AiguebeletteMan XXL

Aiguebelette-le-Lac, France · October · Independent

AiguebeletteMan XXL: lake panoramaPhoto is not from race dayFlorian Pepellin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lake panorama. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Latest edition: UNVERIFIED. First edition scheduled 3-4 Oct 2026 (organiser Mascarevents, FFTRI-labelled, entries via Eventicom). One FFTRI calendar page shows 'Annule 1 epreuve' (one event cancelled, not specified); no post-race report, results, or cancellation notice found as of 15 Oct 2026. TriMates says 2027 is pending validation. Distances conflict between sources (see notes). Marked on-hiatus pending confirmation of whether the 2026 edition ran.

Why people love it

  • Long-plus format with a 201 km (125 mi) bike, 43 km (27 mi) trail run and a 3-person relay option.
  • Calm, motorboat-free lake at 373 m (1,224 ft) in the Savoie foothills.
  • Gold, silver and bronze diplomas for finishing under 12 h, 24 h and 30 h.

Watch out for

  • No evidence yet that the first edition ran; one FFTRI listing shows an event as cancelled.
  • Sources disagree on distances: swim 4.4 or 3.8 km (2.7 or 2.4 mi), bike 201 or 180 km (112 mi).
  • Overnight bike and trail run with mandatory kit in October, with air as cold as 4 °C (39 °F).
  • No athlete reviews exist.
  • The 2027 edition is not confirmed.

Race

2.0Below par

How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.

  • Racer satisfactionLiked3.0

    No participant reports exist. The first edition was set for 3-4 Oct 2026 and may not have run. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationAdequate2.8

    Unverified edition, distances disagree between sources, and one FFTRI event is shown cancelled. No evidence either way. · Low confidence

  • First timer friendlyExperts only1.2

    Mandatory trail kit, night riding and running, and about 7,100 m (23,300 ft) of climbing. Only the 3-person relay is gentle. · Medium confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • PR potentialVery slow1.2

    4,700 m (15,400 ft) of bike climbing plus a 2,400 m (7,900 ft) trail run, 30 h limit. Gold diploma needs under 12 h. · Medium confidence

  • Course easeExtreme1.1

    About 7,100 m (23,300 ft) of total climbing, a 201 km (125 mi) bike, 43 km (27 mi) of trail running, overnight, 30 h limit. · Medium confidence

Swim

3.8Very good

Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.9

    Early October water is likely 14-18 °C (57-64 °F), an unsourced estimate, well below the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) wetsuit limit. · Low confidence

  • Water temperatureAcceptable2.5

    Early October water is estimated at 14-18 °C (57-64 °F), versus 24-27 °C (75-81 °F) in summer. No race-day data. · Low confidence

  • Calm waterGlassy4.7

    Sheltered lake with no motorboats since 1967. Autumn wind is still possible. · Medium confidence

  • Swim easeModerate3.2

    Swim is 4.4 km (2.7 mi) or 3.8 km (2.4 mi) depending on source. Daylight 07:15 start and a generous 3 h cutoff. · Low confidence

  • Swim experienceGreat3.8

    Tourism sources describe clear turquoise water. No athlete has written about the swim, and early October water is cool. · Low confidence

Bike

3.5Very good

Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.

  • Road surfaceMixed3.2

    Not documented. Expect French secondary roads in the Chartreuse. · Low confidence

  • Road closuresPartly closed3.0

    Signallers are required by the rules, but road closure is not stated. · Low confidence

  • Bike sceneryBeautiful4.2

    The route crosses the Chartreuse massif and passes the lake, but much of the ride is in the dark. No athlete feedback yet. · Low confidence

  • WindMostly calm3.5

    Not documented. Massif valleys, and no wind complaints found. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Bike speedVery slow1.1

    4,700 m (15,400 ft) of climbing over 201 km (125 mi), including a 20% ramp. Far slower than a flat course. · Medium confidence

  • Bike flatnessMountainous1.0

    The organiser lists 4,700 m (15,400 ft) of gain, far above a typical 2,500 m (8,200 ft) hilly course. · High confidence

  • Bike simplicityTechnical2.0

    Chartreuse climbs and descents with ramps up to 20%, ridden partly at night with lights required. · Low confidence

Run

2.5Below par

Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Crowd supportSparse1.6

    About 90% of the run is on trails, partly overnight in a nature reserve, so expect few spectators. · Low confidence

