Upton Tri+
Upton upon Severn, United Kingdom · July · Independent (OP Events)
Course: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 41 km (25.5 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run. 1.5 km (0.93 mi) river swim, 40 to 42 km (25 to 26 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run (listed as Standard).
Why people love it
- Downstream River Severn swim, 750 m (820 yd) sprint or 1.5 km (0.93 mi) standard, with kayaks and ramps.
- Flat, fast open-road bike of 21 to 42 km (13 to 26 mi) per reviewers.
- Relaxed riverside meadow, easy parking and a charity-minded community feel.
- Sprint and Olympic-distance standard share a roomy transition.
Watch out for
- July heat: 31 °C (88 °F) in 2026, and 2025 had too few water stops and shortages.
- The run is grass and farm tracks with little shade; few athletes have written about the Olympic distance.
- Bike is on open roads with a couple of major junctions.
- The river swim can be replaced by a 5 km (3.1 mi) run if flows are unsafe.
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 satisfactionLoved3.8
Racecheck 4.35 out of 5 over 7 reviews but 3.73 for 2025, plus a positive 2026 first-timer report. Mixed recent evidence. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.4
In 2025 reviewers reported no extra water in the heat, aid stations running out, a duathlete stopped short and questioned timings. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.4
A step up: 1.5 km (0.93 mi) swim, 41 km (25 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) trail run. One first-timer wrote. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage3.3
Fast swim and flat bike, but two or more laps of grass and tracks make the 10 km (6.2 mi) run slow. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalCoin flip3.4
River temperature is not published and rules are assumed to follow British Triathlon. A 2026 first-timer called the water warm. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.6
River Severn swim described as surprisingly warm and lovely in 2026. Racecheck rated water quality 3.0 out of 5 from only 2 ratings. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.1
Smooth natural downstream current. A Canal & River Trust restriction applied in 2026, and the swim can be replaced by a run in unsafe flows. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.8
1.5 km (0.93 mi) with the current, easier than a still swim, but long for newcomers. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.1
Both Racecheck reviewers and the 2026 report praise the downstream river swim, with spectators on Upton bridge. · Medium confidence
- Swim supportGood4.2
Dedicated safety kayaks and entry and exit ramps are listed for 2027. Staggered start keeps swimmers spaced. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.3
Local roads with a couple of major junctions. Surface was not discussed. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.5
Open roads with a couple of major junctions. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.6
Severn valley roads. Reviewers rated the bike mainly on speed. · Low confidence
- WindMostly calm3.5
Severn valley roads. Wind was not mentioned. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.8
Flat open roads per reviewers. Junctions may slow you. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat3.6
Reviewers say flat with no steep climbs over 40 to 42 km (25 to 26 mi), but no elevation is published. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple3.7
Open roads with a couple of major junctions to cross. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.4
Spectators cheer swimmers from Upton bridge, and the meadow finish is relaxed. Small field of about 150. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsThin2.4
In 2025 heat, water ran out at aid stations and reviewers said there were no extra water stops. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.7
Riverside paths and farm tracks along the Severn. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsModerate2.7
10 km (6.2 mi) on grass and tracks with little shade, hard in heat. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.0
Farm tracks, grass and riverside paths with one main climb per lap, repeated over 10 km (6.2 mi). · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool2.9
It reached 31 °C (88 °F) in 2026, and 2025 was described as extreme heat. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Heat has been the main issue in the last two years. Earlier years are not documented. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.9
Riverside meadow by the Severn, with campsite and a relaxed community feel. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.0
Upton bridge is a good swim viewpoint, and the Fish Meadow finish is open and relaxed. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
About 15 m (49 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
Small riverside town; Malvern and Worcester are nearby. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.6
Typical Worcestershire prices, not driven by the race. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.0
Swim start, transition and finish share the riverside meadow, and parking is easy. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Birmingham airport is about 55 km (34 mi) away. There is no direct rail line to the town. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.1
Easy parking, roomy transition and shared sprint and standard transition, though the 2025 timing questions cost points. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.7
Small riverside town with pubs. Reviewers did not discuss it. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- July
- Latest or next date
- 10 July 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (OP Events)
- Field size
- About 89 athletes
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 41 km (25.5 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- River Severn at Little Fish Meadow, Upton upon Severn (river)
- Swim start
- staggered river start, downstream swim
- Run shade
- little; heat was a problem in 2025
- Air temperature
- 13–25 °C (55–77 °F)
- Humidity
- moderate
- Altitude
- 15 m (49 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Birmingham (BHX), 55 km (34 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Upton upon Severn, Malvern
- Booking
- Race uses a caravan and campsite meadow; camping and a party option were listed. Easy parking per 2018 review. Airport distance is an approximate road estimate.
What racers and reviewers say
- Racecheck (7 written reviews)Raced 2025 · aggregator · Mixed
Racecheck shows 4.35/5 all-time from 7 written reviews, but 3.73/5 for 2025. Earlier reviewers (2018 to 2021) praise a relaxed, family-friendly community race, a fast downstream river swim, roomy transition, easy parking and friendly marshals. In 2025 reviewers complained there were no extra water stations in the heat, aid stations ran out, the organiser stopped a duathlete from finishing and timings were questioned; a first-time standard triathlete still loved the swim and bike.
“The down river swim is great”
- Malvern Observer, 2026 first-timer reportRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Local report on the 11 July 2026 race in 31 °C (88 °F) heat with 64 sprint and 89 standard finishers. A councillor racing her first triathlon called the River Severn swim surprisingly warm and lovely, said clear signage made transitions easy and fundraised for charity; spectators cheered swimmers from Upton bridge.
Raced Upton Tri+? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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