Köln Triathlon Adventure

My first international triathlon, and what better place than Suzie's hometown of

Cologne, Germany? As the only Australian competitor among the field, it felt pretty

special. I'd been eagerly anticipating this race since entering at the end of last year,

aiming for an age group podium. I just missed out, finishing 4th in my category with a

total time of 3 hours 55 minutes, and 74th out of 578 overall. It was a PTO Rankings

Race too, sharing the course with a pro field, which added to the excitement.

The event was executed flawlessly—from pre-race communications and social media

updates to packet collection and bike check-in (complete with free beer, a first for

me!). Race day organization, the course layout, prime location, enthusiastic crowds,

recovery zone, entertainment, and expo were all top-notch. Swimming in the Rhine

River is normally banned in areas like Köln and Düsseldorf due to strong

undercurrents, whirlpools, underwater obstacles, massive ships, and variable water

quality. Getting caught could mean a €1000 fine (about $1800 AUD), so the

opportunity to swim there legally was truly cool. Race morning brought 12°C air and

18°C water temps, rising to 27°C on the run. Wetsuits were mandatory—if you sank or

got swept away without one, rescue chances were slim.

Adding to the challenge, my watch froze mid-race, displaying "triathlon" and 0:00

with no other info. I'd felt the 500m vibe alerts in the swim, so I hoped it was tracking

in the background and guessed transitions. With all course info and signs in German,

and three distances overlapping on similar tracks, navigating without pace, distance,

or time data was tough. I went purely by feel, using German phrases for directions

and chatting with competitors—the camaraderie was incredible, and understanding

the spectators' cheers was a highlight.

Swim: I exited the water in 2nd place, catching the age group that started 10 minutes ahead

around the 2km mark. The 2.6km leg averaged 1:21 per 100m. Sighting the iconic Kölner

Dom (Cologne Cathedral) and passing under the Hohenzollern Bridge was awe-inspiring.

Bike: I overtook plenty but got passed a few times too, dismounting in 12th. The 72.4km

course (shortened last-minute from 80km due to roadworks and another event) averaged

36.8km/h. It featured fast freeway straights, tight bends, U-turns, 40km of head and side

winds, and cobblestone sections—variety at its best.

Run: Overfueling on the bike (thanks to guessing efforts without watch data) led to stomach

cramps and nausea, which took two laps to subside. With distances and age groups all

mixed, I had no clue on positioning—passing heaps but getting overtaken occasionally. The

last two laps felt strong; I ran freely and soaked in the atmosphere. The 19km averaged 4:17

per km, placing me 6th in that leg.

Logistically and linguistically challenging, but absolutely worth it. Without Suzie and her

family, it would've been near-impossible—thank you! James loved every moment (check his

cheers in the swim start video); he's gearing up for his first Kids Tri at Bribie later this

month.

As SSG Multisports members, we're all about pushing boundaries, and this race embodied

that spirit—especially starting from our strong swim group roots. Can't wait for more

adventures!