a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run.
On the amateur side, the Frenchwoman Marine Leleu will also participate in the Standard. The sports enthusiast and role model for many amateur athletes with 467,000 followers on Instagram, was the first Frenchwoman in 2018 to complete the Enduroman, one of the world's toughest triathlons. She covered 460 km over three days to finish the event in 69 hours and 52 minutes, setting a new women's record.
A new ambassador is also joining the La Tour Genève Triathlon family. The Afghan cyclist who is part of the Olympic refugee team, Masomah ALI ZADA, arrived in France in 2017 and now lives in Lille. A civil engineering student, she combines studies and training and hopes to inspire young girls and women to follow their dreams. Masomah was the first Afghan woman cyclist to participate in the Olympic Games. She is a symbol of freedom and emancipation.
In the men's category, Thomas Huwiler, ambassador of the event and multiple winner in Geneva, will line up for the Half distance (1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and 21.1 km run). One of his biggest competitors Tom Hug from Geneva, who won the Half format last yearwill also be out to defend his title.
Village activities
From Friday 15 to Sunday 17 July, the Eaux-Vives beach will be animated by the various partner and exhibitor stands of the La Tour Genève Triathlon.
The Title Partner, La Tour Hospital, will offer the public the opportunity to evaluate their movement with a 3D analysis system, to assess their muscle strength and to exchange and receive advice from health professionals.
The public will also be able to do their last-minute shopping, learn more about Enervit, Zoggs and the charity partnership with Switzerland for UNHCR and enjoy the atmosphere of the village and the food trucks that will be present all weekend.
New this year: A conference dedicated to sport and recovery from injury will be given by Marine Leleu and two experts from La Tour Hospital, François Fourchet and Souheil Sayegh. This conference will take place on Saturday 16 July at 5pm on the podium esplanade.
Event schedule
Friday 15th July:
- Exhibitors' village: 4pm - 7pm
- Bib collection: 4pm - 7pm
Saturday 16th July:
- Standard: 7.30am
- Discovery: 2.45pm
- Short: 6pm
- Exhibitors' village: 8.30am - 6.30pm (food truck until 10pm)
- Bib collection: 6.30am - 6.30pm
Sunday 17 July:
- Half: 7am
- Kidsathlon 6-10 years: 9am
- Juniors 11-13 years: 9.15am
- Exhibitors' village: 9am - 5pm
- Bib collection: 6am - 10am
