01Jungfernstieg and Binnenalster, prior swim
Find space to settle the first long-course stroke
A single lap through the Inner and Outer Alster starting at Jungfernstieg gives a controlled, scenic opening. Settle into rhythm and let the city views pass by rather than racing them.
Settle by 400 m. Breathe on a fixed pattern.
02Außenalster, later swim stage
Leave the water composed for the bike
The course opens past the Landungsbrücken, fish market and Speicherstadt. This lap repeats, so ride it at a number you can hold twice.
Cap effort through the city sections. Fuel before the countryside stretch.
03Speicherstadt, early full-distance bike
Set power before the open roads
The route heads along the dyke and through the Kirchwerder Wiesen Nature Reserve. Ride to your planned power here, since this stretch comes around again on lap two.
Ride to power or effort. Keep drinking on the exposed dyke sections.
04Vier- und Marschlande, first bike circuit
Keep the fuelling regular on flatter roads
The second loop retraces the same city landmarks and the same countryside dyke. Match your effort to lap one rather than reacting to how the legs feel.
Compare effort to lap one. Stay on the fuelling schedule.
05Vier- und Marschlande, later bike circuit
Stop defending an ambitious average speed
The run passes through Gänsemarkt, Rathausmarkt and Jungfernstieg with a crowd IRONMAN calls incomparable. This is the easiest loop to go out too hard on.
Shorten stride out of T2. Hold your opening pace regardless of the noise.
06Returning through Hamburg towards T2
Bring functioning legs to the Alster
Passing the same downtown streets a second time gives a clear read on how loop one's pace is actually holding up. Adjust the plan here, not on loop four.
Compare loop two to loop one. Keep fuelling on schedule.
07Alster running loops, early marathon
Treat the first city circuit as preparation
The third loop is where an honest first half either holds or starts to fade. Manage the effort rather than the pace if it's slipping.
Reassess goal pace honestly. Keep taking aid on schedule.
08Rathausmarkt, marathon finish
Use the last lap for whatever remains
The final loop finishes along the Alster and through the city centre. If the first three loops were paced evenly, this is where you find out.
Decide the finish honestly. Use the downtown crowd for the last push.