Triathlons in NRW 2027: Race Dates from Cologne to Duisburg

Rhine swims in Cologne and Bonn, a middle distance in Duisburg, a pool triathlon in Aachen: these are the 2027 triathlons in North Rhine-Westphalia, sorted by whether you're planning a first race, a relay or the middle distance.

Chris Mühlnickel · 4 October 2026 · 11 min read

Triathlons in NRW 2027: Race Dates from Cologne to Duisburg

In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in 2027 you can swim in the Rhine, start with a jump off a ferry, cycle through an open-cast lignite mine or do your first triathlon in an indoor pool. The season runs from spring into September, and many races sell out long in advance. This guide collects the triathlons between Cologne, Duisburg, Münster and the Sauerland, sorted by what you're after: a first race, a relay with your running group, or the middle distance.

All details as of 3 October 2026. Several organisers haven't published their 2027 dates yet; in that case we say "date to follow" and give the 2026 edition as a guide.

The 2027 triathlons at a glance

Date Event Place Distances Status
Sun, 6 June RYZON Bonn Triathlon Bonn 4.2 km / 65 km / 15 km, relay confirmed
Sun, 13 June Swim & Run Köln Cologne, Lake Fühlingen swim and run, no bike confirmed
Sun, 20 June Sparda Münster City Triathlon Münster sprint-style Volksdistanz, Olympic, inclusion confirmed
Sun, 20 June indeland Triathlon Eschweiler and Aldenhoven sprint, Olympic, middle distance, relays confirmed
Sat, 26 June ITH-Hennesee-Triathlon Meschede, Lake Henne distances on organiser's site confirmed
Sun, 27 June Herbrand Niederrhein Triathlon N3T Kalkar, Lake Wissel taster to N3T distance confirmed
Sun, 29 August IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg Duisburg, Sportpark middle distance confirmed
date to follow Köln Triathlon Cologne, Rhine sprint, Olympic, middle distance, relays 2026: 5 and 6 September
date to follow Abraxas-Triathlon Aachen-Brand Jedermann (open), taster, relays 2026: 3 May
date to follow ATV Triathlon Hückeswagen Olympic-style, sprint-style, quadrathlon 2026: 21 June
date to follow Stadtwerke Bochum-Triathlon Bochum taster and longer distances 2026: 12 July
date to follow Sparkassen Triathlon Dortmund Dortmund, harbour Olympic, relay 2026: 19 July
date to follow Nibelungen-Triathlon Xanten Olympic and shorter, relay 2026: 41st edition

Sources: bonn-triathlon.de, swim-run-koeln.de, muenster-triathlon.de, indeland-triathlon.de, trifunhennesee.de, niederrhein-triathlon.de, ironman.com, koeln-triathlon.com, brander-sv.de, atv-triathlon.de, bochum-triathlon.de, sparkassen-triathlon-dortmund.de, triathlon-xanten.de.

In the Rhine: Cologne and Bonn

Two NRW races take you right into the river.

The Köln Triathlon is a weekend built for a big field: on 6 September 2026 the organiser reported a "record day with 4,200 athletes" (Source: koeln-triathlon.com, Aktuelles). Every distance starts in the Rhine. The Olympic distance is 2.2 km of swimming, 2.1 km of it in the current and 100 m in the Deutz harbour, then 45.9 km on the bike and 9.4 km running; transition is in the Rheinpark and the finish at the Tanzbrunnen (Source: koeln-triathlon.com, Olympische Distanz). The middle distance covers 2.6 km, 87.3 km and 19 km, the sprint 1.4 km from the Deutz bridge, 20 km and 4.8 km. A wetsuit is compulsory on every distance, whatever the water temperature (Source: koeln-triathlon.com, middle and sprint distance pages). In 2026 every price tier on every distance sold out. The organiser hasn't published the 2027 date yet. There's more on the course and entries in our Köln Triathlon guide, and more Cologne races under running events in Cologne.

At the RYZON Bonn Triathlon on 6 June 2027, the race starts with a jump off the Rhine ferry. The individual distance is unusually balanced: 4.2 km swimming in the Rhine, 65 km cycling up into the Siebengebirge hills and 15 km running along the Rhine promenade. There's a relay category, and the field has room for more than 1,600 athletes. Since 2025 the race has been run jointly by PSV Bonn Triathlon and SSF Bonn Triathlon, and it's been going for more than 30 years (Source: bonn-triathlon.de). For anyone coming from running, that means the focus is in the water and on the bike, with a 15 km run to finish. All Bonn dates are under running events in Bonn.

The middle distance: IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg and indeland

The IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg takes place on 29 August 2027 in the Sportpark Duisburg. The swim is on the historic rowing regatta course with its grandstand, and IRONMAN describes the course as flat and fast, with little elevation and well suited to a first 70.3 (Source: ironman.com, IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg). Regular individual entries have gone; according to IRONMAN, relay places and "NIRVANA" packages are still available (Source: ironman.com). Everything on the course, schedule and travel is in our IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg guide. Because it's the nearest IRONMAN race for many cities in the west, it appears on the running-events pages for Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen, Bochum, Dortmund, Münster and Aachen.

