After two years of disruption, the 2022 event season kicks off in a couple of weeks with the calendar’s opening duathlons raising the curtain on what is set to be an exciting season. There are events old and new, catering for everyone, so here’s a run down on what lies ahead in the opening months of the season, as well as some of the WTSS and National Championship events. We suggest you sign up early before these races sell out. Click on the links to see more info about each race.

We start in March with the opening duathlons of the season. The TRT Bandits Duathlon on March 6th is a great introductory event for children and adults in the North. The GoTri event staged at Marsh Tracks caters for Tristars and adults, whilst down south on the same day, The Pembrokeshire Duathlon, a full sprint duathlon based out if Neyland offers flat fast runs and a couple of challenging climbs on the bike. Staying west, the Wildflower Duathlon based at the National Botanic Gardens on March 13^th is another race open to all abilities, from beginners to seasoned athletes.

The Final Weekend of March provides a feast for all ages and abilities. March 26^th sees the popular Mumbles Duathlon take place on the point of Swansea Bay, whilst the following day, the Welsh Duathlon Championships take place at Harlech at the AAH Harlech Triathlon and Duathlon event. This will be the first National Championship event of the season and the first duathlon champs since the Pembrokeshire Duathlon in 2019.  This will be the first opportunity of the season for Welsh Triathlon members to compete for a National Championship medal. The Newtcracker Sprint Triathlon also takes place on the same day for those in the South unable to make the trip north, and across North Wales at Buckley leisure centre, is the Buckley Aquathlon, suitable for competitors from tristart through to youth and juniors.

The action continues in April, with the first of a new series of duathlons being held at Pembrey Country Park. The Pembrey Junior Duathlon series is a new set of events delivered between Celtic Tri and ATAC, and there are multiple offerings throughout the whole season. Machynlleth's Dyfi Dash  driven by Cerist Triathlon Club is back with its popular pool sprint triathlon on April 10^th, whilst those who fancy keeping dry have the Wales Duathlon based at Penarth promenade to enjoy.

The open water season truly kicks off in May, with the spring edition of The ROC taking place in Abersoch on May 14^th. The first of many middle-distance events this season, offering a whistle stop tour of the Llyn Peninsula and Eryri. If you’re not quite ready for the middle distance, a pool based sprint triathlon is also on offer at the Pwllheli Triathlon thanks to Dreigiau Dwyfor Triathlon Club.

Carnival of Triathlon at North Dock

Whilst Pwllheli and the ROC offer opportunities in the North, the full triathlon pathway will be on display at North Dock in Llanelli on the same weekend. The Friday night Sospan Chairty Swim opens up proceedings, with swims of 750m, 1500, 2250m and 3000m on offer. Funds from the Swim will go towards supporting Nathan Ford’s recovery, as well as other local charities. The Saturday starts with the British Triathlon Paratri Super Series. One of five stages of the British Para Series, this year sees the removal of para-classification, making it more accessible for those who wish to explore para-triathlon. More information on the British Para Series can be found here. As well as the British Para Series is the Youth, Junior and Senior Britiish Super Series, which for the first time also offers opportunities for budding age groupers to race against those within British Triathlons’ performance pathway. If you are an age grouper, you will need to complete some intelligent racing days and performance assessments to ensure you reach the required criteria, and then space are offered on a drop-down basis. Further information on this selection process can be found here.

Sandwiched amongst the British Super Series is the second National Championship of the season, and the first Mixed Team Relay National Championships since the inaugural event at Bala in 2018. Supported by Agilis, The Agilis Welsh Clubs Relay Championships will be an opportunity for mixed teams of two male and two female athletes from affiliated Welsh Triathlon clubs go head to head, and imitate the fast and furious racing witnessed by team GB at Tokyo and what team Wales will be participating in at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The event will also open category racing, but these will not be eligible for National Championship awards.

The Sunday sees the start of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series The Llanelli Sprint Triathlon Any Welsh Triathlon member wanting to enter this event are encouraged to contact the race director directly. As the race has been deferred, there are limited spaces available. The organisers are still processing deferrals and cancellations and have asked for those wanting to race to contact them directly. For those of you who want to explore what Triathlon has to offer, this is the perfect weekend. There will also be introductory open water Swimming Sessions available. Once the final athlete has left the water of the Llanelli Sprint Triathlon, spectators and newcomers can enjoy an introductory Open Water Swim session at the Dock. The coached session will take place as the Sprint triathlon athletes are out on the bike course, so come and have a swim and be finished in plenty of time to welcome athletes as they cross the finish line. (Details to follow). 

Elsewhere in May, The Stephen Lewis Aquathlon takes place at Ystradgynlais on the 22^nd May, whilst The first Bryn Bach Aquathlon of the season takes place on Thursday 26^th May. On the final weekend of May is the SWYD Triathlon at Barry Island, and although not part of the National Championship or Super Series for 2022, still a firm favourite across the Welsh triathlon community.

For further information on all of the above events, as well as the events currently in the calendar for the rest of the season, you can visit here

A Feast of Middle Distance

Although Ironman 70.3 Swansea may have taken the limelight recently, the was big news from further West last week with the announcement of the only Challenge Event in the UK across 2022. The Challenge family head to Fishguard on 18^th June, for Challenge Wales, previously the Wales Triathlon, the event is also  the largest pro field for 2022 in the UK and also the National Middle Distance Championship for 2022.

Also new for 2022 is the Legend distance leg taking place at the AAH Cardiff Triathlon. This will be in addition to the regular activity that takes place at Cardiff, as well as the Welsh Triathlon Tim Tri Cymru being in action as part of the British Sprint Championships.

The Roc Spring event mentioned above, is also supported by The ROC Summer held in September.

National Championships and Welsh Super Series

Monmouth Triathlon Club have recently announced the dates for the 2022 Monmouth Aquathlon. This event completes the 2022 National Championship programme. Details for the Monmouth Aquathlon can be found here whilst the rest of the National Championship programme here

Last week also so the official opening of stage 5 of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series, the Bala Standard Triathlon. This event is another which tends to sell quickly, so be sure to register early to avoid disappointment. You can enter the race here and explore the other races of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series here

Remember, to ensure you are covered for your training, and eligible to compete for prizes across the Welsh Triathlon National Championships and Welsh Triathlon Super Series, get your membership here