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If you haven’t visited the German urban playground that is Frankfurt, then now’s your chance! Frankfurt am Main will play host to one of the stops on the Ironman Europe series this year. The Ironman Frankfurt is set to take place on the 2nd of July 2023.
The IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt happens in the summertime with hot conditions. The average daily air temperatures hover around the 77° F/25° C mark, while the water temperature in the lakes is a moderate 73° F /23° C.
The central German city, often referred to as the bustling metropolis on the Main River, will host both male and female Ironman athletes for this year’s event. The Ironman Frankfurt routes will take competitors through some of the region’s most beautiful traditional villages and landscapes, ending off in the historic Römerberg.
Ironman Frankfurt 2023 Race Details
For all Ironman triathlon competitions, the preparation for the race starts months in advance, and the grand finale is split into getting ready for the race day, the race day, and the glory after it.
The 2023 Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt is not different. Plan your trip to the city according to the calendar to make the most of it.
The annual triathlon event usually starts on Thursday with athletes’ registration and briefing. You must arrive at least one day in advance to do the registration, bike check-in, and enjoy the whole electric atmosphere.
More than 2300 male and female athletes from over 50 countries will be racing the Frankfurt Ironman which offers slots for the VinFast Ironman World Championships in Hawaii and Nice. Note that Elite Level Athletes and Age Group Athletes can seek a spot for the Ironman World Championship.
As with all of the Ironman Europe events, it will consist of the traditional swim, bike, and run.
Ironman Frankfurt Swim Course
The 3.8km/2.4-mile swim takes place in Langener Waldsee lake. It is a rather unique environment as the airport is close-by and competitors will frequently see jets and airplanes passing over them.
Avg water temp Fahrenheit 73° F / Celsius 23° C.
Ironman Frankfurt Bike Course
When you are done with your swimming portion, comes the 2-loop bike course. The 182 km/113-mile rolling bike ride begins at the Langener Waldsee and proceeds to take competitors back up towards the city.
It then passes through many of the nearby traditional villages that surround Frankfurt and is composed of two loops. They are often referred to as “Mainhattan” (see what they did there!) because of the tall buildings and impressive skyline.
Ironman Frankfurt Run Course
The event ends off with the four-loop run of 42.2km/26.2 miles. The course is pretty flat and takes competitors through downtown Frankfurt, finally ending at the historic Römerberg.
Avg air temp Fahrenheit 77º / Celsius 25º.
While the course is both flat and fast, summer temperatures can cause real problems for competitors – so don’t let it catch you off-guard!
Right, that just about sums up all you need to know about the course for this year’s Frankfurt Ironman. If you’re still on the fence about it, just do it. Pain is temporary, pride is forever!
For some inspiration check out the IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt website from the last few years. You can see the Ironman Frankfurt results and athletes’ average qualifying times.
In case the Ironman in Frankfurt doesn’t fit into your calendar, but you still want to race a Germany Ironman, then check the dates and info of Ironman Hamburg.
If you are looking for different distances, then have a look at Ironman Cervia – Italy which has the full distance, the 70.3 Ironman, and 5i50 races.
For a tropical adventure, give a try to Ironman Langkawi Malaysia which also offers slots for the world championship for Pros and Age Groupers.
Now let’s move onto the nitty-gritty – hotel considerations and places to stay in Frankfurt Ironman’s race.
What to consider when choosing your hotel in Frankfurt for Ironman Triathlon
As with most things in life where there are options available to you, you’re going to want to consider a few things before making your choice.
Hotel accommodation for Frankfurt Ironman is not different – you’re going to want to look at the various options before making a decision.
Let’s now take a look at some of the considerations to bear in mind when choosing your hotel for the Ironman Frankfurt:
- Budget! Let’s face it, the cost is one of the most important things to consider for most people. When deciding on your perfect accommodation in Frankfurt, boutique hotels are going to be one of the best options but can also end up being the most expensive. Lower-star hotels are going to be cheaper but not necessarily the most appealing or athlete friendly. It’s all about finding the cost versus comfort balance.
- Location! This is one of the most important considerations for the Ironman Frankfurt event. You’re going to want to be as close to the Ironman frankfurt start/finishing lines as possible. This makes accessing the event a breeze when it comes to race day. Also bear in mind your days off – you don’t want to be too far away from Frankfurt tourist attractions and places to eat.
