Hearing the words “YOU ARE AN IRONMAN” shouted by the event compère as you cross the finish line for the first time, is no doubt one of the proudest moments of any triathlete’s life. You sacrificed six months of your life to cross that line – you’ve forgotten what the inside of a pub looks like and you’ve had to schedule one hour catch ups with friends, family and loved ones to fit them into your training schedule. But suddenly it all makes sense. All that hard work and sacrifice is worth it because you did it! You are an ironman, and regardless of how your race went, you feel amazing! And it’s that very feeling that drags people back to IRONMAN events year after year.
So as winter approaches and we turn our minds to goals for 2017, here’s a quick rundown of the European Ironman schedule for 2017 which runs from April to October. Go on…you know you’re tempted. We certainly are.
Lucy Gossage racing to victory at IRONMAN UK
IRONMAN Lanzarote (Spain) – 20 May 2017
The oldest and most iconic route on the European circuit and seen as one of the hardest European Ironman courses out there. The atmosphere at this race is electric and as it’s so popular, it is likely to sell out soon. Don’t miss out.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 25° C
Average water temperature: 18-20° C
IRONMAN Austria (Klagenfurt) – 2 July 2017 – *SOLD OUT*
Considered one of the most beautiful races in the world, this race specialises in crowd support so expect a raucous finish line.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 24° C
Average water temperature: 22° C
YJ’s MD Ryan – finishing in Austria
IRONMAN Frankfurt, Germany – 9 July 2017 – *SOLD OUT*
Frankfurt hosts the Ironman European Championships and as such is a popular event, luring the very best triathletes from across Europe. You can expect more spectators on the bike course than any other event and a historic finish line.
Kona slots available: 75
Average peak temperature: 24° C
Average water temperature: 20-22° C
IRONMAN UK (Bolton) – 16 July 2017
Expect changeable British weather and a tough course with a deceptively hard run. That said, this race sells out each year and you’ll definitely feel like you’ve earned your medal by the finish.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 20° C
Average water temperature: 16-19° C
IRONMAN Switzerland (Zurich) – 20 July 2017
The real highlight at Zurich is the cycle. With an excellent TT stretch at the start, each loop has two iconic climbs (known as the beast and the aptly named heartbreak hill!) where crowds will cheer you on with cow bells. They changed the run course in 2016 to make it more scenic and importantly, faster (shame I did it in 2014!).
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 24° C
Average water temperature: 22-24° C
YJ’s Emily reaching the finish of IRONMAN Zurich full of emotion
IRONMAN Maastrict-Limburg (Netherlands) – 6 August 2017
New on the scene in 2015, this race offers a river swim with the first half upstream and second downstream. The bike appears bumpier than you might expect in the Netherlands, but the enthusiastic crowds appear to win over the hearts of all competitors.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 25° C
Average water temperature: 18° C
IRONMAN Hamburg (Germany) – 7 August 2017
Brand new for 2017. Hamburg has hosted many triathlons in the past, so this race should be a good one. Plus you get to swim through two lakes.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 24° C
Average water temperature: 18-20° C
IRONMAN KALMAR (Sweden) – 19 August
Launched in 2012, this event has fast become a favourite on the calendar. In a beautiful part of the world, it’s a great race to run, and tag on a holiday afterwards. A chilly swim in the Baltic Sea and you get to ride over a 6km long bridge.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 18.8° C
Average water temperature: 19-23° C
IRONMAN Copenhagen (Denmark) – 20 August 2017
Copenhagen is easily one of Europe’s most dynamic cities and the run loops are more like a sightseeing tour. This event sells out quickly as it’s flat and fast.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 21° C
Average water temperature: 20-24° C
IRONMAN Vichy (France) – 27 August 2017
Fast, flat and beautiful French countryside, what more could you want? This event wants to become the biggest triathlon festival in Europe within three years. What’s not to like?
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 23° C
Average water temperature: 21° C
IRONMAN Wales (Tenby) – 10 September 2017
For the hardcore, this race is well-renowned for having one of the toughest, if not the toughest, course on the entire IRONMAN circuit. This race is guaranteed to be tough and those who have completed it have been known to declare ‘You’re not a real Ironman until you’ve completed IRONMAN Wales!’
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 16° C
Average water temperature: 16° C
IRONMAN Emilia Romagna (Italy) – 23 September
A brand new race that looks fantastic. The flat (-ish) bike course will take you past the salt pans, home to thousands of flamingos (it’s like safari racing!) and then you’ll be lucky enough to run through Vervia and Milano Maritime’s most prominent landmarks. Entries open soon.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 26° C
Average water temperature: 24° C
IRONMAN Barcelona (Spain) – 1 October 2017
You’re guaranteed a great after race party in Barcelona! This race offers a relatively flat and fast end to the season for many in a beautiful part of the world.
Kona slots available: 40
Average peak temperature: 26° C
Average water temperature: 24° C
IRONMAN Mallorca (Spain) – TBC
IRONMAN France (Nice) – TBC
IRONMAN Weymouth (UK) – This event will not be running in 2017. A 70.3 will, however.
It looks like most of these European Ironman races still have space (3 November 2016), but I’m sure that won’t be the case for long so now’s the time to make your commitment. Although the general entry places for Austria and Frankfurt have sold out, you can still get race places through our partner, Nirvana Europe.
Signed up for an Ironman this year? Make sure you have proper Ironman Travel Insurance to cover medical mishaps and repatriation if you injure yourself racing overseas.