10 of Europe’s cheapest Ironman-distance triathlons

Struggling to stomach the cost of a full-distance or 70.3 triathlon? These picks will test you physically and mentally without being as painful on your pocket…

Triathlon is an expensive hobby. The combination of swimming, cycling and running means there’s three times as much gear to buy just to get started, while fuelling a marathon multi-sport effort requires some serious investment in nutritional supplements during training alone. And that’s before you get to the races themselves.

Costs have crept up in all walks of life of late, and triathlon is no exception. The UK’s only full-distance Ironman-branded event (Wales, taking place in September) would have set you back more than £550 this year, and that’s before you factor in additional outlays like travel and accommodation. It’s not just Ironman-branded races, either, with the PTO’s updated T100 event in London costing £249 for its 2km swim, 80km bike and 18km. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Swerve the flashy marketing, ‘free’ backpack and finisher t-shirt, and you’ll discover a whole host of races where it’s possible to bag a new PB or tick off a bucket list overseas effort without breaking the bank. 

Of course, there are other ways you can keep your costs down while enjoying triathlon. For example, you could use one of our free triathlon training plans.

You don’t have to spend loads on kit, either. One of these budget triathlon wetsuits would do a fine job, while we’ve also compiled lists of the best budget helmets and the best cheap running shoes.

For now, though, here are 10 of the cheapest long-distance triathlons you can find in Europe.

The best cheap Ironman-distance triathlons in Europe

Ocean Lava Poland

Location: Bydgoszcz, Poland
Entry fee: £135
When: August

If its ridiculously low price wasn’t eye-catching enough, Ocean Lava’s only full-distance triathlon has another trick up its sleeves – it’s a PB-chaser’s dream.

After tackling the calm waters of Borówno’s lake, you’re pitted against four loops on the bike where elevation gain is just 172m per lap – most of which is a single kilometre-long hill that peaks at 8% gradient. The run course is similarly flat and has three aid stations that will help you over the line.

Still not convinced? Direct flights are available from Stansted to Bydgoszcz and an average return comes in at £50 (although, as this is with Ryanair, expect to pay twice that if you want to take your bike, transition bag and anything you can’t carry on your person…).

The Hardman

Location: Killarney, Ireland
Entry fee: £166.71 (€200 + 8% booking fee)
When: August

Held since 2011, the Hardman has been a pioneer of long-course racing in Ireland and often hosts the Irish Long Distance National Championships.

“When you’re tackling your first Ironman distance, you need all the help you can get. With Hardman, you get this in spades,” says Declan Kenny, who finished 51st in 2016.

“From registration to race start, and throughout the day, right through to the breakfast next morning, you’re not so much a number as part of the family.”

The race features a swim in the famous Lakes of Killarney, before a scenic and rolling bike course that features the Ring of Kerry. The looped run is set within a park, with support from marshals, aid stations and the locals.

Kerry has its own airport with flights from London or Manchester, or you can fly to Cork, which is well-served by cheap flights from the UK, including from Ryanair and Aer Lingus.

Outlaw Nottingham

Location: Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham
Entry fee: £365 (+ booking fee)
When: July

For a big day event experience without the associated price tag, Outlaw’s award-winning long-distance race is one of the best in the UK.

Based at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottinghamshire, participants get to sample the thrill of a 600-plus-strong mass start – no waves here – before taking on a lap of the crystal clear (and calm) Regatta Lake.

The lumpy bike course comprises two loops (one of which you complete twice), with the ascent of Oxton Bank (1.3km with an average gradient of 4.7%) just before halfway the biggest obstacle to overcome. A three-lap run route along the River Trent offers enough variety to not get too repetitive.

On-site camping sells out very quickly, but close proximity to Nottingham means there’s a host of options– from budget to boutique – to suit your price point.

Another draw of Outlaw, not shown by the stats here, is the Outlaw Half event held here every year in May, which takes place on the same course as its bigger brother and offering plenty of recovery time between the two.

We named Outlaw one of the best European Ironman-distance triathlon for beginners.

Grizzlyman Full

Location: Near Ostrava, Czech Republic
Entry fee: From £184
When: May

This may be hard to believe… For £184 you get entry into the Grizzlyman Full, plus basic accommodation for two people (essentially a large communal space with mattresses), hot food at the finish line, photos and a finisher gift!

Of course, you’ll also get a hell of a challenge. This full-distance event in south-eastern Czech Republic is made up of a two-lap lake swim, followed by a challenging 185km bike route complete with a fearsome 3,680m of elevation gain.

That’s followed up by a 42km run around the Lysa Hora massif, with an elevation gain of 2,400m. To put that into context, its a very similar number to the well-known extreme long course race in Scotland!

