IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy: My Review After Completing It and My Advice for August 2026

The IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy is a race that left a mark on me.

I completed it in 2023, in the 70.3 format, with a final time of 5 h 32 min 38 s.

My times were as follows:

• swim: 41 min 34 s;

• bike: 2 h 43 min 23 s;

• run: 1 h 56 min 37 s.

It was my third long-distance triathlon. I was mainly looking for experience, with the idea of one day doing a full-distance in the back of my mind.

At that time, the IRONMAN Les Sables d'Olonne wasn't officially announced, but the desire was already there.

And Vichy was clearly an important race in that journey.

It's probably even the most demanding 70.3 I've done. Not necessarily because everything is tough from start to finish, but because the race can quickly become tricky, especially with the heat.

To summarize my opinion in one sentence: yes, I recommend Vichy to a triathlete, but you have to come prepared.

Vichy is a magnificent, well-organized race, with a great environment, but it's not a 70.3 to take lightly.

Vichy in August: a magnificent but demanding race

When you think of Vichy, you quickly imagine a beautiful spa town, the banks of the Allier, the parks, the wide avenues, a summer atmosphere.

And it's true: the setting is superb.

The running course is really pleasant, especially along the water and in Napoleon III Park. The environment gives a real identity to the race.

But there's one point not to underestimate: the heat.

During my race, it was very hot. Around 34°C on the run. And at that point, even if the course is pleasant, everything becomes more complicated.

The heart rate goes up.
The pace slows down.
Aid stations become essential.
Every shaded area becomes precious.
And the slightest mistake made on the bike then costs you on the run.

That's why I would describe Vichy as a race that is:

• hot;

• tricky;

• magnificent;

• well-organized;

• quite demanding;

• very interesting for progressing in long distance.

It's not necessarily the easiest race to start with. It can be suitable for a first 70.3, but only if you arrive with genuine preparation and good effort management.

For a triathlete who already has some experience, however, it's a very beautiful race.

My goal before the start

I didn't come to Vichy just to set a time.

My main goal was to gain experience.

It was my third long-distance triathlon, and I wanted to continue learning:

• how to better manage effort;

• how to better manage nutrition;

• to confirm my sensations on a 70.3;

• to see how I reacted to a demanding race;

• to project myself, perhaps, towards a full Ironman.

In hindsight, that's exactly what this race brought me.

Vichy allowed me to understand that I was capable of managing a long race, even in difficult conditions.

It's also the race that mentally shifted me towards the following idea:

"Okay, I might be ready for a full."

And for that alone, this medal has a special value.

Swimming in Vichy: calm, enjoyable, but without a wetsuit

Swimming in Vichy left me with a good memory.

The water was calm because we swim in a basin. It's not like sea swimming with waves, currents, or swells that can complicate the start.

The start was quite smooth, and I really enjoyed the dive to begin. It immediately gives a slightly different, more dynamic, almost spectacular feeling.

However, there are two important things to know.

Firstly, the water was very murky. You can't see much. It's not necessarily an issue if you're used to open water, but it can be surprising.

Secondly, the water was warm. During my race, swimming was done without a wetsuit.

And that's something you really need to anticipate.

If you're preparing for Vichy, I strongly advise you not to do all your open water sessions with a wetsuit. You also need to know how to swim without one, because on race day, depending on the water temperature, it might be prohibited.

For me, the swim was enjoyable, calm, and well-organized, but it still requires a minimum of experience.

My advice for swimming

The main advice is simple: train in open water without a wetsuit.

Even if you swim well in a pool, even if you're comfortable with a wetsuit, it's not exactly the same feeling.

Without a wetsuit:

• buoyancy is different;

• body position in the water changes;

• mentally, you might feel less secure;

• you have to accept seeing less well;

• you need to manage the start and other swimmers without panicking.

Vichy isn't a dangerous swim, from what I remember. The water is calm and the start is smooth.

But if you're new to 70.3 and have never swum in open water without a wetsuit, it's not ideal.

Absolutely avoid discovering this sensation on race morning.

The bike course in Vichy: hilly, beautiful, but requiring intelligent management

The Vichy bike course is hilly.

It's not a mountain course, but it's not a completely flat course where you can comfortably settle into a constant power from start to finish either.

There are climbs, accelerations, descents, some sections to watch out for, and roads that can sometimes be damaged.

Overall, I found the road surface to be quite good, but you need to stay alert.

Descents require vigilance. You can lose time if you're too tense, but you can also take unnecessary risks if you absolutely want to gain a few seconds.

On the bike, my advice is clear: you must remain cautious.

Not necessarily cautious in the sense of "not pushing", but cautious in managing your effort.

Because the real difficulty often comes later.

If you push too hard on the bike, you risk paying dearly for it on the run, especially if it's hot.

Aerobars, deep section wheels and bike strategy

For me, aerobars are strongly recommended in Vichy.

There are enough sections where you can maintain an aero position and gain efficiency. It's not a race where you're constantly braking, turning, accelerating, or climbing.

