One Race, Two Countries: The Logistics Between Sluis and Knokke-Heist

The Big Picture: A Cross-Border Double Transition

This race has one quirk you need to put at the top of your list: in the 70.3 format, which the whole known setup comes from, the swim start and T1 are in Sluis, in the Netherlands, while T2 and the finish are in Knokke-Heist, in Belgium. The two venues aren't far apart, but they're two different places in two different countries, and that multiplies everything you have to organize: bags, bike, travel for you and your family. If the full-distance race keeps this setup — the most likely scenario, but it needs confirming with the official athlete guide — your race week will revolve around this two-venue layout.

Shuttles: Book as Soon as They Open

The 2024 athlete guide for the 70.3 listed two shuttle services with mandatory booking:

• Saturday afternoon: shuttle from T1 (Sluis) to T2 (Knokke-Heist), after bike check-in.
• Early Sunday morning: shuttle from Knokke-Heist to Sluis to reach the start.

Mandatory booking means anyone who doesn't book risks having to figure it out at dawn on race day between two countries. Concrete action: when you register, look for the shuttle section right away and book. Then check the full-distance athlete guide, once it's out, to confirm the setup.

Bike Check-In

In the 70.3 format, bike check-in happened in Sluis the day before the race. Plan your Saturday accordingly: drop off your bike and T1 bag in Sluis, then head back to Knokke-Heist (by shuttle or your own transport) for the T2 bag and rest. It's not a chill day: treat it as part of your race protocol, with times written down.

Getting There

The closest listed airport is Brussels (BRU). From there you'll need a transfer to the coast at Knokke-Heist. If you're traveling with your bike in a case, consider renting a car: with two race venues and family in tow, a car makes things much easier. The train option exists in Belgium, but with a packed bike and race bags it gets complicated: detailed connection info isn't in the sources consulted, so check in advance.

Where to Stay

Knokke-Heist is a seaside resort town with a wide range of hotels, including upscale options. Two considerations:

1. Book early. This is the first-ever full-distance edition held in Belgium (September 5, 2027): demand will be high, and early-September prices at a beach town are no joke. 2. Stay on the finish side. The 70.3 logic (morning shuttles from Knokke-Heist to Sluis) points to staying in Knokke-Heist: you finish there, your family waits there, and the shuttle gets you to the start in the morning.

Family and Supporters

With the start and finish in two countries, whoever's following you has a choice: watch you start in Sluis and then relocate, or wait for you right on the course in Belgium. For a full-distance race, with a swim in the early hours and a finish that could be 9-15 hours later, the most sensible option for family is often to skip the start and stake out the two-lap run course on the Zeedijk: they'll see you multiple times with zero logistical stress.

Costs and Registration

Entry fees and cutoff times for the full-distance race aren't published in the sources consulted: check the official website. Same goes for any spectator passes or race-day parking.

Action Checklist

• Registered? Book shuttles (if already available) and a hotel in Knokke-Heist right away.
• Flight into Brussels + rental car with room for the bike.
• Saturday: bike check-in in Sluis, bags, return trip. Write down the times.
• Full-distance athlete guide: read it as soon as it's out and confirm the two-venue setup.