As lives across the UK start to slowly reopen, we are also able to start planning some racing once more. With multi-sports events now able to take place, with social distancing measures in place, it’s a hugely exciting time for both athletes and event organisers. And with so many people taking up cycling again in 2020, we hope to see many more people give events like triathlon a go.
British Triathlon have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that events feel supported to re-open in a Covid-secure manner giving participants the confidence that they’ll be able to race safely, and have released guidance for participants which are super useful.
Following on from our sportives list last week, we thought we’d give you some inspiration by listing a few triathlons that are now confirmed for 2021 and still have places available.
A J Bell World Triathlon Championship Leeds
Taking place on 5-6 June 2021 at Round Hay park in central Leeds, this is the 5th year this event has taken place, offering age group athletes the opportunity to compete on a world class course that will double up as a World Triathlon Series event. This year, the world’s best para triathletes will also be competing in an Olympic qualifying event, meaning that you can watch the very best in the world compete.
There’s something for the whole family too, with a standard distance (also an Age Group qualifying event), sprint, Go Tri for newer triathletes, Tristar races for kids, as well as an aquathlon and relay option too.
Castle Triathlon Series
The Castle Triathlon Series offer truly iconic locations to race. I mean, why would you race along a road when you could race around a castle?! With spaces available at all of their 2021 events still, you can take your pick of a vast range of events, suitable for all ages and levels.
They also break down all the disciplines so that you can race a full triathlon, duathlon or aquathlon or pick your favourite and just swim, bike or run. If you’re looking for a great event for kids, they’ve also got award winning events for 8-14 year olds too.
Outlaw Series
The Outlaw series run, perhaps, the UK’s most loved long distance triathlon – The Outlaw Nottingham – each year. Unsurprisingly it’s sold out for 2021 apart from charity places, however, the event organiser also runs a series of other events which are still available.
Outlaw Half Bowood – a brand new half iron distance event for 2021, and the first Outlaw event in the South West of England (Wiltshire) taking place in the grounds of the home to the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne, Bowood House enjoys 100 acres of beautifully landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown parkland.
Outlaw X Thoresby Park – a half iron distance event taking place on 26 September 2021 in Nottinghamshire. Launched in 2019 to mark 10 years of the Outlaw series, this race allows all levels of triathlete to compete on a stunning course starting and finishing in the beautiful grounds of Thoresby House and Park.
Croyde Ocean Triathlon
Pinned as one of the toughest standard distance triathlons in the UK, but we reckon it could well be one of the prettiest too taking place on the breath-taking Putsborough Sands coastline on 4th July 2021.
What we particularly love about this event, is that it has the environment at its’ heart with the event’s carbon footprint at the centre of how it is run. Along with partners of the event, the Pickwell Foundation, the event has created a tool kit for other events to use to help reduce their plastic use during events.
The Snowman
The website says it’s the toughest triathlon in the UK, so if you’d like to fix your triathlon drought in an extreme manner then this is the race for you. Taking part 31 July – 1 August, you can race sprint, standard or half iron distance – or for those who just need that bit extra, the have their “savage” distance where you race the sprint distance on day 1 and standard distance on day 2.
The course is based in Snowdonia and so this is not for PB hunters as you’ll be running over the Welsh mountains. And in case you need evidence, here are the elevation profiles…
Standard bike course: 4396ft of climbing over 43 miles
Standard run course: 2214ft climbing over 5.2 miles
Yellow Jersey’s Ultimate Bicycle Insurance will cover you for racing triathlons anywhere in the world.