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Middle Distance & Half Ironman Triathlons
The Half Ironman, also known as the Middle Distance Triathlon or 70.3, consists of a 1.2 mile (1.9k) swim, 56 mile (90k) bike, and 13.1 mile (21.2k) run. In total, this adds up to a distance of 70.3km (hence the name), which is exactly half the distance of a full Ironman. The half Ironman is becoming a more and more popular distance, as triathletes want to push themselves beyond the standard Olympic distance, but aren't yet ready for the full Ironman distance. Events at this distance can vary according to weather conditions or the difficulty of the terrain, but in general the cut off time for half-ironman distance triathlons is 8 and a half hours after the start. A very impressive time for completing a 70.3 triathlon would be under 6 hours, and elite competitors even go under 4 hours! There are two official Ironman 70.3 events in the UK, in Weymouth and Staffordshire, where it is possible to qualify for the annual Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
Saturday, 8 Jul 2023
Outlaw Half Holkham Weekend 2023
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
10k, half ironman
(11 reviews)
Saturday, 2 Sept 2023
Outlaw X Thoresby Park Weekend 2023
Newark, Nottinghamshire
10k, half ironman
(38 reviews)
Saturday, 10 Jun 2023
Slateman Triathlon & Duathlon 2023
Llanberis, Gwynedd
olympic, sprint, half ironman, super sprint, short (0–2km), medium (2–5km)
(4 reviews)
Saturday, 10 Jun 2023
Challenge Wales
Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
half ironman, sprint
Sunday, 18 Jun 2023
Wild Boar Middle Distance & Olympic 2023
Wotton-under-Edge, South Gloucestershire
super sprint, half ironman
Sunday, 9 Jul 2023
Ironbourne
Eastbourne, East Sussex
5k, marathon, ironman, half ironman
(1 reviews)
Sunday, 23 Jul 2023
On The Edge Middle Distance Triathlon
Compton Verney, Warwickshire
half ironman
Sunday, 30 Jul 2023
255 Triathlon Festival of Endurance
Chichester, West Sussex
5k, ultramarathon, sprint, ironman, half ironman
Sunday, 11 Jun 2023
Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire
Stafford, Staffordshire
half ironman
(1 reviews)
Sunday, 17 Sept 2023
Ironman 70.3 Weymouth
Weymouth, Dorset
half ironman
(6 reviews)
About Middle Distance & Half Ironman Triathlons in the UK
The Half Ironman (aka Middle Distance or 70.3) is a real test, but definitely achievable for those willing to put in two to three months of consistent training in advance. The race consists of a 1.9k (1.2-mile) swim, 90k (56-mile) cycle and a 21.1k run (13.1-mile/half-marathon): the total distance is 113k or 70.3 miles, hence the name. The distance of each stage is exactly half that of a Full Ironman event, which has a total distance of 140.6 miles (226.2k).
Ahead of any race, be sure to read up on the requirements for essential equipment. Some events won’t let you compete if you don’t have the right gear. A wetsuit requirement is certainly something to look out for, and the norm in the UK because of our cold waters. We’ve put together a list of the essentials to get you going.
What are the best Middle Distance Triathlon events?
Long form triathlons have been gaining in popularity in recent years and the number of events has swollen. The Ironman UK and Ironman Wales events both host the shorter 70.3 format but there are plenty of flagship events for the Middle Distance Triathlon. Weymouth 70.3 and Hever Castle Triathlon are two famous examples.
What is the average time to complete a Middle Distance Triathlon?
It’s really hard to say how long these events should take an athlete to complete. At one end of the spectrum, you have the professionals who will finish these events in or around the four hour mark. But a lot of the time required can be down to the course itself, some are very flat and fast and others pride themselves on being more rugged and challenging. A very good time for an amateur athlete would be five to six hours for males and six to seven for females.
How long should I train for a Middle Distance Triathlon?
To get yourself to the level of fitness required to finish one of these events we’d recommend you train for around three months. We’ve put together a Middle Distance training plan to help you on your way. Don’t forget to taper as you’ll want your energy reserves to be full. These events are a real test of your grit, but if you’ve finished one already and are looking for your next challenge then maybe you should try your hand at the Full Distance Triathlon.
