Want to enter an Ironman or full-distance triathlon but struggling to justify the spend?
We get it. Triathlon can be expensive, particularly when you want to compete in full-distance events. That's why we've compiled this list of some of the cheapest iron-distance triathlons around the UK and Europe.
Of course, there are other ways you can keep your costs down while enjoying triathlon. For example, you could use one of our free triathlon training plans.
You don't have to spend loads on kit, either. One of these budget triathlon wetsuits would do a fine job, while we've also compiled lists of the best budget helmets and the best cheap running shoes.
For now, though, here are 10 of the cheapest long-distance triathlons you can find in Europe.
The best cheap Ironman-distance triathlons in Europe
Ocean Lava Poland
Location: Bydgoszcz, Poland
Entry fee: £112.99
When: August
Yes, you read that right. Just over one hundred quid for an iron-distance race. Okay, the majority of you will have to travel to the middle of Poland to race, but £112.99 for a 226km race is remarkable (though the price rises if you enter closer to the event).
And Poland is famous for your Pound Sterling going further than other EU nations, especially that for that post-race pint and pierogi with sauerkraut.
Ocean Lava Poland offers both full and middle-distance race options, and has been held in Borówno, just north of Bydgoszcz in Central Poland, for two decades. Some 1,000 athletes entered in 2018, facing a beginner-friendly four-lap lake swim in warm waters of 20C.
There’s an out-and-back bike route that’s fast and flat, before a similarly mostly-horizontal run course around Myślęcinek Park.
The nearest large airport is Poznan, which Ryanair fly to from Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester and London Stansted in the UK. Wizz Air also fly to Poznan from Luton.
The Hardman
Location: Killarney, Ireland
Entry fee: £194.54 (€220 booking fees)
When: August
Held since 2011, the Hardman has been a pioneer of long-course racing in Ireland and often hosts the Irish Long Distance National Championships.
“When you're tackling your first Ironman distance, you need all the help you can get. With Hardman, you get this in spades,” says Declan Kenny, who finished 51st in 2016.
“From registration to race start, and throughout the day, right through to the breakfast next morning, you’re not so much a number as part of the family."
The race features a swim in the famous Lakes of Killarney, before a scenic and rolling bike course that features the Ring of Kerry. The looped run is set within a park, with support from marshals, aid stations and the locals.
Kerry has its own airport with flights from London or Manchester, or you can fly to Cork, which is well-served by cheap flights from the UK, including from Ryanair and Aer Lingus.
Outlaw Nottingham
Location: Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham
Entry fee: £325 ( booking fee)
When: July
Much-loved since its inception in 2010, this regular winner of the 220 Triathlon Award for Race of the Year offers quite possibly the friendliest atmosphere of all UK irons and showcases all of race organiser One Step Beyond’s exhaustive race-day knowhow.
With camping available on site and plenty of accommodation offerings nearby (and a central England location for saving the petrol monies), finding somewhere to stay is easy and affordable. And registration is a breeze at the spectator-friendly Holme Pierrepont water centre.
The route consists of a lake swim, a flat-ish 180km bike course of rolling tarmac, before the run takes place on a flat and well-supported route.
Another draw of Outlaw, not shown by the stats here, is the Outlaw Half event held here every year in May, which takes place on the same course as its bigger brother and offering plenty of recovery time between the two.
We named Outlaw one of the best European Ironman-distance triathlon for beginners.
Grizzlyman Full
Location: Near Ostrava, Czech Republic
Entry fee: From £186
When: July
This may be hard to believe... For £186 you get entry into the Grizzlyman Full, plus basic accommodation for two people (essentially a large communal space with mattresses), hot food at the finish line, photos and a finisher gift!
Of course, you also get a hell of a challenge. This full-distance event in south-eastern Czech Republic is made up of a two-lap lake swim followed by a challenging 185km bike route complete with 3,680m of elevation gain.
That's followed up by a 42km run around the Lysa Hora massif, with an elevation gain of 2,400m.
The entire route takes place against a beautiful backdrop of mountains and dense forest.
Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Ostrava, which is the nearest airport to the race start, or from Stansted to Brno, which is also nearby.
The Northumbrian
Location: Kielder Waterside Park, Northumbria
Entry fee: £305
When: July
The Northumbrian may be relatively new to the triathlon circuit, but boy is it a good day out.
It starts with two laps in Kielder Water and is followed by a two-lap bike course that takes you through incredible scenery and over the border into Scotland.
The four-lap run uses the same forest trails that host the Kielder Marathon, taking you through the beautiful scenery of the national park.
There's a range of accommodation around the region, including campsites.
Lakesman
Location: Keswick, Lake District
Entry fee: £329
When: June
The Lakesman has been a massive success story since its first race in 2016 and it swiftly gobbled multiple awards, including a 220 Triathlon gong for ‘Race of the Year’ (under 500 entries) a few years ago.
The race sells out each year, but – if you find an entry – the fees are cheap and you can split the cost over multiple payments.
The race weekend itself features a slick and stress-free registration, top-notch feed stations throughout the day and one of the most post-race feeds in iron-distance triathlon.
And that’s before we get to the gorgeous Lake District setting, with a 3.8km swim in Derwentwater, a 180km bike along the western coast of Cumbria and a run through the Cumbrian countryside.
The Lakes also have a host of accommodation types available, from guest houses to hotels and campsites.
Triathlon X - The Full X
Location: Ambleside, Lake District
Entry fee: From £195
When: June
The Full X is our toughest long-distance triathlon in the world, with a total elevation gain of over 5,000m over its gruelling 226km tour of the Lake District’s toughest peaks and steepest ascents.
After a bracing swim at the northern end of Lake Windermere, the bike route sees you tackle The Struggle, Hardknott and Wrynrose, and the run takes you up and around the Fairfield Horseshoe.
Thankfully, the race is easier on the purse strings than it is on the quads, and entries start at £195 if you book early (full price is £295 otherwise). There’s also camping and the Ambleside YHA as affordable accommodation options.
UK Ultimate Triathlon
Location: Whitchurch, Shropshire
Entry fee: From £294
When: June
As beginner-friendly, welcoming and affordable iron-distance triathlons go, they don’t come much better than the UK Ultimate Triathlon in Whitchurch, Shropshire.
This writer did his first iron here in 2018 (on a kit budget of a grand) and the logistics are a big sell, with registration, T1, T2 and the finish line all at the same venue, which has ample cheap parking. The course keeps things supporter-friendly with a four-lap lake swim, reasonably-flat four-lap bike course and six-lap run.
The organisers are attentive and inspiring (running and chatting with the athletes on the run course), the aid station volunteers relentlessly energetic and you’re even allowed to have a supporter join you on the run course.
Camping is available on site and there’s a wide range of affordable B&Bs and guesthouses in the near vicinity.
Altriman
Location: French Pyrenees
Entry fee: £239 (€270)
When: July
Altriman has appeared in 220 Triathlon before and we classed it as one of the toughest middle-distance triathlons around.
Well, the full-distance is even tougher. While the 2023 course is currently being put together, last year's route involved a two-loop swim in an artificial lake located 1,541m above sea level, followed by 5,500m of ascent in the Pyrenees and then 800m on the run.
But as well as being tough it's also great value, as the entry fee also gets you an invite to the Friday night pasta party, the Sunday lunch, a departure gift, T-shirt and a medal.
Perpignan airport is a 90min drive away and can be reached from London Stansted, Leeds and Birmingham airports via Ryanair.
Midnight Man Triathlon
Location: Dartford, Kent
Entry fee: From £195
When: August
The Midnight Man from Bridge Events Dartford has become a regular fixture on the UK circuit, and is back for another year. The race is unique in that it takes place overnight, with a 6pm start time in Dartford Lake (a middle-distance race is also available).
Following the four lap swim, there’s a fully closed-road bike course featuring a mighty 20 laps of 9km before an eight lap marathon run.
Also saving you pennies is the fact you don’t have to book a hotel as you’ll be out racing, although you’ll have to buy your hardy race supporters one hell of an English breakfast come Sunday morning.