A triathlon bike or a road bike with aerobars can therefore be beneficial.

Regarding wheels, deep section wheels can work very well. A disc wheel could also be considered depending on the conditions and the triathlete's level.

During my race, I didn't experience any particular wind, but you should always check the conditions before the race.

The most important point remains effort management.

Even if you feel good, even if your legs are responding, even if you want to push, you have to keep in mind that the run can be very hot.

In Vichy, you don't just win your race on the bike.

You can especially lose it by doing too much.

Nutrition on the bike: don't test anything on race day

On the bike, you really need to stick to nutrition that you've already tested in training.

For my part, I used Maurten nutrition.

But the most important thing isn't necessarily the brand. The most important thing is to have worked on your carbohydrate intake and hydration before the race.

In Vichy, with the heat, hydration becomes even more important.

I would advise starting with 2 or 3 bottles, depending on your strategy, your tolerance, and the planned aid stations.

You need to avoid two mistakes:

• starting with too little to drink;

• waiting until you're thirsty to drink.

In a hot race, when dehydration sets in, it's often too late to fully get back in the game.

The run: beautiful, but very hot

The run is the part I enjoyed the most in terms of environment.

The course is pleasant, with sections along the water and in Napoleon III Park. There are shaded areas, especially in the park, which is very welcome when the temperature rises.

The atmosphere was also very good.

There was a large crowd, and for supporters, it's an enjoyable race to follow. The town is nearby, there's shade, places to wait during the bike section, and then a great atmosphere on the run.

But despite all that, the heat remains the main topic.

During my race, I gradually suffered.

I didn't blow up all at once, but the heat caught up with me little by little. The pace becomes harder to maintain, aid stations become survival points, and you have to accept slowing down if necessary.

In these conditions, the run becomes as much mental as physical.

My best advice for the run

My best advice for a successful run in Vichy: conserve energy.

It seems obvious, but many athletes arrive at T2 already drained.

In a cool 70.3, you can sometimes compensate for an overly ambitious bike ride.

In Vichy, with the heat, it's much more complicated.

You need to arrive at the run with fuel still in the tank, mental strength, and some margin.

Then, you have to accept that heat is part of the race.

You shouldn't fight against it as if it didn't exist.

You have to work with it:

• drink more;

• cool down at each aid station;

• use shaded areas when they are there;

• adapt your pace;

• monitor your sensations;

• stay clear-headed.

A cap is essential in my opinion. Sunglasses are highly recommended for comfort.

Sponges, cold water, watermelon at aid stations: everything counts.

The real issue in Vichy: the heat

For me, the real issue in Vichy is the heat.

The bike course is hilly, yes.
Swimming without a wetsuit can be surprising, yes.
But the heat can really transform the race.

What I wish I had done more of before the race is adapt to the heat.

In hindsight, I would have incorporated specific training sessions:

• running at midday;

• doing certain sessions when it's hot;

• learning to drink more;

• testing salt intake;

• getting the body used to running in high temperatures;

• learning to slow down without panicking.

Of course, you shouldn't do just anything in training. You need to remain gradual and cautious.

But arriving in Vichy without any heat adaptation is not ideal.

Hydration, salt and electrolytes

In Vichy, I would advise drinking more than usual.

Not excessively or haphazardly, but with a real strategy.

Heat increases fluid loss. If you wait until you're in trouble, you risk suffering.

Regarding salt, I strongly recommend it.

Electrolytes remain important, but salt can really help if you sweat a lot and tend to lose a lot in hot conditions.

The most important thing is to test beforehand.

On race day, you don't discover:

• a new drink;

• a new gel;

• a new dose of salt;

• a new hydration frequency;

• a new nutrition protocol.

Vichy rewards athletes who come prepared, not those who improvise.

Organization: very high standard

Regarding organization, my memory is excellent.

It's IRONMAN standard: clean, fluid, well-executed.

Bib collection, bike check-in, the bike park, access to the site: everything went smoothly.

I had stayed with family about 40 minutes from the race, and it worked out very well. Staying very close to the start is comfortable, but not essential if you organize yourself properly.

There were car parks nearby, and I didn't have any major problems accessing the site.

For companions, Vichy is truly pleasant.

The city is right next door, there are shaded areas, places to walk during the bike part, and then a great atmosphere on the run.

The aid stations were very well organized, notably with fresh water, basins for cooling down, watermelon, and everything you'd expect from a good organization.

Practical advice for race morning

My advice for the morning: arrive calm, rested, and don't neglect nutrition or hydration.

We often think about equipment, the bike, the wetsuit, shoes, the helmet.

But in a race like Vichy, what can change everything is the condition you arrive in at the start.

You must avoid starting already stressed, tired, or dehydrated.

Prepare your gear the day before.
Check your nutrition.
Drink properly.
Eat your usual breakfast.
Arrive with plenty of time.
Don't exhaust yourself even before the start.

A 70.3 starts long before the gun fires.

