Hardman Waterville Half
Waterville, Ireland · July · Hardman Events (Independent)
Not a standard 70.3. This course is 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 94 km (58 mi) bike, 21 km (13.0 mi) run, not the usual 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run. 1.9 km (1.2 mi) / about 94 km (58 mi) with about 1,400 m (4,600 ft) of climbing / 21 km (13.1 mi).
Why people love it
- Atlantic-coast swim in Waterville Bay and a flat four-lap promenade run lined with spectators
- One-loop bike over three Kerry passes with fast descents and ocean views
- National Series race with a small friendly field
- Village-scale event where finish, transition and swim sit within a few hundred metres
Watch out for
- Brutal bike: roughly 1,300-1,500 m (4,300-4,900 ft) of climbing with steep descents
- Atlantic weather: scorching in 2022, wet and windy in 2020
- Remote southwest Kerry; limited lodging and a long drive from the airport
- A Triathlon Ireland licence or one-day licence is required
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 satisfactionLoved4.0
Triathlon Ireland coverage is warm about scenery, spectators and racing, but there are few first-person athlete reviews. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.8
Smooth Covid-era run in 2020 and a large well-ordered event in 2022; no athlete complaints found. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding1.9
About 1,400 m (4,600 ft) of climbing over three passes makes this a serious half for experienced riders. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow1.8
Epic bike with no free kilometres; winning times near 4:55 men and 6:04 women in 2022. · Medium confidence
- Course easeExtreme1.4
Epic bike over mountain passes in Atlantic weather. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.4
Atlantic water in July is cool and wetsuits are standard; no temperature published. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.0
Cool Atlantic bay; temperature unreported. · Low confidence
- Calm waterSome chop3.2
Flat calm in 2022 but tough, windy conditions in 2020. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.7
A one-lap triangular course from the slipway. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.0
Scenic bay swim off the village beach. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.2
Remote Kerry roads; no surface comments. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.5
Remote roads that are lightly trafficked but not described as closed. · Low confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.9
Some of the most scenic views Kerry has to offer. · Medium confidence
- WindWindy2.4
Exposed Atlantic mountain roads. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow1.8
No free kilometres and three mountain passes. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessMountainous1.3
Triathlon Ireland cites circa 1,300 m (4,270 ft) to over 1,500 m (4,300-4,900 ft) of elevation on the loop. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical2.3
Very fast, steep descents after each pass. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong4.0
Promenade crowds cheer runners throughout the afternoon. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
No specific aid comments found. · Low confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.5
Coastal promenade with bay views. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.3
Flat lapped course but hot in 2022 and after a savage bike. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.7
Run described as very flat along the promenade. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.5
Scorching hot in 2022 and wet and windy in 2020. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.5
Atlantic weather swings between hot sun and wind and rain. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.9
Bay, mountains and village green finish. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySee them often4.6
Triathlon Ireland calls it incredibly spectator friendly with four run laps on the promenade. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
Waterville is at sea level. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early2.8
Small village; accommodation is limited on race weekend. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
No cost comments. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.3
Swim slipway, transition and finish are all within the village. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeAwkward2.0
About 80 km (50 mi) from Kerry airport by winding roads. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.0
Compact village layout with the finish on the green. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine3.4
Small coastal village with pubs and restaurants. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland, Ireland
- Typical month
- July
- Latest or next date
- 10 July 2027
- Organiser
- Hardman Events (Independent)
- Field size
- About 200 athletes
- Entry fee
- About $165
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 94 km (58 mi) bike, 21 km (13.0 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Waterville Bay (slipway in front of the village) (ocean)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- rolling
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- Coomaciste; Ballaghbeama; Ballaghisheen
- Run laps
- 4
- Run shade
- none
- Nearest airport
- Kerry (KIR), 80 km (50 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Waterville, Cahersiveen, Sneem
- Booking
- Small coastal village; book lodging early for race weekend or stay in Cahersiveen or Sneem.
What racers and reviewers say
- Triathlon Ireland: Sun Shines for Hardman Waterville Half (2022)Raced 2022 · article · Positive
Race report: 200 athletes in scorching heat, flat calm water, a bike with no free kilometres, over 1,500 m (4,900 ft) of climbing and two mountain passes, and a four-lap flat promenade run with crowds. A repeat finisher was racing it for the sixth time. Calls it incredibly scenic and spectator friendly.
- Triathlon Ireland: First Triathlon of 2020 at the Hardman Skellig HalfRaced 2020 · article · Positive
Report of the first triathlon after lockdown: windy, rainy conditions made the swim tough; the one-loop bike takes in circa 1,300 m (4,300 ft) of elevation with scenic Kerry views; a rolling run finishes by the bay with an electric atmosphere. Covid rules meant a rolling start and self-service aid.
- Triathlon Ireland: Weekend Wrap (Waterville Half)Raced 2022 · article · Positive
Summary of the 2022 race: scorching hot day, flat calm waters and blue skies for 200 athletes tackling the scenic swim, bike and run courses at the middle-distance Hardman Waterville Half.
- VisitWaterville: Hardman Half Waterville courseRaced 2022 · article · Positive
Tourism listing describing a triangular one-lap swim from the village slipway, a very challenging bike over Coomaciste, Ballaghbeama and Ballaghisheen with very fast descents, and a very flat four-lap promenade run finishing on the village green.
- RacePass: Waterville Half Triathlon (2024)Raced 2024 · aggregator · Positive
Listing for the 13 July 2024 edition: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim in Waterville Bay, 94 km (58.4 mi) ride over Coomakista, Ballaghbeama and Ballaghisheen, and a four-lap cliff-road run. Promotional text; around 1,000 participants listed across events and about 150 EUR entry.
Sources
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