Course description
A cult classic in the Rhineland and one of Germany's most atmospheric triathlons. Famous for its Rhine swim: a jump off a car ferry, then about 4.2 km downstream with the current to beyond the Kennedy Bridge, wetsuits compulsory. Next comes the short but very rolling 64 km bike course in the Siebengebirge hills, and to finish three flat 5 km laps on the Rhine promenade as a fast finale.
Coach tip
4.2 km sounds long, but you swim downstream with the current: in 2026 the median swim time was just over 35 minutes, about as long as a normal middle-distance swim in a lake. The start is a jump off the car ferry, and wetsuits are compulsory for everyone. Always swim to the right of the red buoys, outside the shipping lane, or you risk disqualification. Under the Konrad Adenauer Bridge you pass between the bank and the first pier, under the Kennedy Bridge between the "China ship" and the first pier. Then move close to the right bank early: the exit comes right after the second landing stage.
The 64 km from the Kennedy Bridge through the Siebengebirge are short but very rolling — ride the climbs under control and save some strength for the run. Bike check-in for individual starters closes at 8:15 am on race day, and the swim starts from 9:15 am.
The run is three 5 km laps of a flat out-and-back course on the Rhine promenade with lots of spectators — over 15 km you can go out faster than on a normal middle distance. Race packs are handed out on Saturday from 2 to 7 pm at the KGS Josefschule and on race day from 6 to 8 am. Miss your start wave and you miss the start. Without a race licence you pay a €22 day licence on top.