My 3 main tips for success in Vichy

If I had to give only three pieces of advice to someone preparing for IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy, these would be them.

1. Prepare for the heat

This is the number one point.

Vichy in August can be very hot. You need to get your body used to running, drinking, and managing effort in these conditions.

2. Work on long bike climbs

The bike course is hilly. You need to be able to maintain a steady effort on the climbs without overdoing it.

It's not just a matter of power, it's a matter of management.

3. Work on nutrition and hydration

In a 70.3, nutrition can make the difference between a controlled race and a suffered one.

In Vichy, with the heat, this is even truer.

The 3 mistakes to avoid

1. Giving it your all on the bike

This is the classic mistake.

You feel good, you push, you overtake competitors, and then you arrive at the run already drained.

In Vichy, this mistake can be very costly.

2. Skipping aid stations

Even if you feel good, you shouldn't neglect the aid stations.

Drinking, cooling down, taking a few seconds to stay clear-headed: this can save your race.

3. Never having swum in open water without a wetsuit

If wetsuits are prohibited and you've never tested this situation, the start can become much more stressful.

It's better to discover this in training, not on race day.

Is Vichy suitable for a first 70.3?

I would say yes, but with caution.

Yes, because the organization is very good, the setting is magnificent, the swim is calm, and the run is pleasant.

But it's not necessarily the easiest 70.3 to start with.

The heat and the hilly bike course can make the race demanding.

For a first 70.3, Vichy can be an excellent choice if you are serious about your preparation, particularly regarding:

• effort management;

• bike climbs;

• nutrition;

• hydration;

• heat;

• swimming without a wetsuit.

If you're looking for a very easy race to discover the distance without too many pitfalls, this might not be the most obvious choice.

But if you want a beautiful race, with a real challenge and a great atmosphere, Vichy has a lot going for it.

And for a first full IRONMAN in Vichy?

For the full distance, I don't have direct experience of the distance in Vichy.

So I won't pretend.

But based on my feelings about the 70.3, I would say this: for a first full, Vichy can be a good choice if you already have a good level and proper preparation.

On the other hand, if you're borderline on distance, if you mismanage heat, or if you lack cycling experience, it can get complicated.

On a full distance, everything is amplified.

Heat counts even more.
Nutrition counts even more.
Bike management counts even more.
Mental strength counts even more.

Vichy can be a great race to transition to an Ironman, but it's not an option to be taken lightly.

What I would change if I went back to Vichy

If I were to do Vichy again, I would better prepare for heat adaptation.

That's really the point I take away.

I wouldn't necessarily change my entire preparation, but I would add more specific sessions:

• running in controlled heat;

• pace work in hot conditions;

• hydration tests;

• more precise salt strategy;

• mental work on hot running;

• better anticipation of cooling at aid stations.

I think I could have managed the end of the race better with specific preparation.

Vichy is not just an endurance race.

It's a race of management.

My Vichy medal

My Vichy medal represents something special.

It's the most demanding 70.3 I've done, and it's the one that made me say:

"Okay, I'm ready for a full."

After the race, I kept it around my neck until I got to the family accommodation.

Then, once I got home, it ended up in a closet.

At the time, I didn't have a medal display yet.

And looking back, I find that a shame.

Because a medal like that shouldn't disappear into the back of a closet.

It represents too much:

• the heat;

• the effort;

• the doubt;

• the experience;

• the progress;

• the trigger for the full;

• the pride of having finished.

It's exactly for this kind of memory that I then created FinisherDisplay.

So that medals don't remain hidden.

So that they have a real place.

So that a 70.3, an Ironman, a marathon, or a trail is not just a line in a results file, but a visible daily reminder.

Why display your medal after Vichy?

After a race like Vichy, the medal has real value.

It doesn't just say "I finished."

It says:

"I endured the heat."
"I managed the bike."
"I ran when it was tough."
"I crossed that line."
"I learned something."
"I'm ready for what's next."

Displaying your medal isn't about showing that you're better than others.

It's simply giving a place to an experience that mattered.

A medal display allows you to keep this trace visible, along with your race bib, other races, and future goals.

For a triathlete, it's even more powerful.

Each medal tells a story:

• the first triathlon;

• the first 70.3;

• the first full;

• the race where everything went well;

• the one where you had to hang on;

• the one that made you want to go further.

Vichy is one of those races that can mark a journey.

My final opinion on IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy

I recommend IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy.

But I wouldn't recommend it to someone who just wants to tick off an easy race.

Vichy is a beautiful race, well organized, with a magnificent setting and a great atmosphere.

But it requires preparation.

You must respect:

• the heat;

• the hilly bike course;

• nutrition;

• hydration;

• running in high temperatures;

• the possibility of swimming without a wetsuit.

For a triathlete who wants to progress, gain experience, and experience a truly great race, it's an excellent choice.

For me, Vichy was more than a 70.3.

It was a stage.

A demanding, hot, tricky, but magnificent race.

And above all, a race that made me realize I could aim higher.

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