Roadford Lake Triathlon (Half Ironman)
Broadwoodwidger, United Kingdom · May · Sportiva Events (Independent)
Not a standard 70.3. This course is 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 92 km (57 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) / about 92 km (57 mi) / about 20 km (12.4 mi); a 2024 autumn listing quoted 93 km (58 mi) for the bike.
Why people love it
- Lakeside base with Dartmoor views, easy parking and a friendly low-key atmosphere
- Trail-style run with forest detours that reviewers call unusual and fun
- Bottle hand-ups from volunteers on the bike and plenty of run aid stations
- Strong reputation for organisation across the 160-plus RaceCheck ratings
Watch out for
- Hilly bike of about 92 km (57 mi) and a hard-to-judge run
- Cold May water; a 2026 finisher found the swim chilly
- Some poor road surfaces on the lanes
- Parking is charged; bike feed stations drew a request for more food
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 satisfactionLoved4.2
Half Ironman entrants in 2026 are almost all enthusiastic, calling it flawless, friendly and tough but fair. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.3
Staff, parking, hand-ups and course marking praised; a single missed run turn and a request for more feed stops. · High confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.6
A first-time half entrant felt safe and well informed, but the hilly 92 km (57 mi) bike is demanding. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow2.3
Hilly bike and run on lanes with poor sections suggest slower than a flat half. · Low confidence
- Course easeVery tough2.2
Reviewers repeatedly call it a tough, hilly 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
May water on Dartmoor is cool; no temperatures or wetsuit rules were published. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable2.9
A 2026 finisher described the May swim as chilly because of the colder weather. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.4
Sheltered reservoir; no reviewer reports chop. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.4
Reviewers describe the swim as spot on and easy to sight. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.9
Pleasant lake swim with good safety; little detail on clarity. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed2.8
Roads in places are poor; a 2026 reviewer complained about the state of some surfaces. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresMostly open2.4
Quiet lanes opened to traffic with marshals; a sprint rider noted pothole warnings. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.3
Dartmoor views noted by half and Olympic entrants. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.0
No wind complaints were recorded, though Dartmoor edges are exposed. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow2.2
Reviewers describe a hilly, demanding bike with scenic views and little flat road. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly2.1
Hilly bike called demanding by several entrants; the elevation gain is not published. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple3.5
No technical warnings; lane riding with a few junctions. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.3
Reviewers highlight fellow athletes' encouragement; spectators are limited in a rural venue. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.9
Hand-ups from volunteers on the bike and plenty of run aid stations, though one rider wanted more bike food. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.2
Lakeside and forest run called beautiful and fun by several reviewers. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.5
Trail running with some forest shade and plenty of aid, after a hard bike. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.3
A half entrant calls the run fairly flat; an Olympic entrant found hills on the combined course. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.4
Spring Devon temperatures can be cool; a 2026 entrant reported colder weather. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Cold May weather in 2026; no cancellations reported in the reviews. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.2
Lakeside setting with Dartmoor backdrop. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.2
Rural venue with run laps by the lake cafe, but limited viewing on the bike. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow4.2
Roadford Lake sits around 190 m (620 ft) above sea level. · Low confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.3
Rural area; lodging in Okehampton, Launceston or Tavistock. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.6
Devon market towns, though no athlete discussed lodging cost. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityMostly driving2.2
Lake venue is rural; most athletes drive or camp. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.7
About 55 km (34 mi) from Exeter airport, with limited public transport. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.2
Single venue with parking on site, though parking is charged. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine2.9
Rural lakeside; cafe on site. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Broadwoodwidger, Devon, England, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- May
- Latest or next date
- 16 May 2027
- Organiser
- Sportiva Events (Independent)
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 92 km (57 mi) bike, 20 km (12.4 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Roadford Lake (reservoir)
- Swim start
- wave
- Run shade
- some forest sections
- Nearest airport
- Exeter (EXT), 55 km (34 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Okehampton, Launceston
- Booking
- Rural lakeside venue about five minutes off the A30; stay in Okehampton, Launceston or Tavistock.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceCheck: Chris M.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Half Ironman entrant calls it a thoroughly fantastic event, flawlessly organised. The swim was spot on and easy to sight, the bike a challenging route, and the run a fairly flat trail course with enjoyable forest detours.
- RaceCheck: Rachel B.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Calls it a lovely low-key event with friendly organisers, good support and challenging hills, and good preparation for IRONMAN Wales.
- RaceCheck: Candice B.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Tough course: the colder weather made the swim chilly, and the bike was hilly. Did not comment on the run.
- RaceCheck: Tracy A.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Calls it a tough race and wants better-stocked feed stations on the bike route.
- RaceCheck: Andy M.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Really good event, well organised, with an atmosphere where all the athletes supported and encouraged each other.
Show 5 more
- RaceCheck: Jessica H.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Well run, friendly event with a great course. Easy to pick up bottles from volunteers on the bike and plenty of aid stations on the run. Plenty of parking but it is charged.
- RaceCheck: Sean D.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
First event at this distance. Helpful staff and a safe, well-informed day, a scenic but fairly demanding hilly course, and one missed turn on the first run lap that a marshal would have fixed.
- RaceCheck: Lucy W.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Olympic-distance entrant describing the same roads: great atmosphere and Dartmoor views on the ride, but very hilly for both bike and run.
- RaceCheck: Ben J.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Sprint entrant who found the run route beautiful and well marked, wanted a few more marshals, and warned that some road surfaces on the bike are bad; the organiser had flagged the worst sections.
- The Post: Roadford triathlon eventsarticle · Positive
Local newspaper preview describing undulating roads with views of Dartmoor and the lake as the base for the events.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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