Manchester Triathlon Club - Junior Triathlon

The Manchester Triathlon Club Junior Triathlon 2026 invites young athletes aged 8 to 16 to compete at Hough End Leisure Centre on Monday, August 31st, starting promptly at 1 PM. The race is designed for triathletes of various skill levels and features four distinct categories: Tristart (ages 8), Tristar 1 (ages 9-10), Tristar 2 (ages 11-12), Tristar 3 (ages 13-14), and Youths (ages 15-16).
Each category includes a unique set of distances:
- Tristart: A short swim of 50 meters, followed by a bike ride of 750 meters on grass, concluding with a run of 600 meters.
- Tristar 1: For slightly older athletes aged 9 to 10 years old, the race features an increased distance: a 150-meter swim and transitions into a more challenging 2.25-kilometer bike ride before ending on foot with a run of 1.2 kilometers.
- Tristar 2: Athletes between ages 11 to 12 will tackle a 200-meter pool swim, then pedal for an additional kilometer and three quarters around the grass field course before completing their race with a run covering two laps at 1.8 kilometers each lap.
- Tristar 3: For athletes aged 13 to 14 years old, this category includes a longer swim of 300 meters, followed by a bike ride that extends to six kilometers and concludes with an extended four-lap run totaling 2.4 kilometers.
- Youths: The oldest group in the competition will face a grueling challenge: a pool swim covering 400 meters, then biking for nearly ten kilometers over thirteen laps around the field before finishing strong on foot after running eight laps at 1.5 kilometers each lap.
The event begins with the Youth category and progresses backward to accommodate younger participants. The race starts in the six-lane swimming pool within Hough End Leisure Centre, transitioning quickly out onto a flat grassy area where both bike and run segments are completed as continuous loops around an open field. Participants will be notified of their specific start times prior to the event.
Competitors must provide an estimated swim time upon registration; adjustments can be made up until June 26th via your entrycentral user account, ensuring you're placed in the appropriate heat for optimal competition and enjoyment. Athletes may choose between a Female category (exclusive to those who identify as female at birth) or Open category which welcomes all participants regardless of gender identity.
Registration details also include selecting race categories based on eligibility criteria set forth by British Triathlon's transgender policy, ensuring fair play across the board since January 2023. No transfers, swaps, or deferrals are allowed once an entry is made; refunds will not be issued for withdrawals unless communicated to organizers beforehand using contact information provided.
Join us at Hough End Leisure Centre this summer as we celebrate and encourage young triathletes in Manchester's vibrant sporting community!