- Is it bike friendly? This is particularly relevant for the Frankfurt triathlon as you’re going to have your iron steed with you (well, most likely carbon fiber) and you need to store it somewhere. Find a place that allows you to bring your bike along, whether it can be stored in the room or a separate storage garage.
- Are there training and recovery facilities? A gym, sauna, and steam room are important amenities to have especially as an Ironman athlete. A spa and wellness center also comes in handy for a relaxing massage pre or post-event.
- Is there a restaurant at the hotel or close by? Are any meals included in the price?
- What is the cancellation policy of the hotel?
- What are the ratings and reviews like?
The best hotels in Frankfurt for Ironman
Now that we’ve got the admin side out of the way, it’s time to start looking at some of the best places to stay in Frankfurt for the Ironman competition.
So, don’t worry if you’re wondering where to stay in Frankfurt – I’ve hand-selected a few of the best hotels in the city for you to choose from.
Let’s take a look!
Le Méridien Frankfurt (Ironman Partner Hotel)
Address: Wiesenhuettenplatz 38, Bahnhofsviertel, 60329 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Distance to the start: 16-minute drive (11.5km).
Distance to the T2 & finish line: 8-minute cycle (2.1km) or an 18-minute walk (1.4km).
The Le Méridien Frankfurt hotel is the official partner hotel for the Ironman Frankfurt event and boasts a 7.5/10 rating from just shy of 500 guest reviews. It is conveniently located within walking and cycling distance to the T2 and finish line of the event (just over 2 km at most).
The hotel itself has an on-site restaurant and bar, private parking, and a fitness center to be used by the event athletes. They are also bike friendly – they’re even allowed in the rooms so your trusty old steed will sleep alongside you.
Meliá Frankfurt City
Address: 13 Senckenberganlage, Westend, 60325 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Distance to the start: 15-minute drive (17km).
Distance to the T2 & finish line: 11-minute cycle (2.1km) or a 33-minute walk (2.7km).
The Meliá is a known and trusted hotel brand that is found throughout the world. Their Frankfurt hotel has an average guest review rating of 8.3/10 from more than 3,700 reviews, so they definitely know what they’re doing.
Amenities include a terrace, restaurant, on-site parking, a fitness center, and a spa and wellness center. These are the perfect combination for both pre and post-event warmups and recovery for competitors.
Maritim Hotel Frankfurt
Address: Theodor-Heuss-Allee 3, Westend, 60486 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Distance to the start: 16-minute drive (18km).
Distance to the T2 & finish line: 10-minute cycle (2.8km) or a 33-minute walk (2.8km).
The Maritim Hotel Frankfurt boasts a 7.6/10 rating from just less than 6000 guest reviews. It is conveniently located, and the rooms are spacious making it the perfect place to relax before and after the Ironman Frankfurt event.
One of the best features of the hotel is the indoor swimming pool – a great place to do some warmup laps or cool down after a visit to the fitness center. Other amenities include a bar, restaurant, and on-site parking.
Lindner Hotel & Residence Main Plaza
Address: Walther-von-Cronberg-Platz 1, Sachsenhausen, 60594 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Distance to the start: 18-minute drive (13km).
Distance to the T2 & finish line: 6-minute cycle (1.5 km) or a 17-minute walk (1.4 km).
The Lindner Hotel & Residence Main Plaza has, by far, the best location out of the hotels on this list. It is both a short walk or cycle from the finish line as well as to many of Frankfurt’s attractions. It boasts an 8.2/10 rating from more than 700 guest reviews – and it’s easy to see why.
It has both a spa and wellness center as well as an indoor swimming pool for competitors to warm up, cool down, or simply relax. There are also two restaurants in the hotel that serve different cuisines to suit your preference.
The New Brick Restaurant serves American-style cuisine, while the Gang und Gäbe restaurant focuses on traditional regional cuisine from Frankfurt and its surroundings.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel
Address: Hugo-Eckener-Ring 15, Airport / Terminal 1, 60549 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Distance to the start: 18-minute drive (12 km).
Distance to the T2 & finish line: 8-minute drive (8.5km).
