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.
- 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
- 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/
- 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/
Photo courtesy of KOS Xtreme.
- 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/
- 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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all fantastic choices but embrunman has to be there
Totally
Wouldn’t embrunman be considered a “big brand” type of race?
The best half in Europe is Lost Sheep Triathlon in Ireland. The most beautiful triathlon
Since its inception in 2003 it has gained a reputation both nationally and internationally as the toughest half iron distance race on the Irish triathlon circuit. Traditionally staged in late August / early September, each year the event starts with a 1900m swim in the scenic Kenmare Bay.
This is followed by an 83km cycle which takes competitors along the Wild Atlantic Way, from Kenmare out along the ring of Beara peninsula before going up and over it to the other side. This journey takes competitors over two category one climbs. Firstly, the Healy pass. On reaching the top you cross the county border from the northern Kerry half of the peninsula into the southern Cork side after just over 27km into the cycle. You now have to navigate your way down the other side with its 6 switch-switch back hairpins to test your tour de France style descending technique on what can only be described as Ireland’s answer to l’Alpe d’Huez’s 21 switch-backs. Continuing back down to the ring of Beara, through the small town of Adrigole, from here you continue on into Glengarriff. On this stretch of road, you will be treated to stunning views over Bantry bay with Sheeps Head, Whiddy Island in the background. You now face the Caha pass which will take you from Glengarriff back to Kenamre over the Caha mountains. This time at the summit the border from Cork into Kerry is marked by a dark tunnel (don’t be scared) some 150 meters long which takes you straight through the side of Baurearagh Mountain.With just over 60km of the cycle completed at this point another spectacular 6km descent awaits down into the village of Bonane. This town gets its name from Fionn Mac Cumhall, the legendary leader of the Fianna who had house here some 6,000 years ago (Both-Fhionáin or Fionn’s house, now anglicised to Bonane). The section of road here has been poor in recent years but Kerry county council have resurfaced it, so be careful not to take off, it’s like a runway now. From here it is a simple 14km mainly downhill TT back to T2. The bike course is 10km short of a ‘normal’ half iron event but ask anyone who has done it if they wanted any more.
The recently updated 21km run course is almost as challenging as the cycle! It’s quiet country roads undulate along by the river Sheen before turning back and approaching Kenmare town over more hilly terrain. The final few kilometers of the race sweep downhill to the finish line in the heart of Kenmare town.
220Triathlon have listed The Lost Sheep as the 6th toughest half distance triathlon out there.
Outsider.ie website has listed The Lost Sheep as 4th best race to do in Ireland
have you looked at their big brand website lol.
it is a independent race.
this one?
elbaman in Italy missed (XX edition in 2025)
Came here to say Elbaman! We discovered it last year-road tripped from Nice to Elba after IM worlds because my husband wanted to race something off the beaten path while we were in Europe (and the race fell on my 40th birthday, so why not). Hands down, that was one of the most beautiful and challenging races I’ve ever done, and the local community support was fantastic-absolutely one of my favorite triathlon experiences.