Allgaeu Triathlon
Immenstadt im Allgaeu, Germany · August · Independent (808project)
Course: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 42 km (26.1 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run. Organiser calls it Olymp; no figures on pages read. A listing total of 53.5 km (33.2 mi) implies about 42 km (26 mi) bike if swim and run are 1.5 km (0.93 mi) and 10 km (6.2 mi). Jan Frodeno won in 2:03:24 in 2019, which fits a standard-length course.
Why people love it
- Germany's oldest triathlon, running since 1983, with a swim in the Grosser Alpsee
- Large festival feel, with crowds at the Kalvarienberg climb and the Kuhsteig
- Elite fields race it; Jan Frodeno won the Olympic in 2019 in 2:03:24
- Sprint, Olympic and middle distance, plus relay options on the longer races
- Alpine bike scenery, with lake views near the Zaumberg
Watch out for
- Hilly bike: the original loop is 46.1 km (28.6 mi) with 917 m (3,009 ft) of climbing
- The Kalvarienberg climb reaches 16 percent, steep for casual riders
- Altitude of about 728 m (2,390 ft); August heat reached 30 °C (86 °F) in 2019
- Wetsuit rule, water temperature and exact sprint and Olympic distances are not published
- Very few first-person reports exist, and most are from 2019
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.
Toughness: Very tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.8
Big alpine festival with elite fields and large crowds, but the racer account mentions heat and a crash. Little first-hand feedback. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.6
Same organiser since 2013 with set pickup hours and a 17:30 finish deadline. A 2019 racer account described a crash and a disqualification dispute. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable2.8
1.5 km (0.93 mi) lake swim and about 42 km (26 mi) of hilly bike with the Kalvarienberg; best for experienced athletes. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow2.2
Hilly bike of about 900 m (2,950 ft) gain estimated; Frodeno's 2:03:24 win is slower than a flat Olympic's top time. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalCoin flip3.0
Rule is not published. World Triathlon limit of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) may apply, and August lake water can sit near it. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.5
Water temperature not published; alpine lake in August, probably 19 to 23 °C (66 to 73 °F) but unverified. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.0
Large sheltered alpine lake, no current; wind chop is possible but not reported. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.6
1.5 km (0.93 mi) open lake; start format unknown. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.0
Alphorn start and mountain backdrop as described by a feature; no swimmer accounts of water clarity. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood3.5
Event is large and organised, but kayak, lifeguard and wave details are not published. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.5
Southern German back roads usually decent; not described by any source. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.5
Closure level not stated; large German events typically close or marshal roads, assumed. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.4
Rolling Allgaeu pastures and Alpsee views near the Zaumberg per the route guide and the feature. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.4
Valley and foothill roads partly sheltered; not reported. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow2.2
Steep climbs and descents; slow compared with flat Olympics. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly1.6
Olympic bike gain is estimated near 900 m (2,950 ft), which makes it very hilly. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical2.4
Steep climb and descents on narrow Allgaeu roads; no direct reports but the profile is technical. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong4.0
Over 30,000 spectators claimed by a listing and cheering spots at the Kalvarienberg and Kuhsteig in 2019 report. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.5
Not described in any source. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.0
Passes the Kuhsteig and Immenstadt's historic old town per two reports. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.0
10 km (6.2 mi) in possible heat. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.0
Wavy per a 2019 report; no gain published. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.2
Mid to late August: 2019 reached about 30 °C (86 °F); typical range 12 to 28 °C (54 to 82 °F), regional estimate. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.8
Alpine thunderstorms are possible; a 2026 race was shortened for weather and 2019 reached about 30 °C (86 °F). · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.4
Alpine lake, mountains and a historic old town called impressive by two sources and visible in photos. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.2
Compact lakeside start and finish, a town run, and cheering spots at the Kalvarienberg and Kuhsteig. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeModerate3.0
About 728 m (2,390 ft) above sea level, a mild effect for most athletes. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.0
Alpine tourist town in peak August season; no data on race-week sellouts. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
Allgaeu holiday prices; not researched. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.5
Start at the harbour and finish at Bühl am Alpsee are on the same lake; wechselzone check-in on Saturday; parking details not published. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.8
Memmingen about 70 km (43 mi) and Munich about 150 km (93 mi) by road; no rail or airport in town. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.6
Packet pickup Friday to Sunday morning and transition check-in Saturday afternoon or Sunday early morning are flexible; shuttles and parking not published. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.8
Immenstadt and nearby Alpine villages have plenty of restaurants; finish area is a small festival with food and music. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Immenstadt im Allgaeu, Bavaria, Germany
- Typical month
- August
- Latest or next date
- 22 August 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (808project)
- Field size
- About 880 athletes
- First held
- 1983
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 42 km (26.1 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Grosser Alpsee (start near the boat harbour by the Erlebnissteg, Bühl am Alpsee) (lake)
- Swim start
- start signalled by alphorn players; format (waves or mass) not stated on pages read
- Bike climbing
- 900 m (2,950 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- Kalvarienberg (16% gradient, climbed once by Olympic riders and twice by Classic); Climb to Ettensberg: about 300 m (980 ft) in about 4 km (2.5 mi); Stixner
- Run shade
- not reported
- Air temperature
- 12–28 °C (54–82 °F)
- Humidity
- moderate, alpine thunderstorms possible
- Altitude
- 728 m (2,390 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Memmingen (FMM); Munich (MUC) for most international flights, 70 km (43 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Immenstadt, Bühl am Alpsee, Sonthofen
- Booking
- Immenstadt is an Alpine tourist base, so lodging is plentiful but August is peak season; Memmingen is about 70 km (43 mi) and Munich about 150 km (93 mi) by road, approximate.
What racers and reviewers say
- infranken.de (local newspaper)Raced 2019 · article · Mixed
Report on two Franconian athletes who raced the Olympic distance and one who raced the middle distance in 2019. About 880 athletes started the Olympic race, including Jan Frodeno. Weather was very warm, around 30 °C (86 °F) on the half run. The bike was hilly with the Kalvarienberg, and the run wavy, with cheering spots at the Kalvarienberg and Kuhsteig. One athlete broke a wheel rim braking to avoid a crash and was disqualified after outside help.
- hdsports.org (race photo and results site)Raced 2019 · article · Positive
Write-up of the 37th edition on 18 August 2019 with about 4,000 triathletes across middle, Olympic and sprint. Highlights it names are the Grosser Alpsee, the Kalvarienberg climb and Immenstadt's old town. Jan Frodeno won the Olympic race in 2:03:24, more than eight minutes ahead of the runner-up.
- American Express Germany (Amexcited) featurearticle · Positive
Feature on triathlons in Germany calling the Allgaeu event the country's pioneer race since 1983. Start is at the Grosser Alpsee with a finish at Bühl am Alpsee, announced by alphorn players, with roughly 2,000 to 2,500 athletes and entry fees about 120 to 300 euros by distance. Describes an impressive alpine setting with spectators lining the bike course. Marketing in tone, no course data.
- wildganz.com bike route guidearticle · Mixed
Route page for the original Allgaeu Triathlon bike loop: 46.1 km (28.6 mi) with 917 m (3,009 ft) of climbing, highest point 971 m (3,186 ft). Starts at the Strandbad near the Grosser Alpsee and passes Ettensberg, Weitnau and Missen before returning past the Zaumberg with Alpsee views. First hurdle is the Kalvarienberg at 16%, then about 300 m (980 ft) of climbing to Ettensberg in about 4 km (2.5 mi). Rated medium difficulty for hobby riders.
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Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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