Derby Triathlon

Etwall, United Kingdom · September · Independent (PMA Racing)

Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 18 km (11.2 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 400 m / 18 km / 5 km (437 yd / 11.2 mi / 3.1 mi).

Why people love it

4.3Very 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: Moderate

Racer satisfactionLoved4.2
Racecheck shows 77 verified reviews averaging 4.65 of 5, all from 2025 and 2026; first-timers are repeatedly happy. · Medium confidence
OrganizationWell run4.2
Safety 4.75 and logistics 4.86 of 5, but reviewers also cite a confusing bike finish, unclear course maps and parking. · Medium confidence
First timer friendlyIdeal first race4.7
400 m (437 yd) pool swim, 18 km (11.2 mi) bike, flat 5 km (3.1 mi) run. · Medium confidence

PR potentialFast3.5
Pool start and railway-path run; rolling bike. · Low confidence

4.2Very good

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

Wetsuit legalRarelyn/a
Pool swim, so wetsuit rules do not apply. · Low confidence
Water temperatureComfortable4.2
Heated pool; no complaints about the water. · Medium confidence
Calm waterRoughn/a
Pool swim, so open-water conditions do not apply. · Low confidence
Swim easeVery easy4.5
400 m (437 yd) staggered-start pool swim. · Medium confidence
Swim experienceGreat3.7
Pool swim is easy and reassuring but not an open-water experience. · Medium confidence
Swim supportAbundant4.6
Marshals and staff are described as reassuring, and the pool removes open-water risk. · Medium confidence

2.6Good

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

Road surfaceMixed3.3
Surface is not discussed by reviewers. · Low confidence
Road closuresMostly open2.3
Roads are open; later starters meet busier traffic. · Medium confidence
Bike sceneryPleasant3.4
Derbyshire lanes; reviewers do not discuss views. · Low confidence
WindSome wind3.3
Wind is not mentioned by reviewers. · Low confidence

Bike speedAverage3.3
Rolling roads with traffic over 18 km (11.2 mi). · Low confidence
Bike flatnessRolling3.4
Rolling lanes over 18 km (11.2 mi); no gain figure. · Low confidence
Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.1
Reviewers found the end of the bike confusing and course maps unclear. · Medium confidence

3.5Good

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

Crowd supportDecent3.0
Small-scale event; crowds are not discussed. · Low confidence
Aid stationsGood4.0
Reviewers rate aid around 4.5 of 5 on Racecheck; on a 5 km (3.1 mi) run it matters less. · Medium confidence
Run sceneryPleasant3.2
Railway path through the edge of the city. · Low confidence
Run conditionsEasy4.2
Firm out-and-back path. · Medium confidence

2.7Good

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

Air temperaturePleasant3.8
September start in the Midlands; 2026 was wet. · Low confidence
Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Wet weather hit the 2026 race and transition is in a field. · Low confidence
Venue beautyPleasant2.9
Leisure-centre and field setting rather than a scenic site. · Low confidence
Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.4
Pool venue and field transition; spectator comments are scarce. · Low confidence

3.8Very good

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

Hotel availabilityGood3.9
City with many hotels; athletes say little. · Low confidence
Hotel valueGood3.8
No price evidence from athletes. · Low confidence
WalkabilitySome driving3.2
Parking was not ideal in reviews. · Low confidence
Travel easeEasy3.8
Road and rail links; athletes say little. · Low confidence
LogisticsSimple4.1
Racecheck logistics scores 4.86 of 5, though parking was not ideal and transition is in a field. · Medium confidence
Town and foodFine3.0
City event; athletes do not discuss food. · Low confidence

Location: Etwall, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Typical month: September
Latest or next date: 13 September 2026
Organiser: Independent (PMA Racing)
Field size: About 450 athletes
Distances (non-standard): 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 18 km (11.2 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
Swim venue: Etwall Leisure Centre six-lane 25 m (27 yd) pool (pool)
Wetsuit: Not applicable (pool)
Swim start: time-trial (seeded by estimated swim time)
Run laps: 1
Air temperature: 11–19 °C (52–66 °F)
Humidity: Moderate
Altitude: 60 m (195 ft)
Nearest airport: East Midlands (EMA), 20 km (12 mi) away
Where to stay: Derby, Burton upon Trent
Booking: Day-trip race. Parking was not ideal per a Racecheck reviewer. Derby city hotels about 8 km (5 mi) away.

Racecheck (Derby Triathlon)Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
77 verified reviews, average 4.65, all from 2025 and 2026. Reviewers praise friendly reassuring marshals, clear pre-event communication, a welcoming atmosphere for first-timers, free photos and quick results. Complaints: later starts for faster athletes mean busier roads, a confusing end of the bike course, unclear course maps, parking and wet weather. Safety 4.75, logistics 4.86.
“great first triathlon, supportive staff”
Racecheck reviewers (77)

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