The Felixstowe Triathlon
Felixstowe, United Kingdom · July · Independent (Trifarm)
Course: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 41 km (25.5 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run. 1.5 km / 41 km / 10 km (0.93 mi / 25.5 mi / 6.2 mi); Racecheck old listing 38 km (23.6 mi). Totals on Racepass (52.5 km) fit 41 km.
Why people love it
- Sea swim beside Felixstowe Pier for sprint and standard, with a pool super sprint for newcomers.
- Flat promenade run finishing on the seafront.
- Around 1,000 entrants and a festival atmosphere.
- Several formats: super sprint, sprint, standard, aquabike and relays.
Watch out for
- The sea swim runs only if weather and tide allow, so the start may move.
- Sea temperature is not published; July is typically 15 to 19 °C (59 to 66 °F).
- The bike crosses the A14 and passes the Docks, so check the route briefing.
- Few athletes have written about it, so detail on the bike course is thin.
Race
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 satisfactionLoved4.0
Let's Do This shows 4.7 from 65 ratings and one 2023 Racecheck reviewer gave 5.0. Few written accounts of the sea swim. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.9
Strong ratings and no complaints found, but there are no detailed accounts of how the day runs. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.3
1.5 km (0.93 mi) sea swim, 41 km (25.5 mi) bike and an A14 crossing; tides can change the swim. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.6
Flat promenade run, mostly flat 41 km (25.5 mi) bike. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.5
July sea is typically 15 to 19 °C (59 to 66 °F), well under the 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) limit. Not published. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.2
Sea temperature is not published. July is typically 15 to 19 °C (59 to 66 °F). · Low confidence
- Calm waterSome chop3.0
Open North Sea beach with tides; the swim may change on the day. · Low confidence
- Swim easeModerate2.8
1.5 km (0.93 mi) in the North Sea with tides. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.6
Swim along the beach toward the pier is scenic; sea conditions vary. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood3.6
Sea swim with a pool super sprint option. The sea start depends on weather and tide. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.2
No data; docks road and rural lanes. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.5
No closure information found. Expect marshalled open roads. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant3.4
Suffolk countryside and Felixstowe Ferry. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.8
Open coastal Suffolk; wind exposure likely. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.7
41 km (25.5 mi) through the Docks and Suffolk lanes. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat3.8
Undulating and mixed per one listing, over 41 km (25.5 mi). No elevation figure. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.2
Route through the Docks area and A14 crossing; no detail. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.7
Promenade finish and residents described as encouraging, but few spectator accounts. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.6
Hydration stations listed; no athlete feedback. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.0
Seafront promenade by the beach. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.8
Two out-and-back loops, 10 km (6.2 mi), exposed to sun and breeze. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.8
Flat promenade, two loops over 10 km (6.2 mi). · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.1
Mid July is typically 15 to 23 °C (59 to 73 °F) on the Suffolk coast. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
Dry-ish east coast, but sea swims depend on wind and tide. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.0
Seafront, pier and beach huts. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.3
Seafront finish; swim, run and finish all visible from the promenade. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Felixstowe is about 10 m (33 ft) above sea level. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.5
Seaside town with hotels; race weekend demand unknown. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.5
No price data. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.2
Seafront venue with the pool and promenade nearby. Parking information was not found. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.8
Ipswich is about 20 km (12 mi) away by train; Stansted Airport is about 105 km (65 mi). · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.6
Transition and parking details were not found. One reviewer praised pre-event communication. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.8
Seaside town with cafes and pier. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Felixstowe, Suffolk, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- July
- Latest or next date
- 18 July 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (Trifarm)
- Field size
- About 1,000 athletes
- First held
- 2021
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 41 km (25.5 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- North Sea beach in front of the Ferris Wheel, swimming NE toward Felixstowe Pier (sprint and standard); Felixstowe Leisure Centre pool (super sprint) (sea)
- Water temperature
- 15–19 °C (59–66 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional
- Swim start
- wave
- Swim laps
- 1
- Run laps
- 2
- Run shade
- None; seafront
- Air temperature
- 15–23 °C (59–73 °F)
- Humidity
- Coastal
- Altitude
- 10 m (33 ft)
- Nearest airport
- London Stansted (STN), 105 km (65 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Felixstowe seafront, Ipswich
- Booking
- Seaside town with hotels and B&Bs, but July race weekend can be busy; Ipswich about 20 km (12 mi). Airport distance approximate, 105 km (65 mi).
What racers and reviewers say
- Let's Do This (The Felixstowe Triathlon)Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.7 from 65 ratings. Strongly positive, no detail on why.
Raced The Felixstowe Triathlon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for The Felixstowe Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.