ALPE D’HUEZ SHORT
Location Alpe d’Huez, France Date 26 July 2019 While its bigger brother, the Long Distance, hogs the headlines, the Alpe d’Huez Short Distance Triathlon still boasts plenty of skyward ascent over its duration.
The race begins with a 1.2km swim in the pure yet biting waters of the Lac du Verney, located at an altitude of 700m and closed to swimmers 364 days a year. The 28km bike cuts almost instantly to the tough stuff, with the climbing starting after Bourg d’Oisans to the summit of Alpe d’Huez, one of pro cycling’s most legendary climbs. The hills are continuous, with gradients consistently stuck between 10 and 13%, and elevation gain is nearly 1,500m (more than many Ironman bike legs manage in their 180km duration).
The 6.7km run course is a mixture of trail paths and roads, and athletes are tasked with battling the high-altitude conditions throughout. And not being distracted by the jaw-dropping views... alpetriathlon.com