The Brownlee Foundation – set up by Olympic legends Alistair and Jonny after their heroics at London 2012 – have launched a new triathlon in their home city of Leeds for 2025.
Thanks to the brothers, Leeds – and Yorkshire – has become synonymous with swim, bike and run.
They were instrumental in helping bring the World Triathlon race to the city – and dominated it in the first few years – but the last edition of that was in 2022, with British Triathlon deciding in 2023 that hosting a top-tier short-course event was not financially viable.
But now TBF Events, the mass participation arm of the Brownlee Foundation, has announced the launch of the Leeds Triathlon, which will be based at Roundhay Park, just as the WTCS race was.
‘Part of something bigger’
It will take place on Sunday August 3 this year and like the other TBF Events’ races – the Helvellyn Triathlon and the Ripon Triathlon Festival – all profits will be donated to the Brownlee Foundation to support its mission to provide free mini-triathlons for primary school children across the country.
And that commitment to not only providing an exceptional racing experience for athletes of all abilities but also growing triathlon participation is uppermost in the minds of both Jonny and Alistair ahead of the Leeds Triathlon.
Since its inception, the Brownlee Foundation has enabled more than 66,000 children to take part in its events and Jonny said: “It’s about starting young people on a journey into sport and helping them discover all the valuable benefits that come with an active lifestyle. Whether they continue in triathlon or simply find joy in swimming, cycling, or running, we want them to know that being active is for everyone.”
Alistair echoed that, while also emphasising the importance of Leeds Triathlon in supporting that vision, as he said: “We’re inviting the triathlon community to be part of something bigger. By taking part in Leeds Triathlon, you’re not just challenging yourself – you’re directly supporting the next generation of athletes. Every pound raised will be reinvested into grassroots triathlon.”
Perfect for first timers
Leeds has long been a powerhouse of British triathlon, with Alistair and Jonny leading the way, while many other Olympic stars either hail from the city or have made it their training base.
And 2025 now marks a bumper year for the sport in the city with the first ever IRONMAN Leeds taking place in July.
Leeds Triathlon will be at the other end of the distance spectrum, with the Sprint and Super Sprint options perfect for first timers.
And anyone not sure they can take on all three of swim, bike and run can consider the aquabike (swim and bike) or being part of a three-person relay.
Jonny, who won Mixed Team Relay gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, says of the latter: “The relay format of triathlon is a fantastic edition. You can take on the challenge as a team with friends or work colleagues. It’s a great opportunity to take part in a triathlon if you are worried about one of the disciplines as another team member can do your least favourite discipline and you can still enjoy the triathlon experience!”
Course details
The swim will take place in Waterloo Lake, with the bike on closed roads surrounding the park and then the run through the parkland taking in the key sights before finishing in front of the Mansion House.
The race weekend will feature live entertainment, food stalls, an expo village, and family-friendly activities to enhance the experience for both participants and spectators.
Jonny added: “We want Leeds Triathlon to be more than just a race – it should be an event that the whole city embraces. Like other great triathlon cities, we want Leeds to welcome athletes and visitors, creating an atmosphere that everyone benefits from.”
The Brownlees are no strangers to event organisation, having successfully hosted Brownlee Tri events across the north of England including the established Ripon and Helvellyn Triathlons, which collectively raised £15,000 for the Brownlee Foundation in 2024.
More details of the new event can be found at www.leedstriathlon.com
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
