Plymouth Triathlon Middle Distance (Mount Edgcumbe)
Cremyll (Plymouth), United Kingdom · June · Sportiva Events (Independent)
Not a standard 70.3. This course is 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 20 km (12.4 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) / 90 km (56 mi) with about 1,385 m (4,545 ft) of ascent / about 20 km (12.4 mi) of trail laps.
Why people love it
- Sheltered Plymouth Sound swim with Mount Edgcumbe estate as base
- Four-lap traffic-free trail run through the Edgcumbe grounds
- Helpful marshals and a friendly Sportiva crew
- Short ferry from Plymouth to the venue
Watch out for
- Hilly bike: about 1,385 m (4,545 ft) of ascent over 90 km (56 mi)
- Tidal currents and a crowded first buoy at the swim; some entrants dropped out in 2026
- Busy road section on the bike with poor tarmac in places
- Cut-off times were not published in advance in 2026
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 satisfactionLoved3.8
Most reviewers love the setting and marshals, but a tough, current-affected swim and a busy road split opinions. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.5
Staff and signage praised; unpublished cut-offs and a crowded first buoy drew complaints. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding2.3
Hilly 90 km (56 mi) bike, tidal swim and cut-offs make this hard for first halves, though one first-timer finished happily. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow2.0
About 1,385 m (4,545 ft) of ascent on the bike plus a hilly trail run means slow times. · Medium confidence
- Course easeVery tough1.7
Strong currents, mountainous bike and trail run make this a hard half. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.5
June sea water in Plymouth Sound is cool; no temperatures or wetsuit policy were published. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.4
Cool June sea water likely 14-17 °C (57-63 °F); no measured temperature was published. · Low confidence
- Calm waterSome chop2.8
Sheltered sound but reviewers report strong currents around the turn buoys and many dropouts in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeHard2.4
Currents, a crowded first buoy and a shared start with another distance made the swim difficult. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.2
Sheltered setting is pleasant but several swimmers called it brutal or unsafe for weaker swimmers. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed2.7
Reviewers mention shoddy tarmac on a busy repeated road section. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresMostly open2.0
Open roads with heavy traffic on a repeated section; entrants felt unsafe in 2025 and 2026. · Medium confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.4
Sea views and Cornish countryside called stunning. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.0
No wind complaints in the reviews, though the coast is exposed in places. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow2.2
Hilly route, repeated busy section and narrow lanes at the end slow riders. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly1.6
About 1,385 m (4,545 ft) of climbing over 90 km (56 mi) is mountainous for a half. · High confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts2.6
Narrow lanes at the end where passing a car is hard, plus steep descents. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.5
Marshals add banter on the run; small field and a lap course. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.3
Marshals praised, but a single bike feed station was hard to spot and not well signed. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.2
Mount Edgcumbe grounds and estate trails are scenic. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate2.6
Hilly trail laps after a hard bike on a hot day. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessHilly2.3
About 494 m (1,620 ft) of climbing on trail laps; reviewers call the run hard. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.8
Mid-June south coast; one reviewer mentions a hot day. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
No cancellations noted; June weather on the coast can vary. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.5
Mount Edgcumbe estate beside Plymouth Sound. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.6
Lap run in the estate offers repeated viewing; bike course is remote. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.8
Plymouth Sound 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 availabilityGood3.8
Plymouth city has a wide choice of lodging. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.5
City hotels; no athletes discussed lodging costs. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.2
HQ at Cremyll is reached by a short ferry from Plymouth city. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.4
About 75 km (47 mi) from Exeter and a main rail line to Plymouth. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.3
Single venue but a ferry crossing in the morning. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Plymouth Barbican and city centre are a short ferry ride away. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Cremyll (Plymouth), Cornwall, England, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 13 June 2027
- Organiser
- Sportiva Events (Independent)
- Entry fee
- About $175
- First held
- 2025
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 20 km (12.4 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Swim undisclosed cut-offs enforced in 2026
- Swim venue
- Plymouth Sound off Cremyll (ocean)
- Swim start
- wave
- Bike climbing
- 1,385 m (4,540 ft)
- Key climbs
- Downderry hill (referenced in a 2025 review)
- Run climbing
- 494 m (1,620 ft)
- Run laps
- 4
- Run shade
- some woodland
- Nearest airport
- Exeter (EXT), 75 km (47 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Plymouth Barbican, Stonehouse
- Booking
- Event HQ is across the water from Plymouth; an early Cremyll ferry (about 8 minutes) takes competitors to the venue.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceCheck: Helen W.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Calls it a fantastic event in a beautiful location and a good test in all three disciplines. Marshals were amazing and made a real difference to the atmosphere.
- RaceCheck: Marc R.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Friendly staff and good organisation, but says the swim was not safe unless you are a very strong swimmer, with strong currents and many dropouts. Bike narrow lanes at the end were awkward. The run was hard but well supported.
- RaceCheck: Ernie M.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
First triathlon, found the swim brutal and the hills tough but loved it. Marshals were amazing and entertaining on the run; he did not spot the bike aid station.
- RaceCheck: Jonathan H.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Pretty well run, but felt it was harsh to cut people off after a tough swim on a hot day without publishing cut-off times on the website.
- RaceCheck: Suzy C.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Great atmosphere and lovely marshals, but the main road on the bike was far too busy with shoddy tarmac, and there is no toilet on a 4-5 hour ride. The organiser promised a portaloo next year.
Show 4 more
- RaceCheck: Sebastien F.Raced 2025 · aggregator · Positive
Great organisation and atmosphere. Main downside is traffic on the repeated bike section, where some drivers overtake without a safe gap in the second half.
- RaceCheck: Fiona B.Raced 2025 · aggregator · Positive
Loved the friendly staff and stunning scenery with a well signposted course. Disliked sharing the first buoy with another race wave and suggests moving the bike feed station to Antony before the Downderry hill.
- RaceCheck: anonymous reviewerRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Calls it a great event in the most beautiful location and a challenging 70.3 that rewards hard work with a real sense of achievement.
- Time Outdoors: Plymouth Triathlon Middle DistanceRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Organiser listing: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) sheltered sea swim, 90 km (56 mi) with 1,385 m (4,545 ft) of ascent, and a 20 km (12.4 mi) traffic-free trail run with 494 m (1,620 ft) of climbing; HQ reached by a short Cremyll ferry.
Sources
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