Name: VR-Banken Schleswig-Holstein Triathlon 2026
Start: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Schleibucht / Schleswig

VR-Banken Triathlon

About VR-Banken Triathlon

The VR-Banken Schleswig-Holstein Triathlon is one of the most important triathlon events in northern Germany. Over the half-distance (1.5 km swimming, 108 km cycling with 400 m elevation gain, 17 km running), the race leads from the historic town of Schleswig through the hilly Schlei landscape. In mid-September, the Viking city transforms into a meeting point for triathletes from all over the north and beyond. With individual start and relay options.

Dates 15 Sep — 15 Sep 2026

Venue Schleswig (01059)

Prices —

Status —

Edition 2026

VR-Banken Triathlon — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 2026 edition of the VR-Banken Schleswig-Holstein Triathlon is planned for mid-September. The exact date has not yet been publicly communicated (as of Spring 2026); the competition is traditionally held on a Sunday in mid-September. The course and format remain unchanged: 1.5 km swimming in the Schlei, 108 km cycling with 400 meters of elevation gain, 17 km running in two laps. Individual start and relay option.

A Traditional September Tradition

In previous years, the triathlon took place on September 15, 2024 and September 17, 2023 — both times on a Sunday in mid-September. The exact date for 2026 will likely be published by the SHTU in the summer of 2026.

What Remains

The courses, distances, and format of the VR-Banken Triathlon have been proven for years. The L-distance with its 400 meters of elevation gain on the cycling course makes the competition one of the most demanding half-distances in Northern Germany.

Highlights VR-Banken Triathlon 2026

Half-distance with 400m elevation gain on the cycling course — demanding for Northern Germany. Swimming course in the Schlei. Running course through the historic Viking city.

Programme VR-Banken Triathlon 2026

Course Plan

Swimming — 1.5 km

Swimming course in the Schlei, Germany's longest fjord
One lap

Cycling — 108 km

Hilly course through the Angeliter Schweiz and the Schleswig hill country
400 meters of elevation gain — demanding for northern German conditions

Running — 17 km

Two laps of 8.5 km each
Course through the historic Viking city of Schleswig

Start Options

Individual start over the L-distance
Relay option (teams swimming / cycling / running)

Detailed program, start times, and registration as soon as published at shtu.de.

Prices VR-Banken Triathlon 2026

Entry fees are tiered depending on the registration date. Details from the SHTU.

Practical information

Practical information — VR-Banken Triathlon

Getting There

Schleswig train station (RB from Kiel approx. 35 min., from Flensburg approx. 25 min.). By car: A7 exit Schleswig/Jagel.

Registration

Online via shtu.de or finishers.com. Entry fees are tiered depending on the registration date — early registration is recommended.

Tip

For triathlon companions: Schlei Bay, Viking Museum Haithabu, Gottorf Castle — the region offers an ideal program for the competition day.

One of Northern Germany's Toughest Triathlon Courses

The VR-Banken Schleswig-Holstein Triathlon combines 1.5 km of swimming, 108 km of cycling with 400 m of elevation gain, and 17 km of running (two laps of 8.5 km each) — a half-distance variant (L-distance) that is significantly more demanding than a regular half-triathlon (HM/Olympic). The course leads through the Schlei landscape with its rolling moraines, making the cycling section the real challenge: 400 meters of elevation gain is considerable by northern German standards.

Schleswig as the Venue

The competition utilizes the natural advantages of Schleswig on the Schlei Bay. The Schlei — Germany's longest fjord — offers the ideal swimming course; the hilly landscape of the Angeliter Schweiz and the hills around Schleswig provide the cycling topography; and the run leads through the historic Viking city with Gottorf Castle and the Viking Museum Haithabu (UNESCO World Heritage) as backdrops.

Organizer and Format

The organizer is the Schleswig-Holstein Triathlon Union (SHTU), the state association for triathlon. The competition offers:

Individual start over the L-distance
Relay start for teams (swimming, cycling, running)
Competitions for various age and performance classes

In Schleswig-Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig is the district capital of Schleswig-Flensburg and is located at the mouth of the Schlei — one of Schleswig-Holstein's most historic cities, a seat of Danish kings, and a Viking capital. Triathletes benefit from a scenically diverse course, which has regularly been scheduled for mid-September in recent years — a tradition that will continue in 2026.