I was lured in by the pictures of the lake and the scenic ride, and we were not disappointed! As usual for an IM event, organisation was top notch and well run. All simple to pick up bags, rack bikes, etc. Transitions were smooth. Staff and marshals throughout the event were brilliant. Sadly the rain brought some glacial run off, and the swim was reduced to 750m due to the cold. Ironman kept us informed throughout, and we felt safe with the decision to go ahead and swim at all. However, it was cold when we got it! Still the swim was great, and the lake was beautiful and clean. The bike ride can be described in 3 equal ish parts (twice!). A flat ish sprint out to the bottom of a hill. Then a massive climb, following by a fast down hill, returning to the flat (then repeat). The support on the climb was something else. All the locals out, cheering, giving support. I took the time to engage with them, and it was worth it. A real special experience. Aid stations on the bike well placed and well run. The run, mostly great, the part through some fields was a bit gruelling, but the rest was well supported and fun. Although the steps were a challenge! A great finish with people cheering you on, and well stocked recovery area after. This was a very special event to do, and I'm pleased to have taken part.

This race was recommended to me by 2 friends and it didn't disappoint.

We flew into Zurich and made our way to Rapperswil on the super efficient Swiss train system! 2 kids, bike box, luggage and 2 trains....but all very smooth! We stayed at the Best Western Stern hotel which was amazing and I highly recommend literally opposite the train station. Even Paul Kaye was staying there so has to be the closest thing to the athlete village, transition etc!! :) Just a 7min walk to all the action. Super sound proof windows so even though it is on a main road you can't hear a thing!

The athlete village was very good. Nice selection of vendors, everything sign posted very well, friendly volunteers everywhere to ask questions. Registration also very easy and well organised. My daughter did the Ironkids and that was also the best Ironkids we have been to! They even got a timing chip!

The weather unfrotunately wasn't good on the run up to the race and even on race morning. But I believe the 2 previous years it had been quite warm so I guess it is just the luck of the draw! A leisurely start to race day with the females being the first AG to start at 8.05. The lake was quite cold at 14.9C but the course is a very easy out and back with some very visible buoys. The run to T1 is not that long and there were tents to change into with heaters. 

The bike course is quite beautiful. Supporters at all the right points, the climbs basically, cheering everyone on with the classic hop hop hop cheer! I was impressed with the amount of marshalls and the level of safety on the bike course. This is a very safe course if you follow their instructions and slow down and be off your aerobars when they ask you to. The aid stations had the usual Powerbar supplies but they were well manned and the volunteers were really enthusiastic and helpful!

The run course is also quite pretty with some parts on gravel and the rest on tarmac. The stairway to heaven is quite tough on the legs especially the 2nd time you have to climb it and has a rather 'nice' uphill leading up to it just to increase the burn on the legs a little more :) There are a few very short uphills but otherwise it is quite flat. An amazing amount of aid stations scattered around at all the right points and good support especially in the town of Rapperswil.

After the finish line there were tons of chairs for people to crash on, and a big feast of all kinds of foods in the big hall with again alot of room for everyone to find somewhere to sit.

I cannot fault the organisation of this race. As you would expect the Swiss to be efficient and put on a good race, so they did! I would definitely recommend this race for either someone doing their first 70.3 and also for the more experienced triathlete. 

I really loved this course and once I was on it all of my first half ironman nerves seemed to evaporate. The swim was in a beautiful lake and the bike course took us up and down Swiss alpine hills with gorgeous views at the top. It was particularly tough this year with 30 degree heat and searing sun that caused us some serious sun burn. There is a particular hill called Witches Hill that got me each time we did it but once you're at the top you forget about the pain.

There were hardly any women on this course which meant that it was a more aggressive race than I've done before, especially on the bike course with lots of tear drop helmets zooming past but equally the crowds gave the women an extra cheer which was lovely. The crowds were fantastic and got me through it. They handed us wet sponges on the run course which was stifling hot!

I can't comment a lot on the nutrition handed out as I had my own on the bike course and come the run my stomach had closed up but I remember being really grateful for a slice of orange that was on offer at one of the stops. Drinks wise they had regular stops for coke, iso and water. Couple of people I saw got disqualified for throwing litter on the course which I agreed with - it's a stunning landscape, it doesn't need wrappers strewn across it! 

All in all - great day, my bank account was broken by the end of it but that's Switzerland for you!

Highly recommended

Race is well organized in general. The bike course is short, that is about 84km not 90 as of delcared (I have done the race 5 times). The run course is nice some in the town some in the country with many parts on gravel. Swim can be difficult because the water temperature is always low, it happened many times around 15°C with risk of swim cancellation.

As of any race in german countries and switzerland quality of pasta party and race buffet is very low. Pasta is soft like gel.

Well organised and very enjoyable race. Rapperswil-Jone is approx. 45min by train from Zurich and Zurich Airport. The swim is only a lap of 1,900m and takes place in Zurich Lake with wetsuits. It is an in-water start. The bike course is hilly and the scenery beautiful. It consists of two laps of 45km. The run consists of two laps of 10.5km and, although mainly flat, includes the notorious "Stairway to Heaven", the steps which lead from the town market up to the castle of Rapperswil. I would certainly do it again.