Middle distance or half Ironman – whatever you want to call it, this goldilocks triathlon distance is swiftly becoming the most popular among new triathletes and experienced racers alike. Long enough to feel like a significant challenge, but not so long that training for it will have to be your entire life for several months of the year (we’re looking at you, full Ironman distance!)
If you’ve decided it’s time to step your triathlon addiction up a notch and work towards ticking off your first middle distance/half Ironman. The first port of call is finding the right race. Which can be trickier than you might think. After all, you want a course that’s inspiring and exciting – without being so tough that it’s unachievable for your first attempt. And you want to have the confidence that the race organiser is well equipped to look after beginners.
With that in mind, we’ve pulled together a list of the best middle distance/half Ironman triathlon events for first timers. Offering race courses that are the ideal balance of challenging but achievable, epic race day atmospheres and of course – impeccable organisation. We’re confident these races will help you have an incredible experience at your first half distance triathlon.
Best middle distance triathlons for first timers in the UK
If you’re based in the UK, the thought of travelling overseas with your bike to race might be a bit intimidating. The good news is, there are plenty of brilliant half distance races right here on home turf.
Outlaw Half Nottingham
Home of the OG Outlaw full, the team behind this race have 10 years’ experience and counting of putting on top class triathlon events.
Outlaw Half Nottingham is a staple in many triathletes’ race calendars. The swim takes place in the rowing lake at the National Water Sports Centre which is home to race HQ. An easy to navigate course and a time trial start makes for a very first-timer friendly start to the race. The bike course takes you out into the surrounding Nottinghamshire countryside. It’s fast, flat and there’s little to worry about in terms of hills. Once you hop off the bike, you’ll head out onto the flat half marathon course which laps around the lake – meaning there’s plenty of opportunities for your support crew to cheer you on before you finally get to head down the famed Outlaw orange carpet to the finish line.
Expect a friendly, supportive environment and a buzzing race day atmosphere that’ll make the challenge of ticking off your first middle distance race feel like a breeze!
London T100
If stepping up to the full 70.3 distance feels intimidating, but you still want to push yourself to go beyond the Olympic distance. Then the T100’s 100km age group races are a great option. Featuring a twist on the typical middle distance race, with a 2km swim, 80km bike and an 18km run.
London T100 race weekend will give you the opportunity to challenge yourself against the backdrop of some of the city’s most iconic sights. And you’ll also get the chance to feel inspired as you watch the world’s best PROs take to the race course. London T100 race weekend offers up a full schedule of shorter racing alongside the flagship 100km distance, so expect a hyped up atmosphere and plenty of crowd support.
Cotswold 113
Cotswold 113 is – as you might guess by the name – a middle distance triathlon held in the Cotswolds. This race is popular with first timers and experienced triathletes alike. The race organisers themselves describe the course as ‘virtually pancake flat’, meaning it’s accessible for beginners but also offers up the prospect of a new personal best time for those with a few more finisher tees folded in their kit drawer.
The swim takes place at Lake 32, which is open all year round and offers instructor-led open water swimming sessions – ideal for getting some practice in before race day if you’re a nervous swimmer. The fast, flat bike course will take you on a tour of the surrounding Cotswolds countryside before you head back for the run which loops around the lake and neighbouring villages. Cotswold 113 is put on by a husband and wife team who first started the race back in 2010 as a small community race for their local tri club – quickly growing in popularity and becoming a go-to choice for triathletes looking for a fast, flat course. Alongside the 113 event in June, they also offer the ‘Cotswold Classic’ in August which as a slightly more rolling course.
Outlaw Half Holkham
If Outlaw’s half distance in Nottingham doesn’t tickle your fancy, then a trip to the stunning North Norfolk coast for Outlaw Half Holkham might. Set against the backdrop of Holkham Hall, this middle distance race is slightly more rolling than it’s Nottinghamshire counterpart – but there are no significant gradients, so it’s still very first-timer friendly.
Alongside the incredible coastal scenery, you can also except and epic race weekend atmosphere. Outlaw Half Holkham has a jam-packed schedule of race weekend events, including a new gravel sprint distance triathlon, middle distance aquabike, a 10km run and the Future Outlaw kids race. Taking place the first weekend of July, this race would be the ideal family getaway to enjoy a weekend of multisport before taking some time out to explore the North Norfolk coast.
Box End Centurion
The Box End Centurion is a (just over) 100km distance triathlon set to take place in May 2025. It’s an ideal race as a stepping stone up to the full 70.3 mile half Ironman distance, or for anyone wanting a practice run before taking part in one of the T100 age group races.
You’ll start your day with a 2.2km swim in Box End lake – a purpose built open water swimming and water sports lake. The 81km bike course is a gently rolling explore around the Bedfordshire countryside. What makes this race unique is the off road run course which takes you around the lake and the surrounding woodlands. This run will feel a little more challenging compared to a tarmac course, but the reward is nice scenery to distract you from the effort and plenty of shade if it’s a hot day.
First timer-friendly half Ironman triathlons in Europe
Looking for a middle distance race suitable for beginners on the continent? Here’s our top recommendations for races with fun but achievable courses and experienced organisers to help you keep the pre-race nerves in check.
