The World Triathlon Hamburg offers breathtaking courses! Right in the heart of Hamburg, you’ll swim across the Alster, cycle past famous landmarks to the Elbe, and finally run along a loop around the Outer Alster to the finish line at the magnificent Rathausmarkt.

2026 Course Overview

Distances

• Sprint Distance: 0.5 km Swim / 20 km Bike / 5 km Run - Download KML file: kml Open Race Sprint

• Standard Distance: 1.5 km Swim / 40 km Bike / 10 km Run - Download KML file: kml Open Race Standard Distance

All courses can be viewed on an interactive course map here.

Swim Course

Experience the morning charm of Hamburg as you swim in the Alster, surrounded by some of the city’s most impressive buildings. The race starts with a water start in the Binnenalster. The course consists of one lap, with the first turn coming after 650 meters (Standard) / 220 meters (Sprint).

Please note: You will need to swim through a tunnel approximately 40 meters long with poor lighting. The exit is via wide steps and is carpeted, but may still be slippery. Please exercise caution here. The transition route to the entrance of the transition zone is approximately 200 meters long, carpeted, and takes you past hundreds of supporters.

Transition Area

Welcome to what is probably the longest transition area in the world. The transition area is located on Ballindamm and is divided into various starting blocks over a distance of 500 meters. Please be mindful of other competitors and participants coming toward you. The exit to the bike course is located at the far end of the transition area near Glockengießerwall. The exit to the running course is located at the beginning of the transition zone near Europapassage.

Bike Course

The bike course is mostly flat and features excellent asphalt conditions. Here you can showcase your cycling skills. However, 180° turns at Altona Town Hall (Standard) and on the Lombardsbrücke (Sprint and Standard) present technical challenges.

Participants in the short-distance race complete three laps; those in the sprint-distance race complete two laps. The maximum gradient on the course is 5% over 2 x 200m per lap. Both courses take participants past numerous landmarks such as Speicherstadt and Landungsbrücken. The section across the Lombardsbrücke offers a beautiful view of the Alster.

Running Course

The running course leads from the transition area at Ballindamm northward along Jungfernstieg and Neuen Jungfernstieg toward the Outer Alster. The flat course follows the banks of the Alster, mostly along bike and walking paths with paved and sandy sections, past magnificent buildings with stunning views of the Outer Alster and the final reward: an unforgettable finish line in front of Hamburg’s magnificent City Hall.

Please note: Limited passing opportunities for wheelchair users.

Refreshment Stations

Sprint Distance: Swim start, Run course (0.5 km; 2.2 km & 4.0 km), Finish 
Short Distance: Swim start, Run course (0.5 km; 2.2 km; 4.0 km, 6.4 km; 9.0 km), Finish

 *Subject to change