Best triathlon photos from the last couple of months

Triathletes ride bikes across bridge over sea — Credit Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon

It’s early in the triathlon season, but there’s already been plenty of elite action from stunning locations both hot and cold.

In New Zealand, the Challenge Wanaka has produced what will doubtless be some of the most beautiful triathlon photos of 2025. The antipodean country also hosted the World Triathlon Cup in Napier.

Off-season competition in the northern hemisphere usually puts a different spin on the traditional multisport format. Snowy shots from the 2025 World Winter Duathlon Championships contrast with photos of the sandy shoreline at the WTCS event in Abu Dhabi.

Take my breath away at Challenge Wanaka

Aerial view of a trail running alongside a blue mountainside lake — It’s a toss-up between the incredible views or the intense physical challenge as to what will take your breath away first at Challenge Wanaka. Competitors seen here take to the eye-wateringly beautiful 21.1km run course, on 21 February. (Credit: Challenge Wanaka / Lennon Bright)

Chafing dreams at Ironman New Zealand

Supporter holding banners at roadside of triathlon race — Local fans cheer on as pro Tim Van Berkel (AUS) flies past on the marathon at Ironman New Zealand on 1 March. Berkel would finish fifth with a 7:56 flat, while the podium was topped by three-time winner Mike Phillips (NZL), Joe Skipper (GBR) in second and Jack Moody (NZL) in third. For the women, Aussie Regan Hollioake (AUS) would stop the clock in 8:51:30 for her third Ironman victory. (Credit: Graeme Murray / Ironman)

Cool runnings at the 2025 World Winter Duathlon Championships

Men run over snowy race course — France’s Marin Gautier leads the men out on the first run at the 2025 Winter Duathlon Champs in Cogne, Italy, on 21 February. The event is made up of a 2km run, 4km ski, 2km run, 4km ski. 2023 champion Jørgen Baklid of Norway (bib no.9 in the image) would reclaim his title this year with a winning time of 36:57. (Credit Petko Beier / World Triathlon)

Skis instead of swimsuits at the 2025 World Winter Triathlon Championships

Woman skier crosses finish line of race — A day after the Winter Duathlon Champs it was the turn of the ‘triathletes’, whose wintry challenge involved a 2km run, 4km bike, 4km ski… and then repeat. Russia’s Daria Rogozina (competing under the AIN neutral flag), who had taken the women’s elite duathlon title just 24hrs earlier, was victorious in a time of 1:05:58. (Credit Petko Beier / World Triathlon)

A podium debut for Mercer

Triathletes leave water after swim leg — Australian pro Brayden Mercer out of the 750m swim at the World Triathlon Cup Napier, New Zealand, on 23 February. Mercer, who trains with Matt Hauser, would eventually finish a close second behind Spain’s David Castro Fajardo for his first World Cup Podium. (Credit: World Triathlon)

Under the bridge at WTCS Abu Dhabi

Two male triathletes cycle beneath bridge — Aussie Matt Hauser and Portugal’s Vasco Vilaça go wheel to wheel in the sprint-distance WTCS men’s race in Abu Dhabi on 15 February. Both would try to stay in contact with Kiwi Hayden Wilde onto the 5km run, but Vilaça was first to drop off on the bell lap before Wilde was able to outsprint Hauser for the win by just 2secs. (Credit Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon)

Front of the pack to DNF

Male triathletes run out of the sea — GB’s Max Stapley exits the water in first place on the second leg of the mixed relay event at WTCS Abu Dhabi on 16 February. But while working with a five-strong lead group on lap one of the bike leg, Stapley crashed after the lead rider, Swiss Simon Westermann, went down ahead of him. The spill meant a DNF for GB, Switzerland and Portugal, as Team Germany took the win. (Credit: Anos Schmidt / World Triathlon)

Brungraber takes silver in the Para Cup

Man rides recumbent bicycle besides sea — The Para Cup kick-started 2025’s pro world series on the new Al Hudayriyat Island course in Abu Dhabi on 15 February. Austria’s Florian Brungraber, seen here, would take silver in the PTWC category, while the only GBR representation came from Ryan Taylor, who took the PTS3 victory. (Credit Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon)

Better returns for Waugh in Abu Dhabi

Inspired by these pictures? Read our guide to the best triathlons in the world to find a race in one of these locations.

About

Jack is an NCTJ-trained freelance sports journalist. He's worked for the Kyiv Post, SWNS press agency and BikeRadar. A runner turned cyclist, Jack loves a challenge on the bike, whether that's a 300km audax or steep hill climb race.