Allgaeu Triathlon (Mitteldistanz)
Immenstadt, Germany · August · Independent
Not a standard 70.3. This course is 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 84 km (52 mi) bike, 20 km (12.4 mi) run, not the usual 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run. Mitteldistanz: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) / 84 km (52 mi) / 20 km (12.4 mi).
Why people love it
- Historic race since 1983, with huge crowds on the Kalvarienberg and Kuhsteig.
- Alpine lake swim in the Grosser Alpsee with an alphorn start.
- Allgäu mountain scenery throughout.
- Pro-level fields; Jan Frodeno won in 2019.
Watch out for
- Not a full 70.3: 84 km (52 mi) bike and 20 km (12.4 mi) run.
- Cold lake, and altitude of about 725 m (2,379 ft).
- Steep Kalvarienberg (about 16%) is climbed twice, with technical descents.
- Kuhsteig run climb of about 300 m (984 ft) on roots and loose earth.
- The 1,400 m (4,593 ft) bike climbing total is an estimate, not a published figure.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.0
Enthusiastic first-person report from the Olympic race and editorial praise, but no Mitteldistanz athlete reports are published. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.9
Large, long-running event with 2,000 to 2,500 athletes; no complaints are published. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding2.2
Cold lake, a steep ramp of about 16% climbed twice, technical descents and a steep trail climb on the run. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow2.2
Winners run 3:57:35 to 4:04:18 on a hilly 84 km (52 mi) bike with an estimated 1,400 m (4,593 ft) of climbing. · Low confidence
- Course easeVery tough2.1
Estimated 1,400 m (4,593 ft) of bike climbing, the Kuhsteig run climb and 725 m (2,379 ft) altitude. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.5
Cold alpine lake at 725 m (2,379 ft) in August; a 2019 club report says wetsuits were worn. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.0
Described as clear but cold; likely 18 to 21 °C (64 to 70 °F), but no temperature is published. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.0
Sheltered alpine lake; no chop reports are published. · Low confidence
- Swim easeModerate2.9
Mass start of 1.9 km (1.2 mi) with contact, plus a long run from the swim exit to transition. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.0
Clear lake with mountains and an alphorn start, though the mass start is crowded. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.5
Alpine-region roads; no surface reports are published. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.5
Not documented. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.4
Allgäu alpine foothills, though no athlete has reviewed the Mitteldistanz bike leg. · Low confidence
- WindMostly calm3.5
Valley riding; no wind reports are published. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow2.2
Two hilly 42 km (26 mi) laps with a 16% ramp and technical descents. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly1.8
Estimated 1,400 m (4,593 ft) over 84 km (52 mi), at the mountainous end for a half. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical2.2
Technical descents are reported, with ramps of about 16 to 18%. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportElectric4.5
Loud and euphoric, with spectators lining the Kuhsteig and Kalvarienberg; one source claims 30,000 spectators. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.5
No aid station data is published. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.2
Lakeside and old town sections. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsHard2.4
Roots, stones and loose earth on the Kuhsteig. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessHilly1.8
The Kuhsteig is a steep climb of about 300 m (984 ft), plus a repeat hill and the old town. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Mid-August air is likely 15 to 26 °C (59 to 79 °F); alpine summers vary. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.8
Alpine thunderstorms are possible; no cancellation data is published. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.6
Mountain lake and village setting, widely praised. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.4
Compact town course with several viewing points. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeModerate3.1
Immenstadt is at about 725 m (2,379 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.0
Peak summer in a tourist region; no race-week data is published. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
No pricing data is published. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.6
Start at the Alpsee and finish at Bühl am Alpsee, with the town close by. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.9
Memmingen airport is about 50 km (31 mi) away; Munich is further. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.2
Swim and finish are both at the Alpsee but with a long swim-to-transition run; details are not published. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Allgäu tourist region with plenty of restaurants. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Immenstadt, Allgaeu, Bavaria, Germany
- Typical month
- August
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 2,500 athletes
- First held
- 1983
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 84 km (52 mi) bike, 20 km (12.4 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Grosser Alpsee, Immenstadt (lake)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- mass
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- Bike laps
- 2
- Key climbs
- Kalvarienberg (about 16%), climbed twice
- Air temperature
- 15–26 °C (59–79 °F)
- Altitude
- 725 m (2,380 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Memmingen (FMM)
- Where to stay
- Immenstadt, Bühl am Alpsee
- Booking
- Peak summer in a tourist region; no race-week price data.
What racers and reviewers say
- RennRadRaced 2019 · blog · Positive
First-person Olympic-distance report: mass-start Alpsee swim, about 700 m (2,297 ft) of climbing on a 42 km (26.1 mi) bike with technical descents and an early ramp near 18%, then the Kuhsteig run climb. He calls the atmosphere loud and euphoric and says he would return.
“flow state on the Kuhsteig”
- Ettlinger Amtsblatt club reportRaced 2019 · blog · Mixed
Club member report of the Mitteldistanz: 1,900 m (1.2 mi) in the clear but cold Grosser Alpsee in a wetsuit, a hilly run to transition, then two bike laps of 42 km (26.1 mi).
- American Express Amexcitedarticle · Positive
Lifestyle piece naming the Allgaeu Triathlon among Germany's best, with mountain scenery, 2,000 to 2,500 participants and an alphorn player in traditional dress starting the race.
- HDsportsRaced 2019 · article · Positive
Results coverage noting that Mitteldistanz athletes climb the Kalvarienberg twice. The winner's time of 3:57:35 in 2019 shows a faster field than the hilly course would suggest.
- Quaeldich Kalvarienbergarticle · Positive
Cycling site covering the Kalvarienberg climb with a gradient near 16%, short but very steep; a Komoot user describes dense spectators on it.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Allgaeu Triathlon (Mitteldistanz)? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.