Saundersfoot Triathlon
Saundersfoot, United Kingdom · September · Independent (Activity Wales Events; British Triathlon sanctioned, assumed)
Why people love it
- Single-lap 750 m (0.47 mi) sea swim from the slipway, a format reviewers say suits everyone.
- Strong first-timer reputation: clear briefing, friendly marshals, day-before registration and parking near the harbour.
- Flat, scenic 5 km (3.1 mi) seafront run with big crowds in the village.
- Racecheck 4.74 of 5 from 12 ratings; organisation and communication score highest.
Watch out for
- Hilly two-lap 20 km (12.4 mi) bike with a climb out of town; the St Brides Hill descent needs care.
- Run tunnels are dark, uneven and two-way; one 2016 reviewer hurt an ankle.
- Swim start is compact and tricky for first-timers, in a mass start.
- Reviews are 2016 to 2019; the 2026 edition ran 11 Sep 2026, 2027 is listed for 17 Sep.
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 satisfactionLoved4.2
Racecheck 4.74 of 5 from 12 ratings (2016 to 2019); pulled toward the mean for age and a single source. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.2
Racecheck reviewers praise the briefing, registration and parking, but all reviews date from 2016 to 2019. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.1
Welcoming but hilly bike and tricky swim start. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.9
Hilly bike, tunnel run. · 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
World Triathlon rule applies: legal below 24.6 °C (76.3 °F); Sept sea 15 to 18 °C (59 to 64 °F) (estimate). · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.4
Estimated 15 to 18 °C (59 to 64 °F), cool but wetsuit makes it comfortable. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.8
Generally calm per reviewers; sheltered bay, rain in 2018. · Low confidence
- Swim easeModerate3.3
Single lap, compact start. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.6
Sea swim in a pretty harbour town; few jellyfish. · Low confidence
- Swim supportStandard3.4
Single lap, compact mass start; lifeguard detail not described. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.2
Lanes, not described. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.8
Not stated; marshalled country lanes, one reviewer mentioned cars. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.0
Reviewers describe a beautiful area and route above Carmarthen Bay. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind3.0
Coastal; not reported. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage2.8
Climb out of town, fast descents. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessRolling2.7
Hilly per reviewers. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts2.5
Fast twisting descents and the Heartbreak Hill warning. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong4.3
Town crowds repeatedly praised on the bike and at the finish. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.0
Racecheck aid stations 3.88 of 5 from 8 ratings, the lowest score. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.2
Scenic coastal views to Wiseman's Bridge. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.0
Tunnels. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat4.3
Flat seafront. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Mid-September 13 to 19 °C (55 to 66 °F) (estimate). · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.7
West Wales; 2018 edition was wet. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.2
Reviewers praise the area. It is a harbour village on Carmarthen Bay. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.1
Two-lap bike and harbour finish; village crowds. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Near 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 availabilityBook early2.8
Holiday village near IRONMAN Wales weekend; book early (estimate). · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.0
Seaside prices rise in September (estimate). · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.2
Harbour, registration and parking close together in the village. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeAwkward2.2
About 160 km (100 mi) from Cardiff airport (estimate); no direct rail in the village. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.3
Day-before village hall registration, parking by the harbour, single transition. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.8
Busy tourist village with pubs and cafes; not reviewed. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 17 September 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (Activity Wales Events; British Triathlon sanctioned, assumed)
- Entry fee
- About $55
- First held
- 2016
- Distances
- 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 20 km (12.4 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Saundersfoot beach and slipway, Carmarthen Bay (sea)
- Water temperature
- 15–18 °C (59–64 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- mass (2018 report); compact start from the slipway
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 2
- Key climbs
- Climb straight out of town; Heartbreak Hill (St Brides Hill) descent
- Run laps
- 1
- Run shade
- Tunnels
- Air temperature
- 13–19 °C (55–66 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate, maritime
- Altitude
- 15 m (49 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Cardiff (CWL), 160 km (99 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Saundersfoot village, Tenby
- Booking
- Busy holiday village; IRONMAN Wales in Tenby 2 days later makes the weekend tight. Book early.
What racers and reviewers say
- Racecheck (12 ratings)Raced 2019 · aggregator · Positive
Average 4.74 from 12 ratings, reviews dated 2016 to 2019. Reviewers agree it is very well organised with a strong briefing, easy registration and convenient parking, a welcoming first-timer atmosphere, great crowd support and a good medal. Bike is hilly with a climb out of town and a descent that needs care; run is flat and scenic but the tunnels are dark and uneven. Swim start is compact and tricky; safety scored lowest (4.33) and aid stations 3.88.
- Herald Express race round-up (PressReader)Raced 2018 · article · Positive
Short report of a family racing the sprint: mass start for the 750 m (0.47 mi) sea swim, a two-lap 20 km (12.4 mi) bike and a 5 km (3.1 mi) run. One competitor finished in 1:31:06 despite a calf injury; a relay team took 1:42:44. Confirms format and mass start, adds little opinion.
- Habs Monmouth school newsRaced 2016 · article · Positive
Two boarders entered the sprint in the first edition and said they enjoyed it.
- JustGiving fundraiser pageRaced 2017 · blog · Positive
Charity entrant on a second triathlon, recalling that finding his bike among several hundred in transition worried him the first year. Shows the event is chosen by newcomers and draws several hundred bikes.
Raced Saundersfoot 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.
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