Cymru am byth!
Challenging courses, stunning landscapes, and a fantastic community vibe – Welcome to the realm of triathlons in Wales. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or it’s your first time dipping your toes into the world of triathlon, Wales has something for everyone. From the scenic Snowman triathlon to the iconic IRONMAN Wales held in Tenby, we’ve rounded up the coolest triathlons in Wales. *Disclaimer: Sunny weather is not guaranteed, sorry!
Distances explained
Before setting your heart on a triathlon, you’ll need to figure out what distance is going to best suit you.
If you’re new to the sport, consider starting with a Sprint Triathlon, which typically consists of a 750-meter swim, a 20 km bike, and a 5km run. This distance will allow you to challenge yourself without overwhelming the body or getting injured (we hope!) As you gain more experience and fitness, The longer events will be more appealing!
Super Sprint distance: 400m Swim, 9.3km ride, 2.5km run
Sprint distance: 750m Swim, 20km ride, 5km run
Olympic or classic distance: 1,500m swim, 40km ride, 10km run
Middle (Half Iron) distance: between 2,500m-3,800m swim, 80km-120k ride , 20km -30km run
Long (Iron) distance: 3,800m swim, 180km ride, 42km run
Mumbles Triathlon 11th May 2024
Sprint & Middle Distance
Experience an incredible start for both the sprint and middle-distance events as they commence in the sheltered Mumbles Bay. The rewarding bike route then takes you out into the scenic Gower Peninsula, wrapping up with a flat and picturesque run course. Whichever distance you go for, you’ll enjoy a red carpet finish line. Better yet, why not cap off your achievement by running down the finish line with your little ones, creating a shared experience with the athletes of the future?
Slateman Triathlon 9th June 2024
Sprint, Standard & Middle
North wales-one word-Stunning.
Glide through the waters beneath the majestic Mount Snowdon, pedal along the renowned Llanberis pass, and traverse some of the most picturesque trails with Snowdon as your backdrop. The Slateman triathlon is one of the more challenging events on our list , but rest assured, it’s entirely attainable for many!
Cardiff Triathlon 30th June 2024
Super sprint, Sprint, Standard, Middle
This triathlon is perfect for beginners as it has a flat course on closed roads with a fantastic view of Cardiff Bay. There’s a great spirit in the city over the weekend and you’ll find lots of people out on the course to cheer you on in true Welsh spirit! The closed road, scenery and atmosphere all make this a great first triathlon. Plus there are plenty of places in the city to go out and celebrate after. Plus, if you’ve got friends who like to take it seriously, then there are lots of waves to cater for different ambitions, from beginners to age group qualifiers.
Snowman Triathlon 4th August 2024
Sprint, Standard, Middle
The Snowman Triathlon is set against the stunning backdrop of Snowdonia National Park, where participants are treated to unparalleled views of Snowdon, Wales’ highest peak. Renowned for its challenging course, the triathlon incorporates the famous Llanberis Pass, offering a demanding cycling route that truly tests athletes’ capabilities. What sets the Snowman Triathlon apart is its inclusivity, providing a variety of race distances suitable for both seasoned triathletes and beginners alike..
Llandudno triathlon 29th September 2024
Sprint, Standard
The course sees athletes swimming under the watchful eye of the iconic Victorian pier (perfect for spectators), before taking to your bike along our closed-road route around Marine Drive, the scenic road leading you around Llandudno’s Great Orme.
Running along the promenade provides a great atmosphere, with spectators lining the route, providing the same warm Welsh welcome you can expect at all Always Aim High Events, right through to the finish line.
Long course weekend 21st-23rd June 2024
Standard-Long. Mix and match available
Returning for its third year in 2024, Explore the popular holiday town of Llandudno. Taking place at the end of September 2024, with the Irish Sea retaining its summer warmth, it’s a great time to challenge yourself in this beautiful part of the Welsh coastline!
Thinking about tackling an Ironman distance triathlon but not sure you’re quite ready for it? Enter the Long Course Weekend, where you can conquer the ‘full distance’ spread across three days. With stunning landscapes, enthusiastic crowds, and an expo featuring over 50 stands, this event is not your typical triathlon. What sets it apart is the flexibility to choose the distance for each discipline based on your strengths and weaknesses. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an everyday athlete aiming for something extraordinary, this event caters to all abilities. The power is in your hands – pick your challenge and make it your own! And if that wasn’t good enough, Pedal Cover will be offering free secure bike parking over the whole weekend so you can make the most of the post race atmosphere!
Ironman Wales 22nd September 2024
Long distance
The biggest triathlon of the year in Wales is undoubtedly IM Wales. A challenging yet breath taking course set against the stunning backdrop of Pembrokeshire.
No Ironman event could be defined as easy, however Ironman Wales certainly falls towards harder end of the spectrum, both physically and mentally. Athletes have to navigate a demanding course that includes a challenging swim in the pristine waters of Tenby’s North Beach, a scenic but punishing bike ride through the picturesque Pembrokeshire countryside, and a challenging run that takes participants through the historic town and along the spectacular coastline. What makes the event so special, is the electric atmosphere and the amount of support the athletes get along the way.
Do you have the correct insurance?
Competing in Triathlon is great fun but it doesn’t come without its risks and that’s where we come in! Pedal Cover offer Triathlon bike insurance which is designed to cover your bike, kit and accessories for crash damage and theft when competing in triathlon. Thankfully, Theft is very rare but it can happen. Crashing, on the other hand is a far more common occurrence. Pedal Cover Insurance can be bought as a combined home and bike policy or a standalone bike policy with a rolling monthly payment option available at no extra cost. Getting a quote takes about 2 minutes so what are you waiting for?! If you need some help, just give our friendly support team a call on 0800 121 4424