Köln Triathlon

There are moments you can only experience in Cologne: You swim with the current through the city centre, with the Old Town skyline and Cologne Cathedral in view to your left, before passing beneath the Hohenzollern Bridge. For the Cologne Triathlon, one half of the Rhine is specially closed to shipping, allowing thousands of athletes – safeguarded by DLRG lifeboats – to swim right through the heart of the city. It is a spectacular start that has earned this city triathlon its special reputation.

Whether you are a dedicated triathlete, an ambitious competitor or simply a sports fan – you’ll love the Cologne Triathlon.

Three disciplines, Cologne as your racecourse

Even after leaving the water, Cologne’s landmarks and distinctive locations remain the backdrop for this annual triathlon. The cycling route follows roads closed entirely to traffic, while the running course crosses the Hohenzollern Bridge. The turning point? Right beside Cologne Cathedral. The finish line celebrations take place at the Tanzbrunnen in Rheinpark.

You can choose between middle distance, Olympic distance and sprint races, with swimming distances adapted to the Rhine’s current. The middle and Olympic distances also offer relay entries. That means there is a race for both ambitious athletes and newcomers.

No race number required: cheer, browse and be amazed

Watching is free – and well worth it. Follow the race up close along the Rhine and experience the goosebump moments at the finish line. During the event weekend, the Tanzbrunnen also hosts the Tri.EXPO, a trade fair dedicated to triathlon, featuring equipment, nutrition advice and all the information you need about the competitions.

Köln Triathlon: part of the city’s sporting history since 1984

Triathlon has a long tradition in Cologne: the city hosted a European Championship at Lake Fühlingen as early as 1984. However, the current city-centre edition of the Cologne Triathlon only premiered in 2022 – and has been growing in participant numbers ever since.