If you want a middle distance with character and still need an individual place, look west. The indeland Triathlon on 20 June 2027 starts at Lake Blaustein in Eschweiler, the bike course runs through the mining landscape, and the run is a loop in Aldenhoven finishing in the Römerpark. The middle distance covers 1.9 km, 84 km and 20 km, the Olympic distance 1.5 km, 46 km and 10 km, and the sprint 0.5 km, 20 km and 5 km, each also as a relay (Source: indeland-triathlon.de, 2027 race information). Fees rise by date: the middle distance costs €181 from 1 October to 31 December 2026 and €221 from 1 January 2027; the sprint €81 and €91 respectively. For the Olympic and middle distances you need a German federation licence (Startpass) or a day licence for €21 or €22; not for the sprint or relays. Starts are rolling from 9 am (middle), 9:50 am (Olympic) and 11:35 am (sprint); entries close on 2 June 2027 and there's no late entry (Source: indeland-triathlon.de, 2027 race information).

And in Cologne, the middle distance with a Rhine swim is a third option once the 2027 date is out.

Lakes and reservoirs: Lower Rhine, Sauerland, Bergisches Land

Many NRW triathlons take place on lakes, with calmer water than the Rhine.

The Herbrand Niederrhein Triathlon N3T on Lake Wissel in Kalkar takes place for the ninth time on 27 June 2027 (Source: niederrhein-triathlon.de). In 2026 there were four distances: a taster over 0.2 km, 10.5 km and 2.5 km, a sprint over 0.5, 19 and 5 km, an Olympic distance over 1.5, 38 and 10 km, and the N3T distance with 1.5 km swimming, 76 km cycling and 10 km running, plus relays with one person per discipline (Source: niederrhein-triathlon.de, 2026 race information).

In the Sauerland, the ITH-Hennesee-Triathlon holds its 18th edition at Lake Henne near Meschede on 26 June 2027 (Source: trifunhennesee.de). It's organised jointly by ITH Schraubtechnik, Meschede's town marketing and the club TriFun Hennesee, and entries run through the club's site. More races in the region under running events in the Sauerland.

In the Bergisches Land, the ATV Triathlon starts in the Bever reservoir in Hückeswagen, which the organiser calls one of the first triathlon events in Europe. The 41st edition took place on 21 June 2026, with an Olympic-style distance over 1.5 km, 36 km and 10 km, a sprint-style distance over 0.5, 18 and 5 km, relays, and a quadrathlon that adds 5 km of paddling after the run (Source: atv-triathlon.de). The 2027 date is still to come. More under running events in the Bergisches Land.

The Lower Rhine also has the Nibelungen-Triathlon in Xanten, which took place for the 41st time in 2026, with an Olympic distance, a shorter distance and relays (Source: triathlon-xanten.de, Zeitplan). The organiser hasn't announced a 2027 date yet.

In the city: Münster and Dortmund

Two races bring triathlon right into town. The Sparda Münster City Triathlon on 20 June 2027 offers a Volksdistanz (sprint-style "people's distance") and an Olympic distance, the former also as a relay, plus inclusion categories for individuals and relays; entries are open (Source: muenster-triathlon.de). More in our Münster Triathlon guide and under running events in Münster.

The Sparkassen Triathlon Dortmund moved to a new setting in 2026, the Dortmund harbour at the Lensing Media Port, where it took place on 19 July with an Olympic distance and relays (Source: sparkassen-triathlon-dortmund.de). The 2027 date is still to come. All Dortmund races are under running events in Dortmund.

Your first triathlon: start in the pool

For many runners, open water is the biggest hurdle. Some NRW races sidestep it by holding the swim in a pool.

At the Abraxas-Triathlon in Aachen-Brand you swim in a 25 m pool at around 26 degrees, and wetsuits are banned. The Jedermann (open) distance covers 500 m, 21 km and 5 km, and there are taster and relay categories plus races for schoolchildren and juniors. In 2026 it took place on 3 May and sold out completely (Source: brander-sv.de, Abraxas-Triathlon). More under running events in Aachen.

The Stadtwerke Bochum-Triathlon swims in the 50 m Olympic pool at Wiesental. Alongside longer distances there's a taster triathlon over 400 m, 10 km and 2.5 km and youth races, and the club holds information evenings for newcomers before race day. In 2026 it was on 12 July, and shortly before only a few places were left (Source: bochum-triathlon.de). More dates under running events in Bochum.