  • Aid stationsStandard2.8

    Aid stations have time barriers, and personal aid is allowed at Hautefort. Station spacing is not published. · Low confidence

  • Run sceneryBeautiful3.8

    Lake and nature reserve trails, but largely run in darkness. No athlete feedback yet. · Low confidence

  • Run conditionsBrutal1.2

    Technical trail after about 200 km (125 mi) of cycling, with a night section and mandatory kit. · Medium confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Run flatnessBig climbs1.0

    2,400 m (7,900 ft) of gain over about 43 km (27 mi), roughly 56 m (184 ft) per km. · Medium confidence

Conditions

2.6Good

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Air temperatureHarsh2.0

    Typical air is 4-17 °C (39-63 °F), with cold nights near or below 12 °C (54 °F) in October. · Medium confidence

  • Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.4

    Early October in the Alps is variable and often wet. No race-day weather data exists. · Low confidence

  • Venue beautyStunning4.5

    France's third-largest natural lake, with turquoise water and the Chartreuse massif behind it. · Medium confidence

  • Spectator friendlyTricky2.0

    Overnight format, a trail run and remote aid points make this hard for supporters to follow. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Low altitudeLow4.0

    The lake sits at 373 m (1,224 ft). Trails climb higher but stay modest. · High confidence

Stay and travel

3.6Very good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.

  • Hotel availabilityBook early3.2

    About 6 hotels plus campsites nearby. Some seasonal places may be closed in October. · Low confidence

  • Hotel valueNormal3.4

    Off-season rates are likely lower, but we found no October price data. · Low confidence

  • WalkabilitySome driving3.3

    Small lakeside villages, with the start, bike park and briefing at one site. · Low confidence

  • Travel easeEasy3.6

    Off the A43 at exit 12, 15 minutes from Chambery and 45 minutes from Lyon (about 100 km (62.1 mi) / 62 mi). · Medium confidence

  • LogisticsSome complexity3.1

    Race pickup, bike drop and briefing share one site, but the overnight format and mandatory gear add work. · Low confidence

  • Town and foodFine2.8

    Lakeside restaurants are mostly seasonal, so choices are limited in October. · Low confidence

Key facts

Location
Aiguebelette-le-Lac, Savoie, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Typical month
October
Latest or next date
3 October 2026
Organiser
Independent
Entry fee
About $490
First held
2026
Distances
3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
Cutoffs
Swim 3:00 (10:15 from 07:15 start), Bike 17:00 on bike segment (03:15 Sunday), Finish 30:00 (run limit 10 h, ends 13:15 Sunday)
Swim venue
Lac d'Aiguebelette (lake)
Water temperature
14–18 °C (57–64 °F)
Wetsuit
Legal
Swim start
mass (07:15 start; format not confirmed)
Bike climbing
4,700 m (15,420 ft)
Key climbs
L'Enfisere (km 86, ~200 m at up to 20%)
Run climbing
2,400 m (7,870 ft)
Air temperature
4–17 °C (39–63 °F)
Altitude
373 m (1,220 ft)
Nearest airport
Lyon Saint-Exupery (LYS) / Chambery (CMF)
Where to stay
Aiguebelette-le-Lac, Lepin-le-Lac, Novalaise
Booking
Mostly summer tourism: ~6 hotels (La Maison Ronde, La Villa du Lac, Novalaise Plage) plus campsites (Huttopia) and B&Bs; off-season in October may have fewer open. Access via A43 exit 12; ~15 min from Chambery, ~45 min from Lyon.

Official race website (eventicom.fr)

What racers and reviewers say

  • Alti-Mag (lake and accommodation guide)article · Positive

    Guide to the lake: calm, no motorboats since 1967, third-largest natural lake in France, summer water 24-27 °C (75-81 °F). Lists few hotels (La Maison Ronde, La Villa du Lac, Novalaise Plage), Huttopia campsites and B&Bs; mostly a summer and day-trip destination.

  • Mon Sejour en Montagne / Ulysse (lake coverage)article · Positive

    Tourism features describing warm, turquoise summer water (around 26 °C (79 °F) / 79 °F) and the Lepin-le-Lac beach. Not specific to October conditions or the triathlon.

  • Camping and guesthouse reviews (Huttopia, via Alti-Mag)hotel-review · Positive

    Few online reviews of local lodging exist, mostly for Huttopia, praised for cleanliness and its heated indoor pool. Treat as thin evidence for race-week lodging.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.

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