Top 5 triathlons to do before you die – the ULTIMATE swim-bike-run bucket list

So many races, so little time. There’s an incredible number of epic triathlons on the race calendar these days. But to experience them all, you’d probably need to get Doc to work some Back to the Future magic on your TT bike so you could use time travel to get through your ever-growing triathlon to do list.

With that in mind, we’ve debated it here at TRI247 HQ (largely avoiding any major fisticuffs…) and come up with our ULTIMATE top 5 must-do triathlons to do before you die.

Check out our picks below… do you agree, or are you sharpening up your pitch fork right now? If you’ve managed to tick these off already, we’ve also got an extended triathlon bucket list which you can take a look at right here.

Challenge Roth

Where: Roth, Germany
Distances: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run
Why race: Epic atmosphere, 40 years of history and some of the fastest known finish times on the planet. It’s the Tour de France of triathlon!

Nothing says ‘goose bumps’ like the magic of Solar Hill!

Given that it sells out online in under 60 seconds every year. And people even camp out to queue up in person to enter the day after the race. It’s no surprise that Challenge Roth sits right at the top of most triathlete’s bucket list. Hundreds of thousands of spectators line the streets of this small Bavarian town, creating a roaring atmosphere that makes this the ultimate triathlon party.

In its 40 year history, Challenge Roth has set the stage for plenty of record-breaking performances and epic battles out on the race course. Swim-bike-run in the footsteps of triathlon legends – everyone needs to tick Challenge Roth off at least once in a lifetime.

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IRONMAN Wales

Where: Tenby, Wales, UK
Distances: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run
Why race: One of the toughest IRONMAN events you’ll find, which brings the entire town out in force to support those brave enough to try and ‘slay the dragon’.

The legendary beach start at IRONMAN Wales

The sun rises over the horizon (if you’re lucky). The beach fills with wetsuit-clad triathletes and thousands of spectators. The countdown begins, and the tension builds. In a blaze of glory, the hardy souls brave enough to try and ‘slay the dragon’ at the notoriously difficult IRONMAN Wales run into the crashing waves of Camarthen Bay. IRONMAN Wales has earned itself a legendary status, with the small town of Tenby becoming known as the ‘Iron Town’ thanks to the insane spectator support. And the rugged Pembrokeshire coast line provides a race course that pushes even the most experienced to their limits.

If you want a race where the epic challenge is matched by the epic crowds – IRONMAN Wales is for you.

IRONMAN World Championship Kona

Where: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Distance: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run
Why race: The birth place of Iron distance triathlon

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

Hawaii is often seen as the home of long distance triathlon. Back in 1978, the first Ironman event took place on the island of Honolulu – the brain child of Judy and John Collins. Moving to the Big Island of Kona in 1980, it’s been seen as the pinnacle of long course triathlon racing ever since.

Not only is getting your name on the start list a huge deal in its own right – you’ll need to qualify by placing high up in your age category at another IRONMAN event. Once you arrive on the Big Island, you’re surrounded by paradise-like scenery, striking lava rocks and the most incredible ocean views. There aren’t many races where you’re in with a strong chance of swimming with dolphins during your pre-race practice swim!

Norseman

Where: Eidfjord, Norway
Distance: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run
Why race: An epic challenge and one of the most extreme full distance triathlons going – complete the Norseman for a lifetime’s supply of kudos and bragging rights.

Athletes prepare for the start of Norseman 2023 (Photo – NXTRI/Snorre Veggan)

From the burning heat of Kona to the icy cold waters of Einfjord, Norway. The Norseman has earned itself a fabled reputation as being one of the toughest full distance triathlons on the planet. More of an adventure and a reckoning that it is a race, the tag line is ‘this is not for you’. And yet, every year thousands of hopefuls clamour to be one of the (un)lucky 290 who get to take to the start line.

Race day at Norseman starts with an adrenaline-fuelled leap of faith off the back of a ferry into icy cold waters. Once athletes make it to shore, they’ve got over 5000m of climbing to contend with on the point to point course. And only 160 of those who started will have the opportunity to see what they’re made of and attempt to make it all the way to the top of Mt. Gaustatoppen.

It’s the type of race that makes a ‘regular’ Iron distance triathlon look easy. If you want to win every game of triathlon top trumps going – the Norseman might be for you. Just be prepared to endure the extreme and dig deeper. You know it’s serious when there’s an ’emergency/survival bag’ included as standard in your race pack!

Escape from Alcatraz

Where: San Francisco, USA
Distance: 1.5 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 8 mile run
Why race: Iconic race and the ultimate challenge for those not wanting to race a full Iron distance

Ben Kanute [Photo credit: Escape from Alcatraz]

Escape from Alcatraz triathlon has become almost as infamous as the jail break it was inspired by. With its history dating back to 1981, this is one of the OG extreme triathlons.

A notoriously tough swim starts the day, with cold water temperatures and intense currents forcing athletes to battle their way back to shore. In the early days, athletes were falling off their bikes – shivering with cold – after the swim. And so a five minute ‘warm up’ run was introduced between the swim and the bike, another quirk of this unique race. A gruelling 18 mile ride follows, with the hills of San Francisco packing a punch. Before an 8 mile run, including a scramble up the famous ‘sand ladder’ really tests what athletes are made of.

The tough course and punishing conditions make Escape From Alcatraz an epic challenge. Just watch out for sharks!

Ticked all these off, or looking for something a little less hardcore? Check out our Let’s Race… guides for more inspiration.

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