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam
Take a look at the video above to get an idea of what race weekend is like at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam! Home to one of the oldest long distance triathlons on the circuit, the team at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam know how to put on an epic triathlon party. The middle distance race in Almere is a great option for first timers stepping up a distance. The swim is in a crystal clear lake, with an easy to navigate course and a well-managed, stress free start. The bike course is fast and flat. And the run course takes you on a scenic tour around the lake, with a lively atmosphere – especially as you run by the event village. The race takes place in September, which means you can get a full summer of training in and hit the start line feeling confident and prepared.
IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn
Part of the IRONMAN Pro Series in 2024, the team behind IRONMAN Tallinn pride themselves on putting on a race weekend that’s organised ‘by triathletes, for triathletes’. The course at Tallinn is fast and flat, and the city is a hidden gem that’s worth visiting whether you’re racing or not. But what makes this race special is the fact that the organisers are willing to go above and beyond to do everything in their power to make sure you get a full swim, bike and run as a participant. They get how important that is, especially to first time participants. In 2024, they moved the swim at the 11th hour where other organisers might have taken the easy route and turned the race into a duathlon. Both the 70.3 and the full distance race attract a large number of first timers every year. You can read more about our personal experience of racing in Tallinn here, but the TL;DR version is you can expect impeccable organisation, a great race day atmosphere and the best cinnamon buns ever for your post-race refuel. What’s not to like?
Challenge Vieux Boucau
The beautiful seaside resort of Vieux Boucau, France, plays host to a middle distance triathlon every October. The swim takes place in the marine lake, a saltwater lake right near the ocean. You’ll get the additional buoyancy of saltwater, without having to deal with any of the chop and swell. Parfait! The bike course is mainly flat, with just a few gentle rollers to keep things interesting. And the run course takes you around the lake and into the town of Vieux Boucau, with plenty of spectator support to keep you energised all the way to the finish.
Long Course Weekend Maastricht
For those interested in doing a full half Ironman triathlon, but not quite ready to put it all together on one day the Long Course Weekend events are an ideal choice. Over the course of three days, you can tick off each of the middle distance triathlon disciplines – without the pressure of doing them totally back to back. There are various LCW events out there. But if you want to take a trip to Europe, the Maastricht event weekend is a great option. The swim takes place in a lake with sandy beaches, the bike – as you’d probably guess given it’s The Netherlands – is nice and flat. And the run takes in the streets and trails around Maastricht. You can also mix and match the distances to tailor your weekend to match your ability.
IRONMAN 70.3 Porec
Turn your first middle distance triathlon into let season getaway and consider IRONMAN 70.3 Porec, Croatia. You’ll start your day with a swim in the sparkling waters of the Adriatic sea – but don’t let the sea swim scare you. It’s in a protected cove, and the water is usually a nice warm temperature even in October. The bike course is undulating, but there aren’t any significant climbs. And the run course is truly stunning, taking you all the way out along the coast.
Like Challenge Almere-Amsterdam, the timing of this race also means you can make the most of a full summer of training before you have to be ready to race.
Top middle distance triathlons for beginners in North America
If you’re based in North America, or you’re from Europe and you’re looking to plan a bucket list race-cation to take on your first half Ironman distance triathlon – look no further. Here’s our pick of the best beginner-friendly races in the USA and Canada.
Challenge Cap Québec
What better way to explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed sights of Quebec than by doing a triathlon? Now in its second year, this addition to the Challenge Family race calendar will give you the opportunity to experience the colonial architecture and vibrant cultural scene of Quebec from a unique perspective.
The race starts with a swim in the calm waters of Bassin Louise, before you head out of T1 onto a fast, flat bike course. It’s an out and back, which makes things easy for those still working on their bike handling skills. But the scenery ensures the bike course is anything but boring. Finally, you’ll head out of T2 and take on the half marathon along the banks of the river and around the Old Town before a spectacular finish in front of the Château Frontenac.
IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon
Love triathlon but hate swimming? This one’s for you! IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon features a down river swim, so you can jump in and let the current do some of the hard work for you. Once you exit T1, probably with a PR for the swim near-guaranteed, you’ll head out onto the rolling bike course through the region’s wine country before taking on the half marathon on paved surfaces with plenty of shade to keep you cool.
Alpha Win Palm Springs Triathlon
Head to the Coachella Valley for fast, fun racing in a dry and sunny climate. The Alpha Win Springs middle distance triathlon takes place in October. The swim takes place in Lake Cahuilla, with an average water temperature of 21 degrees Celsius / 70 Fahrenheit – meaning wetsuits will most likely be allowed (ideal for beginners) but the water won’t feel too cold. The bike course is a straight forward double out and back with little in the way of climbing to disrupt your rhythm. Finally the run course takes place back at the lake, with the five lap format meaning it’ll be easy for your support crew to cheer you on from start to finish.
Challenge Esprit Montreal
Challenge Montreal is a half distance triathlon with a course steeped in history. Dive into the Olympic Basin for the swim, host to the 1976 Olympics. Bike around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, famous for setting the stage for the F1 Canadian Grand Prix. And run towards finish line glory on a fast, flat run course with the finish line in the same place as that of some of the historic 1976 Olympic Games events.
It might sound all a bit fast and furious, but the course at Challenge Montreal is extremely first timer friendly. A packed weekend schedule that includes super sprint, sprint and Olympic distance racing alongside the middle distance event guarantees a buzzing atmosphere. And if all the race day action isn’t enough excitement, you’ve got all the sights and sounds of the bustling city of Montreal to enjoy while you’re in town.
Head over to our Lets Race… section for more race recommendations and insights.
