York Triathlon
York, United Kingdom · August · UK Triathlon (organiser; British Triathlon sanctioned)
Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 20.4 km (12.7 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 400 m (0.25 mi) pool / 20.4 km (12.7 mi, 6 x 3.4 km) / 5 km (3.1 mi, 4 x 1.25 km); Super Sprint 200 m / 10.2 km / 2.5 km (0.12 / 6.3 / 1.6 mi)
Why people love it
- Heated 25 m (82 ft) pool swim of 400 m (0.25 mi), so no open water or wetsuit worry.
- Flat lapped bike of 20.4 km (12.7 mi) on closed roads, with free parking at the venue.
- Racecheck 4.26 of 5 from 52 ratings; Findarace 4.9 from 14, with first-timers prominent.
- Marshals and staff are the top-scoring category (4.73 of 5) on Racecheck.
Watch out for
- The bike is six technical laps, and one reviewer thought the surface unsafe. Learn the corners.
- Athletes count their own pool lengths and laps, so wear a watch.
- Reviewers reported only one competitor toilet and unnumbered racks in 2023.
- Entry is about 80 GBP (about 105 USD), high for a sprint.
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: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.2
Racecheck averages 4.26 of 5 from 52 ratings and Findarace 4.9 from 14; reviewers praise the friendliness and venue. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.4
Racecheck scores staff 4.73 and logistics 4.56; reviewers noted unnumbered racks and a single competitor toilet. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyIdeal first race4.8
All Racecheck reviewers tag it beginner friendly; pool swim and closed roads. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.8
Flat laps with technical turns; the 2024 course record is 59:09. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Water temperatureComfortable4.0
Heated pool. Temperature is not published. · Low confidence
- Swim easeVery easy4.5
Pool. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.2
Functional pool swim, not scenic. · Low confidence
- Swim supportAbundant4.7
Indoor pool with lifeguards and lane control. · High confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.0
One reviewer found the surface unsafe. · Low confidence
- Road closuresFully closed4.7
Closed to traffic per organiser and reviewers. · Medium confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant2.8
Campus laps. · Low confidence
- WindMostly calm3.6
Campus with some shelter; not reported. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.6
Technical laps. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessPancake flat4.8
Flat per the organiser and reviewers. Elevation gain is not published. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.0
Reviewers describe a technical lapped course. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.4
Venue good for spectators; laps repeated. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.0
Racecheck aid stations 4.35 of 5. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.0
Campus laps. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.7
Short laps. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat4.4
Flat, with one slope noted by a reviewer. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.1
Mid-August is typically 13 to 22 °C (55 to 72 °F). · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
Rain affected one edition; pool swim removes swim risk. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyPleasant3.4
Green university campus. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.3
Reviewers call it an excellent venue for spectators. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
About 15 m (49 ft). · 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
York has many hotels, but August is busy. No reviewer comments. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
No pricing evidence found; York summer prices are likely high. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.4
One venue: pool, transition, laps and finish are on campus, with free parking. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.6
Direct trains to York; the airport is about 55 km (34 mi) away. The campus is a bus or cab from the station. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.4
Single venue, free parking and closed roads, though racks lacked numbers and toilets were limited. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.3
York city centre 3 km (1.9 mi) away; not reviewed. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- York, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- August
- Latest or next date
- 22 August 2027
- Organiser
- UK Triathlon (organiser; British Triathlon sanctioned)
- Entry fee
- About $105
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 20.4 km (12.7 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- York Sport Village indoor pool, University of York Heslington campus (pool)
- Swim start
- pool time trial (self-counted lengths)
- Swim laps
- 16
- Bike laps
- 6
- Run laps
- 4
- Air temperature
- 13–22 °C (55–72 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate
- Altitude
- 15 m (49 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Leeds Bradford (LBA), 55 km (34 mi) away
- Where to stay
- York city centre, Heslington, University campus
- Booking
- York hotels are plentiful but pricey in August; free parking and an optional Park and Ride at the venue.
What racers and reviewers say
- Racecheck (52 ratings)Raced 2022 · aggregator · Positive
Average 4.26 from 52 ratings (2022 average 4.48), reviews 2015 to 2022. Reviewers agree on friendly, supportive marshals, well-organised briefings, a pool swim and an event suited to first-timers (100% tag). The bike is often called technical and fun, though one said the surface felt unsafe (safety scored lowest, 4.12); the run is tagged flat but one describes a multi-surface slope.
- Findarace (14 reviews)Raced 2023 · aggregator · Positive
Average 4.9 from 14 reviews (mostly about three years old). Common praise: great organisation, clear signage, closed roads, friendly staff, a good first triathlon and a good venue for spectators. Complaints: only one toilet for competitors, confusing racking without rack numbers, unclear results timing and dogs on site.
- UK Triathlon event page and race packRaced 2025 · article · Positive
Organiser facts: 17 Aug 2025 race, 6 x 3.4 km (2.1 mi) bike, 4 x 1.25 km (0.8 mi) run, self-counted pool lengths, 2024 sprint course records 59:09 and 1:06:16, entry now 80 GBP. Organiser source, not athlete evidence.
Raced York 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 York Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.