
More than 3,000 participants leave satisfied this Sunday after participating in the La Tour Genève Triathlon.
From novices to experts, the variety of race formats offered attracted crowds, with 38% participating in their first triathlon. A victim of its success, the event had to refuse several hundred applicants and close several races a few weeks before the event.
The excitement was felt throughout the weekend, from the participants but also from the public, who came in large numbers to encourage the triathletes. The atmosphere was lively, punctuated by spectators equal to the exploits.
Saturday welcomed experienced triathletes as well as beginners.
The Standard/Olympic format (1.5km swim, 40km bike ride, 10km run) got the ball rolling at 8 a.m. Placed in a row, the 940 triathletes set off from Bains des Pâquis. Coming out of the water, they got on their bikes to tackle, on several occasions, the famous Montée de l'Impératrice before passing in front of the Palais des Nations and the WTO. Finally, they left the bike to put on their sneakers and run in the parks along Lake Geneva.
Guillaume Martin, who was doing his first triathlon, declared “The climb of the Empress was a great challenge but I was well prepared. The atmosphere was great and the courses superb. What a privilege to swim in Lake Geneva and drive on a closed road. I will come back next year to beat my record. »
Very happy with his first place on the Standard, Théo Lachat declared “Having registered at the last minute because he was on the waiting list and having made the decision on a whim! »
Then 404 beginners set off in the Discovery format (250m swimming, 8.5km cycling, 2.5km running). An ideal formula to test the triple effort and get a taste for it. This is the case of Kévin and Victoria, both Belgians, who got motivated a few weeks ago to discover the discipline together. “We were looking for a challenge to take on together. The Discovery distance was perfect for our first triathlon! The setting was magnificent and what's more, the atmosphere all along the route was great! A very nice experience that makes you want to do more! »
The sponsor of the event, Silke Pan, also had a lot of fun on the course. Upon arrival, joy could be seen on her face and she also committed to coming back next year.
Finally, the day ended with the most popular format, which has been complete for several months: the Short (500m swim, 17km bike ride, 5km run). At 6 p.m., the 940 individual and relay participants took the plunge. They too had to face the famous rise of the Empress. The finish of the foot race at sunset, on the quays of Mont Blanc with the Jet d'eau in the background, created a magical and festive atmosphere, perfect for lingering and savoring the glass of victory.
For athletes wishing to share the effort and the pleasure, each race format (Discovery, Short, Standard, Half) was possible in relay. So swimmers could pass the baton to cyclists then to running aficionados.
From the “smallest” to the “biggest”, all heroes.
On Sunday, with weather conditions as ideal as the day before, the Bains des Pâquis saw a succession of our juniors but also the 625 participants in the Half of the weekend. The Half, a new format never before seen in French-speaking Switzerland, put the most determined triathletes to the test.
They got up very early this morning to show up at Parc de Change. The start was given at 7 a.m., in the “cool”, for an exceptional challenge. After 1.9km of swimming in the crystal clear waters of Lake Geneva, we had to cycle 90km on the right and left banks of Geneva and stand up to the Montée de l'Impératrice 4 times. Finally, 21.1km of running (a half-marathon) along the lake and through the Geneva parks, alternating shade and sun, awaited our champions. The fastest, Thomas Huwiler will take 03h53m39s to complete it.
A first major challenge, prepared well in advance for Maria Perret with the precious support of the Main Partner of the event, La Tour Medical Group: “The event went very, very well, I am super happy because I crossed the finish line. My goal was to finish the race and enjoy doing it. The objective has been largely achieved! I had a magnificent sporting and human experience. I hope that through the videos I have inspired other people to take on challenges! »
During this time, it was our juniors who set off for an aquathlon (swimming and running) over distances appropriate to their age. Our toddlers also put on a show, to the great pleasure of their parents.
At the finish of the Half, Thomas Huwiler, sponsor of the event and big winner of the event, already 4 times champion, exclaimed with a smile: “At the end of the race I felt super fresh and I felt like I could go on and on! Thank you to the City of Geneva for being able to organize this event in the heart of the city. I plan to come back in 2020! »
A word from the organizers
Eric Monnot, President of the Geneva Triathlon Association, declared: “We are delighted to have made Geneva vibrate for another year with this event which has become a must in the triathlon calendar. This edition was incredible and we look forward to seeing you all on July 11 and 12, 2020.”
Finally, Benjamin Chandelier, Director of the event, would like to send a little word to all the participants of the weekend: “It is with joy and pride that we close this 30th edition which has broken all records. I would like to congratulate all the participants of the weekend for their achievements. On behalf of the organizing committee, I would also like to thank our Main Partner La Tour Medical Group and all our partners who support us. A big thank you to the competent authorities and administrations of the City and Canton of Geneva and other municipalities crossed by our routes for their support and for allowing us to organize the event in such good conditions. And finally, a huge thank you to all our volunteers for their invaluable help and without whom the event could not take place.”
Key figures
30th edition
5 race formats over two days
3007 participants
more than 600 people on the waiting list
625 participants in the Half individual and relay format
940 participants in Standard individual and relay format
404 participants in the Individual Discovery and Relay
940 participants in the Individual Short and Relay
98 participants in the Junior Races
The three best represented clubs: Triathlon Club Genève, Geneva Triathlon, Publier Triathlon
400 volunteers
38% are doing their first triathlon
30% women and 70% men
Around 70 nationalities represented including: Switzerland, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Japan, Netherlands, Romania, Senegal
Top 5 nationalities: Switzerland, France, Spain, England and Italy
Top 3 cantons: Geneva, Vaud and Friborg
Youngest participant: 6 years old
Oldest participant: 69 years old
Average age: 36 years old