The IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship is an exciting triathlon event that has been established in Hamburg since 2017. Athletes from all over the world compete here on a challenging course that takes them through the Inner and Outer Alster, along Hamburg's landmarks and through the city center.
An event of superlatives
The IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship is considered one of the most important triathlon events in Europe and has been inspiring the triathlon community since 2017. Every year, around 3,000 athletes from over 60 countries take on the challenge, which consists of a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride and a final marathon. Many of the participants are competing for one of the highly coveted starting places for the IRONMAN World Championship - a dream destination for triathletes worldwide.
The course: Hamburg in a sporting state of emergency
The race day gets off to a spectacular start at Jungfernstieg, where the athletes jump into the Alster and swim 3.8 km through the Inner and Outer Alster. After this prelude, the athletes take the steps along the Kleine Alster to the first transition zone on Ballindamm, where the bike course begins.
On two laps, the participants cross some of Hamburg's most beautiful sights: the route leads through the Speicherstadt, along the Landungsbrücken and over the famous Reeperbahn to the idyllic Vier- und Marschlande. Back on Ballindamm, the athletes change for the last time to start the marathon.
Final atmosphere: marathon through Hamburg's city center
The 42.2 km course runs in four laps along the banks of the Alster and through Hamburg's city center. The spectators along the route create an electrifying atmosphere as the athletes pass prominent points such as Rathausmarkt and Jungfernstieg. The finish at Rathausmarkt becomes an emotional highlight, with participants crossing the finish line to cheering spectators and being greeted with the words “YOU ARE AN IRONMAN”.
A competition for top female athletes
A special highlight of the IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship is the European Women's Championship, which attracts some of the world's best female triathletes to the Hanseatic city. The European Championship title will be contested here and the best female athletes in the world will compete in this spectacular event.
Further information:
General information
Routes and traffic information
Event highlights
