VR-Banken Schleswig-Holstein Triathlon

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.