ATW Big East & Maldon Triathlon

Maldon, United Kingdom · July · Other (ATW Events)

Why people love it

4.2Very good

How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.

Toughness: Tough

Racer satisfactionLoved4.1
Racecheck shows 4.5 from 24 ratings and 8 written reviews. A modest sample, so scored in line with other well-liked UK races. · Medium confidence
OrganizationWell run4.0
Marshals and communication are praised, but a 2025 athlete found the swim turn chaotic and one rider missed a bike turn. · Medium confidence
First timer friendlyFriendly3.7
A 1.5 km (0.9 mi) tidal swim and 40 km (25 mi) open-road bike are a step up. One nervous first-timer loved it. · Low confidence

PR potentialFast3.6
Same flat roads over 40 km (25 mi). Wind exposure and a rough final run section cost time. · Low confidence

3.2Good

Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.

Wetsuit legalUsually4.0
July start under British Triathlon rules, which follow World Triathlon: no wetsuits above 24.6 °C (76.3 °F). Water temperature is not published. · Low confidence
Water temperatureComfortable3.5
No published water temperature. A July tidal river is likely 17 to 21 °C (63 to 70 °F). · Low confidence
Calm waterSome chop3.2
Tidal flow and some wind chop in the estuary. No swell. · Low confidence
Swim easeModerate2.9
A 2025 reviewer found the turn buoy instructions unclear and busy. · Low confidence
Swim experienceGreat3.8
Tidal river swim past Thames sailing barges. Racecheck reviewers score water quality 4.1 out of 5. · Medium confidence
Swim supportGood3.5
Wave starts timed to the tide. Few reviewers describe kayak or lifeguard cover. · Low confidence

2.4Below par

Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.

Road surfaceMixed3.3
No surface complaints in reviews. Rural peninsula lanes can be patchy. · Low confidence
Road closuresMostly open2.3
Roads stay open to traffic. Reviewers report vehicles in villages and on the sprint bike. · Medium confidence
Bike sceneryPleasant3.4
Quiet farmland and villages. Few reviewers comment on the views. · Low confidence
WindSome wind2.8
Exposed peninsula roads. A 2013 report also notes the open, windy bike course. · Medium confidence

Bike speedFast3.8
Flat and fast over 40 km (25 mi), but exposed to wind and village traffic. · Medium confidence
Bike flatnessMostly flat4.2
Described as flat. Gain is not published, so under 150 m (500 ft) over 40 km (25 mi) is assumed. · Low confidence
Bike simplicityMostly simple3.5
Village turns and one missed turn marker near 19 km (11.8 mi). Otherwise straightforward. · Low confidence

4.1Very good

Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

Crowd supportStrong3.7
Lively park finish and good spectator spots. Few reports of crowds out on the course. · Medium confidence
Aid stationsGood4.0
Racecheck rates aid stations 4.2 out of 5. One reviewer calls the aid well stocked. · Medium confidence
Run sceneryBeautiful3.8
Promenade, sea wall and Promenade Park beside the river. · Low confidence
Run conditionsModerate3.3
Mixed surfaces. 56% of reviewers call the run undulating. · Low confidence

Run flatnessRolling3.4
Listed as promenade and sea wall, but reviewers describe uneven, steep final sections. Gain is not published. · Low confidence

3.6Very good

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Typical July highs of 20 to 23 °C (68 to 73 °F). · Low confidence
Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
British summer weather is variable and the coast is exposed. · Low confidence
Venue beautyLovely3.8
Waterfront park with historic sailing barges. · Medium confidence
Spectator friendlyEasy4.1
Transition and finish share one park. A reviewer praises the location for supporters. · Medium confidence

3.9Very good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.

Hotel availabilityGood3.5
Small Essex town with hotels and B&Bs. Not a destination weekend. · Low confidence
Hotel valueGood3.5
No price data. Typical for provincial England. · Low confidence
WalkabilityWalkable4.0
Park once at Promenade Park. Swim start, transition and finish are close together. · Medium confidence
Travel easeOne connection3.2
About 45 km (28 mi) from Stansted. Most athletes drive. · Low confidence
LogisticsSimple4.1
Racecheck rates event logistics 4.8 out of 5. One park holds transition and finish. · Medium confidence
Town and foodGood3.8
Maldon has a high street, quayside pubs and cafes. · Low confidence

Location: Maldon, Essex, United Kingdom
Typical month: July
Latest or next date: 4 July 2027
Organiser: Other (ATW Events)
Distances: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 40 km (24.9 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
Cutoffs: Swim 1:10
Swim venue: Tidal River Blackwater, starting by the Byrhtnoth statue near Promenade Park (river)
Wetsuit: Likely legal in July; water temperature not published
Swim start: wave (timed around high tide)
Swim laps: 1
Air temperature: 13–23 °C (55–73 °F)
Humidity: moderate
Altitude: 5 m (16 ft)
Nearest airport: London Stansted or London Southend, 45 km (28 mi) away
Where to stay: Maldon town centre
Booking: Day-trip race for most; Maldon has hotels and B&Bs.

RacecheckRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Racecheck shows 24 ratings at 4.5 out of 5 (4.8 for 2026), with 8 written sprint or standard reviews. Athletes praise the marshals, communication and well signed routes, and first-timers feel looked after. Complaints are a confusing swim turn, village traffic, one missed bike turn marker and uneven, steep run sections.
220 TriathlonRaced 2013 · article · Positive
Report on the 2013 edition with about 250 athletes from novices to experienced racers. The swim ran alongside Thames sailing barges with spectators along the length, the bike used exposed Dengie roads, and the park finish had lively crowds. Dated, but it shows the venue character has been stable.

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