The Ilkley Triathlon is a club-run sprint-distance event held every year since 1992, making it one of the longest running triathlon events held in the UK. It has a reputation for being a friendly race, ideal for novices and first-timers, with great support all the way around the course. However, the course is still a challenge for more experienced athletes. Indeed, Olympic medalists Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee have both participated in the event in the past.
A testament to its popularity is that it has won the UK “Race of the Year” on multiple occasions, including 2015, and was nominated in the top three in 2016 and 2nd in 2017. Ilkley Triathlon remains one of the best value-for-money events in the racing calendar. It is set in the stunning Yorkshire countryside and is simply a must-do event.
17-year-old Nathan Coy won the Ilkley Triathlon 2021 in an impressive time of 00:52:14, following in the footsteps of his older brother Dominic, who set the event’s record in 2019 at 00:49:53.
Organizers, participants and marshals were all excited to take part this year after missing out on the 2019 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s event raised £325 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance through the generous donation of participants and spectators to its raffle. Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a rapid response air emergency service. The charity was set up in 2000 and serves a population of approximately 5,000. record
Don’t fancy racing as an individual? Why not get together with some friends and enter a team: one person swims, one person bikes and the third finishes with the run. It can be a fun way to start your life as a triathlete. With a multi-lap course, full catering facilities and great views, it’s also perfect for your supporters to enjoy the day whilst cheering you on. In recent years, it has sold out within hours, so if you would like to find out what all the fuss is about and take part, then don’t delay!
The Ilkley Triathlon is a sprint-distance event with a 500m indoor swim, followed by a 14.5km bike (3x laps of a 4.8km circuit) and a 4.8km run (1x lap of the same circuit). Whilst the event is taking place at the Ilkley Pool & Lido, the swim takes place in the indoor pool with extra-wide lanes, and not in the outdoor lido.
The bike and run follow the same course (see map above and video below) – a 4.8 km circuit along Denton Road, Carter Lane, Curly Hill and Middleton Road. The first mile is flat, the second uphill, and the third mile downhill. The course is suitable for all abilities, but can be challenging if you want to make it so.