Open Race Courses
2027 Course Overview
Swim Course
Experience the unique atmosphere of Hamburg in the early morning as you swim through the iconic Alster, surrounded by some of the city’s most impressive landmarks. The race starts with a water start in the Binnenalster.
Athletes complete one lap, with the first turn buoy located after approximately 650 metres (Olympic Distance) or 220 metres (Sprint Distance).
Please note: The course includes a tunnel of approximately 40 metres with limited lighting conditions. The swim exit is via a wide staircase covered with carpet, but it may still be slippery, so please proceed with caution.
After leaving the water, athletes face a 200-metre transition run to the entrance of Transition Area 1. The entire route is carpeted and lined with hundreds of spectators, creating an unforgettable atmosphere as you head towards the next stage of your race.
Transition
Welcome to what may be the longest transition area in the world.
Located along Ballindamm, the transition area stretches for more than 500 metres and is divided into several start blocks. Please be mindful of other athletes who are still racing and may be moving in the opposite direction.
The exit to the bike course is located at the far end of the transition area near Glockengießerwall.
The exit to the run course is located at the beginning of the transition area near Europa Passage.
With thousands of athletes and spectators, the transition area is a key part of the unique atmosphere that makes Hamburg one of the world's most iconic triathlon events.
Bike Course
The bike course is predominantly flat and features excellent road surfaces, making it the perfect place to put your speed to the test. Technical challenges still await, however, with 180-degree turns at Altona Town Hall (Olympic Distance) and on Lombardsbrücke (Sprint Distance and Olympic Distance).
Athletes competing in the Olympic Distance will complete three laps, while Sprint Distance participants will ride two laps. The maximum gradient on the course is 5%, over two sections of approximately 200 metres per lap.
Both courses take athletes past some of Hamburg’s most iconic landmarks, including the Speicherstadt and the Landungsbrücken. The section across Lombardsbrücke offers spectacular views over the Alster and is one of the highlights of the race.
Fast, scenic, and packed with atmosphere, the bike course showcases Hamburg at its very best.
Run Course
The run course leads from the transition area at Ballindamm via Jungfernstieg and Neuer Jungfernstieg towards the Außenalster. This predominantly flat course follows the waterfront along a mixture of paved and gravel pathways, passing impressive architecture and offering stunning views across Hamburg’s iconic lake.
With thousands of spectators lining the route, the atmosphere builds all the way to the finish, where the ultimate reward awaits: an unforgettable finish-line experience in front of Hamburg’s magnificent City Hall (Rathaus).
Please note: Overtaking opportunities for wheelchair athletes are limited on certain sections of the course.
Aid Stations
- Sprint Distance: Swim Start, Run Course (KM 0.5, KM 2.2 & KM 4.0), Finish
- Olympic Distance: Swim Start, Run Course (KM 0.5, KM 2.2, KM 4.0, KM 6.4 & KM 9.0), Finish
Subject to change.
