Cotswold Classic Middle Distance
Cirencester (Cotswold Water Park, Ashton Keynes), United Kingdom · July · Independent (Cotswold Classic; also marketed as Cotswold 113)
Why people love it
- RaceCheck average of 4.81 from 159 reviews, with top marks for water quality and marshals
- Clear, shallow lake swim with an orderly start
- Fast, flat bike and a three-lap run that is easy to spectate
- Friendly, family-run atmosphere
Watch out for
- Bike surface was poor in places, with unmarked hazards, in 2020
- Police-controlled junction crossings can stop riders
- Two short climbs at each turnaround break up an otherwise flat 90 km (56 mi)
- Cold, wet conditions in some years on exposed roads
- Early starts around 06:00 to 07:10; RaceCheck reviewers are self-selected
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.4
RaceCheck shows 4.81 from 159 reviews with praise for marshals and organisation; self-selected reviewers, so rated a little lower. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationFlawless4.5
Several reviewers call it extremely well organised with clear signage and quick results; small gripes about a briefing gap and unmarked hazards in 2020. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.3
Several reviewers chose it for a first middle distance: clear shallow lake, flat bike, friendly organisers and only short hills. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.8
Flat bike and calm lake, but a mixed-terrain run and exposed roads; club finishes range from 4:54 to 6:58. · Low confidence
- Course easeModerate3.7
Flat bike with two short hills per lap and a flat three-lap run; elevation is not published. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.2
One year was about 22 °C (72 °F) and others were cold; the legality rule was not found. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.8
Reports range from a cold sunrise start to about 22 °C (72 °F). · Low confidence
- Calm waterGlassy4.8
Very still lake with no current in reports. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeVery easy4.6
A clear, shallow 1.9 km (1.2 mi) lake swim, with 15-second starts in 2020 and volunteers helping swimmers out. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceSuperb4.5
Water quality scores 4.95 to 5.00 on RaceCheck, with a sunrise over the lake. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed2.9
One 2020 reviewer reported poor surface and unmarked hazards; no other surface reports. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.3
Police and marshals on junctions, but one reviewer was stopped at a crossing; roads are not fully closed. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant3.0
Countryside loop; scenery is not highlighted in reports. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind3.0
Flat, exposed roads need constant effort, and some years were wet and windy. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast4.0
Described as fast and flat over 90 km (56 mi), tempered by two short hills at each turnaround. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat4.2
Flat per several reviewers; gain is unpublished but likely under 400 m (1,300 ft). · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple4.0
A flat two-lap loop with few technical sections reported. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.5
Crowd support is mentioned on the three-lap run and the red-carpet finish. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.4
Several reviewers describe well-placed feed stations and cheerful marshals. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.3
Lakes and the village of Somerford Keynes, per a 2011 preview. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.7
Flat, but on mixed paths and tracks rather than pure road. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat4.2
Three flat laps around the lakes, according to 2020 reviewers. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.9
English July: chilly mornings and the odd wet day, with sun by the run in some years. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Still and warm in some years, cold and wet in others. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyPleasant3.3
Pleasant flooded gravel pit lake country, not dramatic. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.2
The three-lap run and lakeside venue make it easy to watch, in a family-friendly atmosphere. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.8
Lowland Thames valley, about 80 m (260 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.6
Cirencester and nearby hotels; no race-week data found. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
No price data found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving2.8
The venue is in the water park; most lodging in Cirencester needs a short drive. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.3
No close airport: Bristol, Birmingham or Heathrow, then a road transfer with easy motorway access. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.0
One venue, and reviewers praise the clear communication. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.5
Cirencester is a market town with good amenities, but reports do not cover it. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Cirencester (Cotswold Water Park, Ashton Keynes), Wiltshire / Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- July
- Latest or next date
- 12 July 2026
- Organiser
- Independent (Cotswold Classic; also marketed as Cotswold 113)
- Distances
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lake 32, Cotswold Water Park (lake (flooded gravel pit))
- Swim start
- time-trial style 15-second starts reported by one 2020 reviewer; early start 06:00-07:10 in other years
- Bike laps
- 2
- Key climbs
- Couple of short testing hills at the turnaround, each lap
- Run laps
- 3
- Altitude
- 80 m (260 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Bristol (BRS), Birmingham (BHX) or London Heathrow (LHR)
- Where to stay
- Cirencester
- Booking
- Cirencester is the nearest large town; no race-specific advice found.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceCheck - Paul B.Raced 2017 · aggregator · Positive
Beautiful, well-marked lake swim with volunteers helping swimmers out; fast and flat two-lap bike apart from a couple of testing hills at each turnaround, with marshals and police on junctions; mixed-terrain three-lap run with good feed stations and crowd support. Praised organisation, signage and a quick results service.
“extremely well organised, brilliantly marshalled”
- RaceCheck event page (159 reviews)Raced 2025 · aggregator · Positive
Average of 4.81 from 159 reviews (4.91 for 2025). Water quality, course congestion and supporting staff score highest at 4.95-5.00. Self-selected reviewers so likely biased upward.
- RaceCheck - Tom R. (2022)Raced 2022 · aggregator · Positive
Chose it as a first half-distance and found it well run with good pre-race information and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Cheerful aid stations and marshals; children ran the finish and received medals.
- RaceCheck - Colm M. (2020)Raced 2020 · aggregator · Positive
First middle-distance: clear communication, strong COVID measures, excellent lake swim with 15-second starts, flat well-marshalled bike and supportive run marshals.
- RaceCheck - Phil H. (2020)Raced 2020 · aggregator · Mixed
The more critical voice: briefing missed some details, bike surface was poor in places with unmarked hazards, and a police-controlled crossing stopped riders. Still praised marshals, COVID handling and the clear, warm swim.
Show 3 more
- Teignbridge Trotters - six club members (2014)Raced 2014 · blog · Positive
Six club members raced on 31 August with a 06:30 swim start, chilly morning and sun by the run. Finish times ranged from 4:54:03 to 6:58:12 with one DNF from a calf injury, giving a sense of the field's pace.
- Torbay Weekly - Torbay Tri Club (via search summary)article · Mixed
Club report (page blocked; read via search summary) of a 06:00 swim start for 1,000+ participants across distances and a cold, somewhat wet bike on a flat course that demands constant pedalling.
A relay team describes a cold swim start with a beautiful sunrise over the lake and a 40:04 swim leg. Page blocked; summary only.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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