Olympic triathlon race ratings

1. Hamburg Open Races (World Triathlon Hamburg)

Hamburg, Germany · Next race 8 Sep 2027

Racers loveHuge city-centre event with grandstands at the Rathausmarkt finish and crowds of well over 100,000 in 2018

Watch outSwim goes through a poorly lit tunnel of about 40 m (131 ft); exit steps can be slippery

“a really tough race” DLF Trifolium (Miranda Harris, 2007 age-group…

2. Eastbourne Triathlon and Multisport Festival

Eastbourne, United Kingdom · Last race 12 Jul 2026

Racers loveSea swim from the beach with Eastbourne pier behind

Watch outSea swim can be cancelled for wind and chop, as in 2024

“Really well organised, with a great vibe” Racecheck reviewers, Racecheck: Eastbourne Triathlon and Multisport…

3. Cotswolds Lake 62 Triathlons (Sprint, Standard and Super Sprint)

Ashton Keynes (Cotswold Water Park), United Kingdom · Usually May

Racers loveCalm private lake with free parking about a 5 minute walk from transition.

Watch outThe lake is weedy in summer; reviewers mention it on all three pages.

“Really friendly enjoyable for a tri virgin” Racecheck verified participants (130 reviews), Racecheck (Cotswolds Lake 62 Individual Team…

4. Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon (Castle Series)

Malpas, United Kingdom · Next race 26 Jun 2027

Racers loveFinish across the main lawn at Cholmondeley Castle.

Watch outSwim water is dark and weedy with poor visibility.

“Great event in a beautiful location” Racecheck reviewers, Racecheck: Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon Series

5. English Riviera Triathlon

Torquay, United Kingdom · Next race 4 Jul 2027

Racers loveFully closed-road bike on 5 km (3.1 mi) laps; the organiser says it is the only closed-road triathlon in…

Watch outThe sprint is drafting-legal from 2026; the standard is non-drafting.

6. Garmin Noosa Triathlon & Multisport Festival

Noosa Heads, Australia · Next race 1 Nov 2026

Racers loveBeach swim in Laguna Bay with lifesavers and pontoons, water around 22 to 25 °C (72 to 77 °F).

Watch outWaves run from about 6:30 am to after 9 am, so late waves face 30 °C (86 °F) heat.

“TA support TA whether you're an advanced athlete or a beginner” Caleche Watson, Tri-Alliance VIC beginner report

7. Alpe d'Huez Triathlon

Bourg-d'Oisans (swim) to Alpe d'Huez (finish), France · Next race 29 Jul 2027

Racers loveBike climbs the 21 Tour de France hairpins, about 14 km (8.7 mi), then the run finishes in the resort.

Watch outBike gains about 1,100 m (3,600 ft) in 14 km (8.7 mi); bring easy gears.

“definitely a bucket-list triathlon” Ray Maker, DC Rainmaker

8. The Original Swanage Triathlon Festival

Swanage, United Kingdom · Next race 27 Jun 2027

Racers loveSea swim in Swanage Bay, kayak-guided, with beach views and reported clear water

Watch outBoth bike and run are hilly; the run includes a steep climb most walk

“Some of the best marshals I've ever experienced.” Racecheck participants, Racecheck (28 verified reviews)

9. Challenge Canberra

Canberra, Australia · Challenge Family · Next race 22 Nov 2026

Racers loveLake Burley Griffin swim in protected water with spectator viewing spots

Watch outBike is rolling with some tricky sections around the Arboretum

“Great first-time triathlon!” Racecheck participants, Racecheck (10 written reviews of 57 ratings)

10. Steelman Racing Triathlon

Quakertown, PA · Last race 2 Aug 2026

Racers loveBike is on a fully closed, repaved road: Route 563

Watch outRolling Route 563 starts with a 1.2 mi (1.9 km) climb

“the lake is beautiful – mostly clean and clear” Bucks County Herald (Wayne Fish, 'On the Run')

11. Bournemouth International Triathlon

Bournemouth, United Kingdom · Next race 12 Sep 2027

Racers loveSea swim from a Blue Flag beach beside the pier, with many marshals on the water

Watch outBike is mostly dual carriageway; one 2025 reviewer reported 70 mph (113 km/h) traffic and thin signage

12. The Weymouth Classic & Sprint Triathlon (WMD Triathlon)

Weymouth, United Kingdom · Next race 6 Jun 2027

Racers loveSheltered bay swim with kayaks and rescue boats on every course

Watch outSwim exit is about 450 m (490 yd) from transition: bring old shoes for the run

“Hard to fault the event.” Eventrac participants, Eventrac reviews, WMD Triathlon (139 written…

13. Trinona Triathlon

Winona, MN · Last race 14 Jun 2026

Racers loveCalm Lake Winona swim, glassy in some years, with a quarter-mile 0.4 km (0.25 mi) sprint swim.