The entire route takes place against a beautiful backdrop of mountains and dense forest.

Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Ostrava, which is the nearest airport to the race start, or from Stansted to Brno, which is also nearby.

The Northumbrian

Location: Kielder Waterside Park, Northumbria
Entry fee: £310
When: June

The Northumbrian may be relatively new to the triathlon circuit, but boy is it a good day out. Set in the stunning surroundings of the wild north-east of England, expect a keen challenge on the legs.

It starts with two laps in Kielder Water, followed by a two-lap bike course that takes you through incredible scenery and over the border into Scotland. The four-lap run uses the same forest trails that host the Kielder Marathon, taking you through the beautiful scenery of the national park.

There’s a range of accommodation around the region, including campsites, and plenty of points of interest post-race, check out nearby Hadrians Wall and the Roman Fort at Vindolana.

Triman 226

Location: Katerini, Greece
Entry fee: £233.50 (€280)
When: October

Missed out on a PB but don’t want all your hard months of training to go to waste? This October full has a flat, fast course (600m elevation gain over 180km), and its setting in the shadow of Mount Olympus means you might even have the gods on your side.

The Triman also has a relatively small 100-competitor field, meaning the transition zone isn’t huge and you should be able to focus solely on your effort without worrying too much about drafting on course.

Once you’ve finished, be sure to stick around for the post-awards ceremony party and celebrate your achievements on Olympic Beach in style.

Thessaloniki is the closest airport to the Aegean Sea event and return flights can be picked up for less than £200. 

ATW Odyssey

Location: St Neots, Cambridgeshire
Entry fee: £289
When: July

Active Training World (ATW) organises 100 events each year across the UK, including world and European triathlon qualifiers, so you know that the experience at the full-distance Odyssey is going to be anything but budget, despite the reasonable price.

Set in St Neots, the swim is two laps of a River Ouse-based course, before competitors take on two laps of a three-pronged bike leg – although don’t be fooled by its Cambridgeshire location, with it more undulating than pan-flat.

The final leg is six laps of a 7km course, giving your supporters plenty of opportunities to cheer you on (as your mind slowly turns to mush).

Camping pitches for tents and motor homes are available on site for £15 per pitch, although as there isn’t any running water or showers, you might want to plump for a nearby Premier Inn for less than £100 per night instead. atwevents.co.uk

UK Ultimate Triathlon

Location: Whitchurch, Shropshire
Entry fee: From £299
When: June

As beginner-friendly, welcoming and affordable iron-distance triathlons go, they don’t come much better than the UK Ultimate Triathlon in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

This writer did his first iron here in 2018 (on a kit budget of a grand) and the logistics are a big sell, with registration, T1, T2 and the finish line all at the same venue, which has ample cheap parking. The course keeps things supporter-friendly with a four-lap lake swim, reasonably-flat four-lap bike course and six-lap run.

The organisers are attentive and inspiring (running and chatting with the athletes on the run course), the aid station volunteers relentlessly energetic and you’re even allowed to have a supporter join you on the run course.

Camping is available on site and there’s a wide range of affordable B&Bs and guesthouses in the near vicinity. uktriathlon.co.uk

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Vitruvian

Location: Rutland Water, Rutland
Entry fee: From £149
When: September

Have ambitions of becoming a Triathlon England national champion? Well, getting onto the start line at this year’s Vitruvian won’t cost you the Earth – allowing you to pour your savings into all those race-winning marginal gains.

The loan half distance race on our list, but for good reason. The Rutland Water event is renowned for being fast – its swim is sheltered, the ride is three largely flat loops, while the run is on a smooth, asphalt track – so expect the tempo to be high from the firing of the start gun.

It’s not solely about speed, though, and the location is very easy on the eye – from the bunting-clad chocolate box villages of Rutland to the iconic landmark of Normanton Church on the lake’s edge.

Rutland Water Campsite (pitches from £7) is the closest accommodation to race HQ, although it lacks facilities, so a B&B in Oakham might be your best bet. 

Midnight Man Triathlon

Location: Dartford, Kent
Entry fee: From £195
When: August

The cheapest full-distance triathlon in the UK is also one of its most unique.

Starting at 6pm, even the fastest competitors will go deep into the night, with those in the 11-hour-plus bracket guaranteed to see sunset and daybreak in the same race.

The course isn’t exactly bucket list material – there’s the constant roar of the nearby QE2 bridge, while the bike leg alone requires 20 laps on a closed A-road course – but once the sun has set, you wouldn’t be able to see much of your surroundings anyway and can get your head down on a flat and fast course.

Racing through the night will require some serious R&R once you’ve finished, and at £72, the Dartford Travelodge means you can compete, sleep and be left with change from £300.

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