Virtual triathlon races: 5 of the best

The triathlon racing calendar may be on hold, but that doesn’t have to mean that competition has to stop. Since April, triathletes have been racing virtual events from back gardens, conservatories and garages around the globe.

While it’ll never match the real thing for enjoyment and satisfaction, virtual racing has plenty of benefits for keeping athletes focussed, helping with training goals and technique refinements, and getting you to use some of that dusty race kit.

As we’ve personally found at 220 via the Ultra X virtual run series this summer, they’re also a massive amount of fun; a (slightly) competitive venture to look forward to at the weekend and a reason to create another WhatsApp group between your mates. And a good excuse for a celebratory glass of your preferred cold tipple on a Saturday night.

CASTLE VIRTUAL SERIES

WHAT A series of three-day weekend events from the Castle Triathlon Series organisers

When The Cheshire Cat 19-21 June; The Kentish Horse 3-5 July

COST £10-20

CHARITY 20% of the entry fee to Macmillan Cancer Support

DISTANCES 40 race types, including Duathlon, Triathlon, Run only, Swim only, Cycle only, Aquabike and Aquathon

WEB ENTRY

www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk

ALWAYS AIM HIGH EVENTS

WHAT Monthly challenges from the race brand behind the Slateman and Sandman Triathlons

WHEN From 1-30 June

COST £12

CHARITY 20% of the entry fee going to five charities via Always Aim High Community Events

FREE STUFF Bespoke slate coaster and Always Aim High Events buff

DISTANCES

DUATHLON 25km RUN – 100km BIKE

RUN/WALK 25km,50km, 75km, 100km

RUN Half Marathon in 24hrs

CYCLE 100km, 150km, 200km, 250km

KIDS 3km, 5km, 10km

STAIRCASE30 Climb the cumulative height of Mont Blanc (4808m) in 30 days

WEB ENTRY alwaysaimhighevents.com

XTERRA CONNECT SERIES

WHAT Less a virtual race series than a collection of instructive videos on training tips, strength and conditioning advice, and skills tutorials to aid improvements in off-road triathlon performance while Xterra’s race calendar is on hiatus.

WHEN Ongoing

COST Free

WEB INFO www.xterraplanet.com

IRONMAN VC

WHAT Ironman’s Virtual Club is the brand’s hub for virtual racing and information, with the Ironman VR (Virtual Racing) element seeing athletes compete in challenges while earning points. It’s since become the platform for Ironman qualification as well, with 70.3 Worlds slots up-for-grabs via a duathlon race format (cycling is restricted to a stationary bike on the Rouvy platform) on the Ironman VR Championship Series.

Are Ironman’s virtual 70.3 worlds qualifiers a good idea?

WHEN Weekly. Virtual races will begin on Fridays at 6pm (GMT) and close on Sundays at midnight GMT.

COST Free

DISTANCES A range of distances, the 5-7 June Ironman VR10, for example, was a 3km run, 40km bike and 10km run.

WEB ENTRY www.ironmanvirtualclub.com

OUTLAW LOCKDOWN TRIATHLON

WHAT A monthly series of races from the Outlaw Triathlon organisers, OSB, with the aim of involving the whole family as well as Outlaw entrants.

WHEN 30 June 2020

COST Free

DISTANCES Three events are on offer. The Future Outlaw involves one “lap” of swim-specific S&C exercises, an 8km turbo bike and 1.5km run. The Outlaw Sprint is two laps, 25km on the turbo (or 35mins on a bike if no smart trainer) and a 5km run, while the Outlaw Half is three laps, 56km (or 86mins) and a 13km run.

WEB ENTRY www.resultsbase.net