My Weekend as a Spectator at Ironman Hamburg

A whole weekend of extremes: Last weekend, IRONMAN Hamburg transformed the city into a giant sporting stage. I spent two full days right by the sidelines as a spectator. As a true triathlon fan—though as an athlete, I will stick to my home race in Frankfurt—it was super interesting to watch this event closely from the outside.

Hamburg is known for having one of the fastest long-distance courses in the world. And you could really see it! The athletes were absolutely flying over the asphalt.

For anyone planning to support or watch the race next year, I have two crucial tips:

As a spectator, one of the most fascinating things to watch was the transition area. Hamburg easily has one of the longest Wechselzonen in the entire world! Stretching out far along the Alster, it feels like it never ends.

It was incredible to see how much extra work this is for the athletes. After a grueling swim, they don't just jump onto their bikes. They have to run what feels like a mini-marathon just to find their gear and get out of the transition zone! Watching them navigate this massive setup at top speed while transitioning from water to bike, and later bike to run, was an absolute highlight for anyone watching.

Speaking of weather: Athletes need to prepare for a cold day! Many people only train and prepare for extreme heat in their minds. In Hamburg, it got chilly—and that had consequences. I saw many athletes wearing very loose, baggy clothing to stay warm. Because of that, they lost so much time fighting the wind. The cold and the wrong gear made an already tough race so much harder than it needed to be.

But let me tell you what truly drove me crazy in the best way possible: the support on the run course! The crowd support was absolutely insane.

The entire marathon route along the Alster was one giant, non-stop party. Thousands of fans lined the streets, screaming, cheering, and pumping endless energy into the runners. Music was blasting, cowbells were ringing, and the noise level was off the charts. It didn’t matter if an athlete was leading the pack or struggling at the back—the crowd carried everyone forward. That electric atmosphere alone made standing out there for hours worth every single second! 

Despite the cold weather and the nasty sabotage acts with metal splinters on the bike course, sportsmanship won in the end. 

The absolute best part for me as a spectator was the finish line at the crowded Rathausmarkt. It was amazing to see how the massive pressure on everyone—athletes, coaches, and families—suddenly vanished at the finish. In just one second, that heavy pressure turned into pure relief and boundless joy. In the end, it was just a beautiful, massive triathlon party where every single finishing time was celebrated.

Hamburg, you were great—but my heart still beats for Frankfurt!