5 Unique European Triathlons That are Worth the Trip

Outside the world of big brand races, Europe has unique summer races that are worth the trip–or at least adding to your bucket list. Spoiler alert: pack your climbing legs. 

1. Triathlon de Gerardmer – An iconic hilly French half IRONMAN (and Olympic-distance) race that sells out in minutes for a reason. The bike course is the jewel of the race where the first hill out of town is so jam packed with people, you’ll feel like you’re leading the Tour de France as you navigate your bike through the cheering crowds. The technical, three loop, bike is constantly hilly with 1,890 m of elevation, and some fast descents. The run circles around the pristine lake (that hosts the mass start swim), and you’ll run across a floating dock and two steep XTERRA-style wooden ramps. It’s been going for 37 years and, although it’s a bit difficult to get to, being in the heart of the Alsace wine region might take off the sting. https://triathlondegerardmer.com/

Photo courtesy of Zarauzko Triatloia 

2. Zarauzko Half: In the beautiful coastal town of Zarautz in the Basque region of Spain, this unique race first started in 1987. The race starts in the afternoon with a 2.8 km ocean swim that is point-to-point down the coast. If you’re not a swimmer, you can sink your teeth into the hilly 80 km bike that has spectator-packed gradients up to 20%. The run is a scenic 20 km where the town comes out in full force to cheer you on, shouting “animo,” which roughly translates from Basque as “courage.”  https://www.zarauzkotriatloia.com/

3. Alpsman: In one of the most scenic places in France, you’ll take a boat to the start line in the middle of Lake Annecy. The full distance race is the main event here with a 180 km bike through the Alps that will bring even the most accomplished climber to the edge with 4,000 m of climbing. But then it gets harder … There are two finish lines at Alpsman. If you complete the first three loops of the marathon in time, you’ll be granted access to finish at the summit of the famous Semnoz and become a “top finisher.” Miss the cut off time and you’ll be sent around for two more lake loops to finish in the village as a “lake finisher.” There is an equally hard half distance as well as a short taster.  https://alps-man.com/

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Photo courtesy of KOS Xtreme.

4. KOS Xtreme Triathlon: A tough Olympic distance “from the ocean to the stars” on the tiny lush island of La Palma in the Spanish Canary Islands. Perhaps the longest Olympic-distance race you can do, after a pretty standard ocean swim, you’ll grab your road bike and start the 42 km climb–yep, except for one downhill section the entire thing is uphill. The views are incredible as you race up through the villages, into the trees and above the clouds. But, if you were thinking the bike is probably the hardest part, the final 4 km of the 10 km run is a steep oxygen-deprived slog up to the finish line on the top of Roque de los Muchachos at 2,426 m. A small race with great organization and a local Spanish feel (paella and Canarian potatoes are served after), it’s worth the travel effort. Make sure you stay an extra few nights; La Palma is known for its incredible stargazing. https://www.kosxtremetri.com/

5. Alpe D´Huez: The most famous on the list, get all the Tour de France feels climbing three massive cols that culminate with the famous 21 bends of Alpe D’Huez. The clean and notoriously cold lake is closed except for race day, so bring a wetsuit but, most importantly, pack a good set of legs. You’ll need them for the 118 km bike with 3,200 m of elevation and the 20 km on/off road run at altitude that has a short but leg-murdering steep concrete descent. If you’re not quite ready for the “XL,” there’s an Olympic-distance that still goes up the Alpe D’Huez. A late July race, catch some of the Tour de France live while you taper.  https://www.alpetriathlon.com

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