An international triathlon competition held in Bournemouth with sprint, standard, aquathlon and aquabike distances.
The Bournemouth International Triathlon returns to West Cliff Gardens on Sunday 13 September 2026. It's one of the South Coast's longest-running triathlons, with a history that goes back to when thousands of people, including Olympians and athletes who later turned pro, were racing through the town. The start and finish are both based at West Cliff Gardens, just on the west side of Bournemouth Pier.
There's a range of distances to choose from, so you can pick the one that fits your level. The Sprint Triathlon is a 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5km run. The Standard is the full distance: a 1500m swim, 40km bike, and 10km run. If you're not keen on the run, there's the Aquathlon Sprint, which is a 750m swim and a 5km run, and the Aquabike Standard, which is a 1500m swim and a 40km bike. The swim for both the sprint and standard distances starts on the blue flag beach just below West Cliff Gardens, and the bike course heads out from there towards Ringwood, on the edge of the New Forest, before you run along the promenade back to the sand. A 2025 Racecheck review called it brilliant for beginners and experienced athletes alike.
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It's a Sunday event, and the whole thing is centred around the West Cliff Gardens area, so it's easy to find. If you're looking for a race that takes you from the beach, through the New Forest, and back to the seafront, this is it. The full line-up is the Sprint Triathlon, the Standard Triathlon, the Aquathlon Sprint, and the Aquabike Standard, all on Sunday 13 September.
