On the 16th of June the first IronMan in Les Sables d’Olonne will take place, a new sporting event. Why not taking advantage of your stay in vendée to come and attend this epic triathlon ?
What is the IronMan ? A legendary triathlon created in 1978 b John and Judie Collins in Honolulu, Hawaii, outstanding by his format : swimming : 3.8 kilometers, bike : 180 kilometers and running : 42 kilometers.
The franchise set up this year on the french west coast and on the seaside resort : Les Sables d’Olonne, letting the city enter the IronMan select club. Les Sables d’Olonne is the fourth french city receiving this sporting event after Nice, Vichy and Aix-en-Provence.
The city will host the 70.3 version of the Ironman, shorter than the 140.6 version but this race is just as spetacular and intense ! This triathlon is also called the “half triathlon” meaning that only half of the initial distance, 140.6 miles, will be done. Fo this occasion ther will be more than 2000 trained sportsmen.
This is a success for the “Club des Sables Vendée Triathlon” that possesses two National Champion titles in this discipline, making them the elite regarding french triathlon.
Club’s representative spared no expense to please French and European directors of the Ironman group, proving them Les Sables d’Olonne was able to host such a race and eventuelly, in th future, a full Ironman, the 140.6 version. So, they offered their guests a flight over Les Sables city, the beach, channel, the “Remblai” the sea front, a on land presentation and an official party at the “Côte Ouest” hotel with some councillors and companies heads.
On the 16th of June, sportsmen and women will race 113 kilometers course divided in 3 steps :
Fisrt step : 1.9 kilometers swimming from Promenade Georges Clemenceau to the Vendée Globe famous channel. This time you will not be supporting brave Vendée Globe skippers but Ironman athletes from the docks !
Second step : A 90 kilometers cycling that will lead runners into Olonne’s forest, swamps but also the surronding country side, a great way to discover another side of the coast.
Third step : A 21 kilometers running in three rounds from the Remblai to Tanchet’s lake. Perfect occasion to enjoy the beauty this landscape has to offer !
You’ll be able to support athletes from the numerous bars and restaurants established on the Remblai. Total immersion in the incredible atmosphere of this race, facing the ocean and under the sun !
Ideal for the runners and the spectators thanks to exceptionnal surrondings, you should definitely not miss this event !
