Search
shop

Grimm Xtreme Triathlon: Xtri arrives in Germany

After a test race this year, Xtri arrives in Germany in June 2021. Entries are now open for the first full edition of the Grimm Xtreme Triathlon
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Grimm Xtreme Triathlon – 19th June 2021

Given their long distance history and success, surprisingly perhaps, Germany had not previously hosted an Xtreme Triathlon.

That changed this year when a small group of athletes representing five countries overcame Covid restrictions and the challenging course during our fairy tale test race.

The first full edition of the Grimm Xtreme Triathlon will take place, for solo athletes or teams, on 19th June 2021. Entries are now open on the event website: www.grimmxtri.com.

Grimm Xtreme Triathlon

The Grimm Xtri story begins near Edersee Dam which was partially destroyed by a “bouncing bomb” in WW2. Starting in the shadow of the midsummer night, the swim heads North towards Castle Waldeck atop a forested hill towering above the lake.

Grimm Xtreme Triathlon
Edersee Dam

The 200km bike course passes Rapunsel’s Tower and Sleeping Beauty / Briar Rose’s castle. With a 14% climb right out of T1, the bike has numerous relatively small climbs which all add up to well over 2000m of elevation gain. 

Grimm Xtreme Triathlon
Rapunsel’s Tower

Athletes who wish to live happily ever after must cross what used to be the iron curtain that separated East and West Germany, completing just over a marathon, the vast majority of which is off-road.

Unlike the bike, the run starts with a flat section across Sösetalsperre dam. The early km’s belie the rest of the course, it isn’t long before some double figure inclines will test your legs. The route brings the total elevation gain to roughly 4000m, passing above the tree line of Brocken mountain where you might race a steam train to the top, huffing and puffing. If lucky, the views can stretch 200km. 

You will be following in the footsteps of poets Heinrich Heine and Johann Wolfgang Goethe who both visited the summit.

Grimm Xtreme Triathlon

Brocken is the setting for Goethe’s Faust 1 and a large granite memorial to Heine can be found at the top. The Soviet military had an outpost atop the the mountain until 1994, two “golf ball” listening stations remain there to this day. 

As with Norseman and Celtman, a lower level will be available for any runners who miss the mountain cutoff. Both run courses share the final couple of km and finish at the standing stones of the Torfhaus Monument.

Grimm Xtreme Triathlon
Torfhous Monument
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
IRONMAN’s new age-group system for Kona – all the big questions answered
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
‘It’s going to be an absolute firecracker’ says Cam Wurf after booking IRONMAN World Champs spot
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...