It is both a celebratory and a sad time in our sport when one of the greatest athletes we’ve ever seen, who’s undeniably made our sport better, calls time on an incredible career. And while German legend and three-time Ironman World Champion Patrick Lange isn’t done yet, he will be in 2027.

His farewell tour will consist of two of the sport’s most iconic races, both with unique significance for him. The first will be Kona, where he’s claimed the world title three times (in 2017, 2018, and again in 2024 at the impressive age of 38, running his way to victory with the effortless-looking stride that is classic Lange at his best.) And the second and final will be Roth, racing in his home country in the event widely regarded as the biggest triathlon celebration on the planet.

It was just days ago that Lange took to social media to make the announcement:“One more season to give everything I have. One more Kona. One more Roth.”

“In 1999 I was standing right here at Lake Edersee at the start of my very first triathlon,” he continued. “And back then I really had no idea where this path would still take me. The dream became reality, and along the way I got to experience a time full of highs, lows, but also of celebrating tremendous successes, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. The biggest highlights were of course the three wins at Ironman Hawaii. The biggest setback for me was the year 2020, in which my mother died and I actually questioned the meaningfulness of the sport. In the end, though, it was exactly this setback that gave me the drive to then even win a third time in Hawaii. Mostly though, it wasn’t the wins that shaped me, but the people who accompanied me along the way. Julia, do you want to marry me? Above all, I want to thank the people who accompanied me on this journey. My family, who always believed in me, the coaches, the sponsors and, last but not least, of course, the fans, who supported me over all these years, accompanied me and always supported me positively…

“It all began here at Lake Edersee, and that’s why, in my opinion, it’s the best place to share this news with you. The circle is closing, but just not quite yet. I look forward to this final year and will properly enjoy it.”

 

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Lange, who turns 40 next month, has given us a countdown before the three-time world champion heads off into the sunset. And you know you’ve made a mark on the sport when nearly 6,000 fans respond.

The first post following his video came from Felix Walchshöfer, who promised “one hell of a party!” for the 2027 edition of Roth, bidding farewell to Lange (who won Roth in 2021 and finished runner-up to Magnus Ditlev in 2022 and 2023).

With the coming 12 months marking the last we’ll see of Patrick Lange in professional triathlon, it will undoubtedly be a memorable and emotional swan song for one of the defining athletes of the past decade.

As Lange put it, “Let’s enjoy this last lap together.”