ELTF 2026 Kids/Youth Races

The East Lothian Triathlon Festival 2026, set to take place on Sunday, August 30th at Neilson Park starting from 8:00 AM, is excited to welcome young athletes with an Aquathlon race designed for children and youth aged 8 to 19 years old. This event builds upon the success of previous races in North Berwick and offers a unique opportunity for aspiring triathletes.
Registration on the day will begin at 7:15 AM at Neilson Park, where participants can collect their race numbers and timing devices before settling into transition areas. A mandatory briefing will take place at 8:00 AM inside the sports centre hall adjacent to Aubigny Swimming Pool, followed by a start time around 8:15 AM.
The Aquathlon course features a pool swim in the Aubigny Leisure Centre with swimmers starting every fifteen seconds for a smooth transition. Participants then proceed through a clearly marked red carpet from the swimming area directly into Neilson Park's designated transition zone. Here, they gear up to take on a grass-based run along the park’s playing fields.
The race distances vary according to age groups:
- TriStar Starts (Age 8): A short but sweet challenge with a 50m swim and a 500m run.
- TriStar 1 (Ages 9-10): An intermediate course of 150m in the pool followed by a 1.5km run.
- TriStar 2 (Ages 11-12): A step up with a 200m swim and a 2km run.
- TriStar 3 (Ages 13-14): The longest pool segment at 400m, combined with a grueling 3.0km run.
- Youth/Junior (Age 15-19): A full test of endurance featuring the same swim distance as TriStar 3 but extending to a challenging 5.0km run.
Participants must note that their age category is determined by their age on December 31st, according to British Triathlon Federation rules.
For non-members under 24 years old, there's an additional cost of £2 for a Race Pass which covers membership and insurance. Those aged 24 or over will need to pay £8 for the same benefits if they are not already members of a British Triathlon Home Nation club.
Transition areas are strictly managed with marshals ensuring safety throughout the event. Parents should park in nearby council car parks on the main high street, as parking at Aubigny Swimming Pool and Mill Wynd is restricted to official vehicles only.
The East Lothian Triathlon Club volunteers work tirelessly alongside the local community to organize this festival. Beyond just racing, it’s a day filled with family fun including music, food vendors offering smoothies and coffee, professional timing services, and medals for all finishers. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on participants throughout the event.
For those interested in more races or want to learn about club membership benefits post-event, visit https://www.eastlothiantri.co.uk/ or explore adult race options at https://www.entrycentral.com/ELTF2026.
Entries close on August 16th.