In Bielefeld, the Bielefelder Triathlon also sold out for its 30th edition in 2026 (Source: triathlon-bielefeld.de); the city's races are under running events in Bielefeld. And Bonn has the Friesathlon at the Friesdorf open-air pool, a neighbourhood event over about 500 m, 11 km and 8 km with around 100 participants aged 10 to 90. The club itself points out that it isn't an official federation race (Source: friesi.org).

No bike at all at Swim & Run Köln on 13 June 2027 at Lake Fühlingen: short over 0.5 km swimming and 5 km running, long over 1 km and 10 km, individually or as a relay. If you only want to run, there's the Lake Run over 5 or 10 km. The cheapest prices apply until 29 November 2026 (Source: swim-run-koeln.de, Infos).

If you like rough terrain, Tri Club Wuppertal runs the Wuppertaler Sparkassen Crosstriathlon, with the "Bergischer Hammer" and the shorter "Hämmerchen"; the 2026 edition sold out (Source: triclub-wuppertal.de). More under running events in Wuppertal.

From running to triathlon: a ladder for 2027

If you mostly run, there's no need to aim straight for a middle distance. The NRW calendar lets you build a season step by step:

  1. No open water: a pool triathlon such as Aachen-Brand (May in 2026) or a taster triathlon such as Bochum (July in 2026), once the 2027 dates are out.
  2. June, water without a bike: Swim & Run Köln on 13 June, to test lake swimming under race conditions.
  3. June, a first sprint or Olympic distance in a lake: indeland on 20 June and N3T on 27 June both offer sprint and Olympic distances; the Münster City Triathlon on 20 June has the Volksdistanz.
  4. Late summer, the big step: the middle distance in Duisburg on 29 August or, once its date is set, Cologne with a Rhine swim.

The order follows a simple logic: first one new discipline, then two, then all three, and the distance only grows once transitions feel routine. For runners the run is rarely the problem; the bike and open water are.

Into a relay with your running group

A triathlon relay is the easiest way to get a running group to the start line: one person swims, one rides, one runs. Relays are offered in Cologne on the Olympic and middle distances, in Bonn, at the indeland Triathlon on all three distances, at N3T, in Münster, Hückeswagen and Dortmund, and as an entry option at the IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg. Check the age limits: at indeland, for example, all relay members must be at least 14, and on the middle distance the cyclist must be 17 and the runner 16 (Source: indeland-triathlon.de, 2027 race information). At N3T one person may cover two disciplines, but under-18s may not do two in a row (Source: niederrhein-triathlon.de, 2026 race information).

Enter early

The NRW triathlon season follows a pattern: the popular races fill up long before training starts. In 2026 the Köln Triathlon (every distance), the Abraxas-Triathlon, the Bielefelder Triathlon and the Wuppertal cross triathlon all sold out, and the IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg 2027 has no regular individual places left. Where entries are open, prices often rise by date, at indeland for example on 1 January 2027. For an overview of the big races across Germany, from Roth to Hamburg, see our guide to the biggest triathlons and IRONMAN races in Germany.

Running is best trained in a group

Swimming and cycling need a pool and a road; running you can share with others. Many Lauftreffs (group runs) and run clubs in Cologne and Düsseldorf have fixed midweek sessions and long weekend runs that fit well into a triathlon plan. Find an overview under running in Cologne and running in Düsseldorf. If you'd like to slot in a pure running race as a fitness test in spring, our guide to spring half marathons 2027 in the Rhineland has the dates.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Which triathlons are there in NRW in 2027?
Confirmed so far include the RYZON Bonn Triathlon (6 June), Swim & Run Köln (13 June), the Münster City Triathlon and the indeland Triathlon (both 20 June), the ITH-Hennesee-Triathlon (26 June), the Niederrhein Triathlon N3T in Kalkar (27 June) and the IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg (29 August). The Köln Triathlon and several club races haven't set their 2027 dates yet (as of 3 October 2026).
When is the Köln Triathlon 2027?
The organiser hasn't published the 2027 date yet (as of 3 October 2026). In 2026 it took place on 5 and 6 September with sprint, Olympic, middle distance and relays, and every distance sold out (Source: koeln-triathlon.com).
Are there still places for the IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg 2027?
Not regular individual places. According to IRONMAN, relay places and NIRVANA packages are still available for 29 August 2027 (Source: ironman.com, as of 3 October 2026).
Which NRW triathlon suits beginners?
Pool triathlons take away the fear of open water, for example the Abraxas-Triathlon in Aachen-Brand (500 m in a 25 m pool, 21 km bike, 5 km run) or the taster triathlon in Bochum over 400 m, 10 km and 2.5 km (Sources: brander-sv.de, bochum-triathlon.de). Both have yet to announce their 2027 dates.
Where can I swim in the Rhine in NRW?
At the Köln Triathlon every distance starts in the Rhine, exiting at the Rheinpark (Source: koeln-triathlon.com). At the RYZON Bonn Triathlon on 6 June 2027 you jump off the Rhine ferry and swim 4.2 km (Source: bonn-triathlon.de).

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