Plymouth Triathlon
Cremyll, Torpoint (Mount Edgcumbe), Plymouth, United Kingdom · June · Independent (Sportiva Events with Plymouth Tri Club)
Why people love it
- Swim from Barn Pool in Mount Edgcumbe Country Park on Plymouth Sound.
- Bike has sea views; the run is traffic-free in the park grounds.
- Marshals and staff are rated 4.87 of 5 on Racecheck.
- Super sprint, sprint, standard and middle distance on offer.
- Cremyll ferry crossing takes about 8 minutes from central Plymouth.
Watch out for
- Reviewers report strong currents and tides on the swim in 2026.
- Roads are open; cars passed closely on downhills, and the organiser says closures are not possible.
- Standard bike climbs about 790 m (2,593 ft); the run about 247 m (810 ft).
- Aid stations were thin; one stop had water only after a climb.
- Ferry or car-ferry access and paid parking; the start time changed in 2026.
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: Very tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.6
Racecheck shows 55 ratings averaging 4.46 of 5 overall but 4.11 in 2026; written reviews range from 2.6 to 4.9. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.4
Marshals are warm, but 2026 reviewers cite a poorly communicated start change, thin aid and toilets, and weak swim policing. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding2.2
1.5 km (0.93 mi) in tide, open roads, 790 m (2,593 ft) of climbing. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow2.2
Hilly bike and trail run. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.0
Wetsuit rule is not stated by reviewers; Plymouth Sound is cool in June. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable2.7
Water temperature is not reported; currents made the swim hard. · Low confidence
- Calm waterSome chop3.0
Sheltered cove, but strong currents and tides in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeHard2.2
1.5 km (0.93 mi) in strong currents. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.1
Scenic start at Barn Pool, but one reviewer called it chaotic. · Medium confidence
- Swim supportStandard2.8
Reviewers say kayaks were poorly policed in the tide. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.3
Surface is not discussed. · Low confidence
- Road closuresOpen traffic1.4
Reviewers report cars passing closely on downhills; the organiser says closures are not possible. · High confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.2
Sea views on the bike, per reviewers. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.0
Coastal exposure; wind is not discussed. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow1.9
Hilly with traffic. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessMountainous1.3
790 m (2,593 ft) at 40 km (25 mi). · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts2.6
Open roads and a poorly marked course in 2026, per reviewers. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.0
Park venue; crowd comments are scarce. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard2.6
Aid stations were thin; one stop had water only after a climb. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.3
Traffic-free run through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsHard1.9
Steep trail over 10 km (6.2 mi). · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessBig climbs1.4
247 m (810 ft) of climbing 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-June south-coast weather; no heat complaints. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
Not discussed. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.5
Country park on Plymouth Sound with sea views. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.4
Ferry or car-ferry access makes it harder for supporters. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
Plymouth is at 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 availabilityGood3.8
City with many hotels; athletes say little. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
No price evidence from athletes. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving2.8
Cremyll ferry crossing of about 8 minutes from central Plymouth. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.8
Ferry or car-ferry access and paid parking. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity2.6
Ferry crossing, paid parking and a start-time change in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.8
Plymouth has plenty of food; athletes say little. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Cremyll, Torpoint (Mount Edgcumbe), Plymouth, Cornwall / Devon, England, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 13 June 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (Sportiva Events with Plymouth Tri Club)
- First held
- 2023
- Distances
- 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 40 km (24.9 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Barn Pool, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park (sea)
- Water temperature
- 13–16 °C (55–61 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- wave
- Swim laps
- 2
- Bike climbing
- 790 m (2,590 ft)
- Run climbing
- 247 m (810 ft)
- Run laps
- 2
- Run shade
- mixed
- Air temperature
- 12–20 °C (54–68 °F)
- Humidity
- moderate
- Altitude
- 15 m (49 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Exeter Airport (EXT), 100 km (62 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Plymouth Hoe, Barbican
- Booking
- Foot passengers and bikes cross on the Cremyll Ferry (about 8 minutes) from King William Yard, Plymouth, with an early sailing for competitors; or drive via the Torpoint car ferry or around through Cornwall. Paid parking near event HQ.
What racers and reviewers say
- Racecheck (Plymouth Triathlon)Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Racecheck shows 55 ratings averaging 4.46/5 all-time but 4.11 in 2026; ten written reviews, mostly 2026, score 2.6 to 4.9. Reviewers agree that marshals and staff are friendly, scenery is lovely and the course is a tough, rewarding challenge. The recurring negatives: strong currents and tides made the swim very hard, one calling it chaotic with poor kayak policing and a standard swim that seemed over 1,500 m (0.93 mi); cars on open roads, including close passes on downhills; steep hills on bike and run; a poorly communicated start-time change; sparse aid and toilets. Organisers replied that they will add a portaloo, review the swim, consider a flatter run and improve course marking, but cannot get road closures.
Raced Plymouth Triathlon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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