While the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel is a bit further out, it’s located at the airport where most people are likely to fly into, so it is ideal. It is another option for competitors instead of opting for city center accommodation.
It boasts a 7.6/10 rating from just under 8,000 guest reviews so you know you can trust it. Amenities such as on-site parking, a restaurant, and a fitness center will make your stay that much better.
How to get to Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt, Germany is a major transportation hub with excellent international connectivity. You can reach Frankfurt by air, rail, or road.
Frankfurt Airport (code FRA) is one of the busiest airports in Europe and offers direct flights to over 200 destinations around the world.
You can check flights to Frankfurt on Skyscanner.
The airport is located about 14 km from the city center, by car it takes less than 20 minutes. If you’re planning to rent a car, there are several car rental companies at the airport but it is a good idea to book in advance to save some bucks.
You can check the prices and book your car rental here.
No car? No problem! There are regular trains connecting the airport to the city center.
Top Tip: Pay attention when booking your flights as Frankfurt has 2 airports, Frankfurt Airport (code FRA) which is located close to the city, and Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (code HHN) which is located 120 km from the city.
If you prefer to travel by train, Frankfurt has two major train stations – Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof and Frankfurt Airport Long-Distance Station – which are well-connected to other cities in Germany and Europe.
Additionally, Frankfurt is easily accessible by car via the German Autobahn network or by bus through various coach services.
Once you arrive in Frankfurt, there are several options for getting around the city, including the extensive public transportation network of buses, trams, and trains.
Travel Advice:
Don’t forget your Travel Insurance! You don’t want anything to ruin your trip, right? So don’t take the risk! Reliable travel insurance can help you in case of travel issues, from accidents to health problems, travel delays, and lost luggage.
There are many insurances in the market, our picks are HeyMondo and SafetyWing. We used both and always had a good experience. Click on the insurance names to get a quote.
Things to do in Frankfurt after Ironman 2023
You crossed the finish line, got your medal, enjoyed a well-deserved rest, and now have a few days to explore Frankfurt? Great, because there are many things to do in Frankfurt.
It’s a good idea to join a tour to see the city highlights and later explore Frankfurt on your own. The City Highlights and New Old Town Guided Walk by GetYourGuide is a good option.
There are also the River Main Sightseeing Cruise and the classic Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus. For a day trip, we recommend the Rhine Valley Day Trip, where you can see medieval castles and taste local wine.
Money saver tip: Get the Frankfurt Card and enjoy free public transportation and discounts at museums, tours, and restaurants.
Here it goes a list of tourist attractions in Frankfurt:
Romerberg – This historic square is located in the heart of Frankfurt’s old town and is home to several iconic buildings, including the Romer, Frankfurt’s city hall.
Goethe House – This museum is dedicated to the life and work of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of Germany’s most famous writers.
Main Tower – This skyscraper offers stunning views of Frankfurt’s skyline from its observation deck, located 200 meters above the ground.
Stadel Museum – This art museum has an impressive collection of European art, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day. Consider getting a private guide for a better experience.
For a unique experience check out this Hotrod vehicle sightseeing tour!
Palmengarten – This botanical garden features over 6,000 plant species from around the world and is a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city.
Frankfurt Zoo – This zoo is home to over 4,500 animals, including rare and endangered species from around the world.
Senckenberg Natural History Museum – This museum has a vast collection of natural history exhibits, including dinosaur skeletons and fossils.
Alte Oper – This historic opera house has been beautifully restored and hosts a range of cultural events throughout the year.
Sachsenhausen – This district is known for its lively bars, traditional cider taverns, and historic half-timbered houses.
Museum Embankment – This area along the Main River is home to several museums, including the Museum of Applied Arts and the German Film Museum, making it a popular destination for art and culture lovers.
Are you ready for Ironman Frankfurt 2023?
Choosing the perfect hotel for your competition is just part of the planning process. These annual races bring together a lot of athletes so you better book your Ironman stay in advance to get the best rooms and location.
It feels like you have a lot of time to get ready for the race day, but time flies, trust me. So you better think of accommodation, bike transport, nutrition, gear, and equipment you will take with you to this triathlon. Frankfurt will be a monumental race, so be ready to enjoy every single moment of it.
Wishing you an amazing Ironman Frankfurt race and maybe see you there!
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