Watch outStorms cancelled or shortened the Olympic bike in 2016 and 2025; everyone rode the sprint loop.

“The water was glassy smooth and not nearly as weedy as I anticipated.” Minnesota TRI News (Alex Hooke)

14. #51fiver Cotswold Standard Distance Triathlon (I-Compete)

Ashton Keynes (Cotswold Water Park, Lake 32), United Kingdom · Next race 16 May 2027

Racers loveClear lake water and an individual-start option helped a nervous swimmer.

Watch outBike roads are open to traffic and have had pothole complaints.

“A great race for first timer at this distance.” Racecheck #51fiver Cotswold Tri

15. Bedford Triathlon

Bedford, United Kingdom · Next race 15 Aug 2027

Racers loveTown-centre river swim at The Embankment with an exit ladder.

Watch outPondweed and duckweed in the river forced a moved start in 2026.

“Marshals, support and encouragement around the course were all excellent” 53 Racecheck reviewers, Racecheck (Bedford Triathlon)

16. Chicago Triathlon (Supertri)

Chicago, IL · Last race 23 Aug 2026

Racers loveRolling swim start in sheltered Monroe Harbor, 1.5 km (0.93 mi), with the skyline beside the seawall.

Watch outThe swim was cancelled for waves up to 1.8 m (6 ft) in 2019 and 2023, replaced by a run.

“the water was really cold” CBS Chicago (Eliza), CBS Chicago: Thousands run, bike and swim…

17. Toronto Triathlon Festival (Supertri Toronto)

Toronto, Canada · Next race 25 Jul 2027

Racers loveBike on fully closed Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, 2 a.m. to noon.

Watch outLake Ontario was about 16 °C (61 °F) in 2015 and felt cold to 2018 and 2019 racers.

“epic race in the heart of downtown” Sean Chin blog

18. Sandman Triathlon (Superfeet Sandman, Always Aim High)

Newborough, United Kingdom · Last race 27 Sep 2026

Racers loveBeach start and swim facing Snowdonia, then up through the dunes to the event village.

Watch outDistances are non-standard: the sprint bike is about 22.9 km (14.2 mi), the Standard bike 42.3 km (26.3 mi).

“Everything was so well set up and well organised.” Racecheck participants, Racecheck (21 verified reviews)

19. Zurich City Triathlon (ZC3)

Zürich (Wollishofen, Landiwiese), Switzerland · Next race 27 Jun 2027

Racers loveTransition, finish and village sit together on Landiwiese beside Wollishofen station.

Watch outBoth distances sold out for 2027, so register early.

20. Bishopton Triathlon

Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom · Next race 22 Aug 2027

Racers loveLake no deeper than 1.5 m (5 ft), so most of the swim is standable.

Watch outRun is gravel and uneven grass, not ideal for a personal best.

“super beginner friendly” 54 Racecheck reviewers, Racecheck (Bishopton Triathlon)

21. Reading Triathlon

Pingewood, Reading, United Kingdom · Next race 12 Sep 2027

Racers loveMarshals and staff are praised by most reviewers.

Watch outWeed in the lake slowed some swimmers in 2025 and 2026.

“Really friendly and supportive marshals” 90 Racecheck reviewers, Racecheck (Reading Triathlon)

22. ATW Stewartby Lake Triathlon

Stewartby, Bedford, United Kingdom · Next race 20 Jun 2027

Racers loveLake safety team praised by a nervous first-timer; sprint swim is 750 m (0.47 mi)

Watch outTwo reviewers reported cars on the bike route; one called overtaking dangerous

“Very beginner friendly event” Racecheck reviewers (31), Racecheck Stewartby Lake Triathlon

23. Windermere Triathlons and Multisport Weekend

Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom · Next race 10 Jul 2027

Racers loveClear-water swim in Lake Windermere from Cockshott Point; wetsuit optional but recommended.

Watch outDark red swim buoys are hard to sight; reviewers want more and brighter ones.

“Suits novices and pros.” 36 written reviews, July 2026, Eventrac / Wild Deer Events reviews

24. Huntington Bank Grand Rapids Triathlon

Ada, MI · Next race 13 Jun 2027

Racers loveCalm river swim, 20 to 21 °C (68 to 70 °F), almost no current

Watch outBike roads are open to traffic with marshals; no aid stations on sprint or Olympic bike

“especially to newer racers and people with families” dmagic17, Slowtwitch forum