Ravensburger Triathlon
Ravensburg, Germany · July/August · Independent (DAV Ravensburg)
Course: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 24 km (14.9 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 750 m (0.47 mi) swim (some listings 700 m / 0.43 mi), 24 km (14.9 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run.
Why people love it
- Baden-Wuerttemberg sprint championship with about 400 starters.
- Swim of 750 m (0.47 mi) in a lifeguarded natural pool at the Flappachbad.
- Relay cup and youth races run on the same day.
- Swim, transition and run laps are all around one venue.
- Historic old town a short drive away.
Watch out for
- Water was 25 to 28 °C (77 to 82 °F), so wetsuits are likely banned.
- Start groups are only two minutes apart, and 2026 athletes found the swim crowded.
- The 24 km (14.9 mi) bike has about 400 m (1,310 ft) of climbing.
- Sells out: about 400 places in 2024 and 405 starters in 2026.
- Reports are local newspaper coverage; few athlete race reports exist.
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: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.8
Winners praised the 2026 race, and it sells out at about 400 starters. One complaint about crowded start groups. Local reports only. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.7
A club with 41 editions behind it, but 2026 athletes said start groups two minutes apart were too tight. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.3
Relay and youth races exist, but the sprint is a state championship with a fast field and a hilly 24 km (15 mi) bike. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.6
About 400 m (1,310 ft) of climbing on 24 km (15 mi); the 2026 men's winner took 1:11:14. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalSeldom1.8
Water was 25 °C (77 °F) in 2026 and 28 °C (82 °F) in 2022, above the 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) limit. The rule applied is not on the race page. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable2.9
Water was 25 °C (77 °F) in 2026 and 28 °C (82 °F) in 2022: warm but fine for 750 m (0.47 mi). · Medium confidence
- Calm waterGlassy4.6
Swim is in the Flappachbad, a fenced natural outdoor pool at a small reservoir (Flappachweiher); no current or swell. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeModerate3.0
Three start groups two minutes apart; the 2026 second-wave winner called it survival swimming. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.4
A pleasant, warm natural pool, but tight start groups caused congestion. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood3.7
Lifeguarded natural pool, three waves, fenced water; no kayak or wading detail found. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.3
Surface not reported; the road was slippery in the rain in 2022. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.3
The reports do not say whether roads are closed. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.5
Rolling farmland in Upper Swabia. Not discussed in reports. · Low confidence
- WindMostly calm3.5
Hilly Upper Swabia terrain with no wind reports. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage2.7
About 400 m (1,310 ft) on 24 km (15 mi), slippery in the wet in 2022; the 2026 winner said the bike was fun. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly2.4
About 400 m (1,310 ft) of climbing over 24 km (15 mi), reported by the local paper. Hilly. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.0
Hilly course; a favourite crashed in a corner on the first run lap in 2022. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.4
A club event of about 400 athletes with relay teams and families. No crowd detail. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
Not reported. A 5 km (3.1 mi) run needs little. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.3
Town and park laps. Not discussed in reports. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.4
Short 5 km (3.1 mi) run after a hilly bike; warm weather in some years. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.2
Multi-lap run with a tight corner. Elevation gain is not published. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.0
2026 race day was about 25 °C (77 °F) after a heat spell; 2022 was cool and wet at 18 °C (64 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
Cold rain in 2022, ideal in 2026. Early August can bring thunderstorms. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.7
Hillside old town with the Mehlsack tower; the Flappachbad is a green outdoor pool. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.6
Pool-centred venue with multi-lap run; relay teams add supporters. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow3.8
Ravensburg sits near 430 m (1,410 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.7
Mid-sized town with many hotels. No shortage reported. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.5
No pricing evidence found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.8
Swim, transition and finish are around the Flappachbad; most athletes drive in. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Friedrichshafen airport is about 25 km (16 mi) away; Zurich is about 140 km (87 mi). Direct rail to town. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.9
One venue and an 11:00 mass start, with youth races in the morning. Packet pickup was not found. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Historic old town with many restaurants. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Ravensburg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
- Typical month
- July/August
- Latest or next date
- 1 August 2026
- Organiser
- Independent (DAV Ravensburg)
- Field size
- About 405 athletes
- First held
- 1985
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 24 km (14.9 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Flappachbad natural outdoor pool (Flappachweiher) (reservoir)
- Water temperature
- 25–28 °C (77–82 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Likely banned (water above 24.6 C (76.3 F))
- Swim start
- wave starts of three groups two minutes apart (2026); mass start at 11:00 per 2025 preview
- Bike climbing
- 400 m (1,310 ft)
- Air temperature
- 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Humidity
- moderate
- Altitude
- 430 m (1,410 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Friedrichshafen (FDH), 25 km (16 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Ravensburg old town, Weingarten
- Booking
- Day-trip race; mid-sized town with plenty of hotels. Packet pickup and parking details not found.
What racers and reviewers say
- Schwaebische Zeitung (41st edition report)Raced 2026 · article · Positive
Report on the 2026 sprint cup with 405 starters, 25 °C (77 °F) water and cooler air after a heat spell. Three start groups two minutes apart left the swim crowded; the bike is a 24 km (15 mi) loop with about 400 m (1,310 ft) of climbing. Winners praised the race and the organisers.
“Das war viel zu eng.”
- Schwaebische Zeitung (37th edition report)Raced 2022 · article · Mixed
First edition after two Covid years, 253 athletes in cool rain at about 18 °C (64 °F) with 28 °C (82 °F) water. The bike was hilly and slippery; a favourite crashed in a corner on the run and left the race.
- Schwaebische Zeitung (40th edition preview)Raced 2025 · article · Positive
Preview of the 40th anniversary: sprint cup with about 400 (400) entrants sold out and relay cup full with 39 teams. Describes the 750 m (0.47 mi) swim in the Flappachweiher, 11:00 mass start and access limits to the Flappachbad.
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Sources
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