Course description
A tri-national middle distance on the last weekend of August: the swim is in Switzerland, 3 km downstream through the middle of Basel. The bike is in France and the run in Germany — according to the still provisional course plan, two bike laps north along the Rhine and a run along the Rhine towards Grenzach-Wyhlen. The bike and run courses are largely flat and fully closed, and time-trial bikes are allowed.
Coach tip
3 km sounds long, but you swim with the current: the organiser says it equals roughly 1.5 to 2 km in the pool for fast swimmers, and exactly how much depends on the Rhine. Keep clear of the bridge piers and stay to the right of the buoys. The organiser recommends swim shoes because the bank is not free of glass, and wetsuits are compulsory below 15.9°C. Practise in moving water beforehand.
According to the provisional schedule you rack your bike on Saturday evening (5–7:30 pm). On Sunday a shuttle takes you from Klybeckstrasse to the swim start, and you get your start time between 8 and 9:15 am by email about three days before. Your transition kit goes in bags. The middle distance needs a licence, which you can buy when you register.
Cut-offs: 7:50 h overall, an average of at least 22 km/h on the bike and no more than 3 hours for the half marathon. The flat, closed bike course allows time-trial bikes — train long stretches in the aero position. The run has a single aid station with water and a sugary drink, so carry your own gels.