Olympic Distance
Sun 6 Jul 2025 Braunton, Devon, UK

Croyde Ocean Olympic Triathlon

This Olympic Distance Triathlon was one of 220 Triathlons 'Top 21 must-do' triathlon challenges for 2022, and shortlisted for best triathlon in the UK for 2020! Stunning and savage.

  • Sun 6 Jul 2025
Putsborough Beach, Braunton

Olympic Distance

07:30

Age 17 & over on 31 Dec 2025

£85-£129

  • 1.5 km sea swimming
  • 37 km road cycling
  • 12 km trail running

Event overview

'Top 21 must-do' triathlon challenges (220 Triathlons) and shortlisted for Best Triathlon in the UK!

The courses feature the stunning headlands of Down End and Baggy Point, spectacular views over the ocean and beaches, farms and countryside.

Highlights

  • Best Triathlon in the UK shortlist
  • 220 Triathlons Top 21 must-do triathlons
  • Vibrant Event Village with top catering
  • Great for friends, family and spectators
  • Award-winning beach venue
  • Stunningly scenic routes
  • All levels welcome from newbies up
  • Relay options for two or three people
  • Family Cup competition

This event is part of Croyde Ocean Triathlon.

Event video

  • All fitness levels
  • Dogs allowed
  • Event village
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Wetsuit required

Timetable

Saturday

  • 16:30-19:00 | Registration at Croyde Village Hall EX33 1LX

Sunday

  • 05:30-07:00 | Registration at Race HQ, Putsborough
  • 06:00 | Cafe opens
  • 05:30 | Transition opens

The Family Cup

Does your family have what it takes to be the best?

The Family Cup

Following the success of the “Family Cup” competition, does your family have what it takes to be the best this year?

Simply enter a relay team made of family members – from siblings, parents and children to grandparents and you could take away the “stunning and savage” trophy. Will you be the family for this year?

Family Cup

Relay teams

Relay teams can be made up of teams of two or three people.

There are separate categories for women and open, and and mixed teams, as well as the “Family Cup” for those teams made up of members of the same family. There will be medals for the first, second and third teams in each category.

team

Virtual briefing

An online virtually hosted briefing takes place one week before the event. A recording will be made available. Every competitor who signs up is confirming they will confirm that they watch the race briefing and that they are fit enough to take on the event.

  • Cafe
  • Paid parking
  • Showers
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Putsborough Beach
Vention Lane
Croyde
Braunton
Devon
EX33 1LB
UK

Start

The race starts at Putsborough Beach – EX33 1LB.

Free transfer

FREE transfer from Barnstaple train station.

This event is really keen to keep its carbon footprint to a minimum. There is a free return transfer if you are arriving into Barnstaple by train on Saturday and heading back on Sunday afternoon.

Paid parking

Parking is at Putsborough Beach.

It is a large independently run car park directly next to the transition area and currently charges £12 per car per day (please car share where possible).  Free parking for season pass holders.

Accommodation

There are lots of B&B, hotel and campsite options available in Croyde and the surrounding area. Both Croyde and Woolacombe are nearby and are awash with accommodation and camp site.

Food vendors

Hearty baps

The world famous Thatch Pub from Croyde will be serving hearty, good sized bacon or sausage or veggie sausage baps – simple and quick served in a napkin. This will be on site serving up tasty sourdough slices piled with delicious and nutritious flavoured hummus, roasted veg, nuts and seeds, they will also have their loved hearty vegan bowls.

Smoothies

Nourish will be offering delicious smoothies to fuel, recharge or simply enjoy, the perfect blend of taste and nutrition. As well as sweet treats, including vegan and gluten-free, savoury snacks, protein bars and powder, electrolytes, muscle rub and plenty of positivity and encouragement!

Coffee

As for coffee there's Justin from 51 Degrees North, serving filter coffee from beans he roasts and grinds himself. Best coffee in Braunton by miles! If you want to queue for a cappuccino or a latte our fave coffee truck Maggie’s are bringing a touch of Italian class with them. Both will have a range of cakes and cookies.

atmosphere

  • Food stations
  • No headphones
  • Wave start

Ocean swim

Open sea swim in the Atlantic Ocean

Along Putsborough beach, in the Atlantic ocean, marshalled by fully qualified lifeguards and team of 40 board paddlers.

Water quality is superb. 

Once out of the water there is a steep run back into transition. We time you on the steep run – will you be Hero of the Hill?

Road bike course

This new circular bike route truly shows off the finest views on offer in the area.

Starting above Putsborough Beach, the route winds its way towards the historic Pickwell Manor and up onto higher ground, heading towards West Down. Next to the A3123 where you may see Exmoor in the distance. Back for blast along the 3123 towards Woolacombe, before taking you down through the picturesque village of Mortehoe after a very steep and slow descent you hit the beach and head through Woolacombe, back up out of Woolacombe towards home and more beautiful winding lanes. Stunning views, ups and downs, there is something to see at every turn and plenty of elevation to challenge all competitors.

Off-road run

2km longer than a Standard Olympic Distance Triathlon, A demanding, hilly and possibly muddy route (where you may encounter the odd sheep!)

This is a fantastic run devised by local athletes to give you fabulous views of all three bays: Putsborough, Saunton and Croyde. 2km longer than a Standard Olympic Distance Triathlon, it includes a beach run along the famous Croyde surfing beach and will encompass Baggy Point, before hugging the coastline and dropping back into Putsborough.

The Stunning and Savage Olympic Tri is slightly different to a Standard Olympic Distance Triathlon. Whilst the sea swim is 1.5km, the (new route for 2024) bike route is 37km and the off-road run is 12km, allowing the course to take in the stunning headlands of Down End and Baggy Point. It is worth the extra 2km of running!

Feed stations

  • There will be 1 water and jelly baby station on the run route located near to the 7K mark.
  • You will need to bring sufficient water and snacks for the bike section.
  • If it is forecast to be very hot there will be a second feed station on the run just past the 3K mark.
  • Please bring additional supplies with you.
  • The run route is tough, so please be prepared!
  • Self-service water; there will be reusable cups at the water station. 

 

Cut offs

Swim | 09:00

Bike | 11:30

Total | 13:00

  • Plastic-free event
  • Reusable cups
  • Sustainability policy

Environmental focus

Since 2019, this event has focused on reducing its carbon footprint.

With increasing recognition of the environmental challenges being faced, this event first teamed up with The Pickwell Foundation and Plastic Free North Devon in 2018 to encourage greater consideration for the environment as an event, and for the competitors taking part.

After the success of making Croyde Ocean Triathlon the first plastic free event in the UK in 2018, it has since focused on reducing the carbon footprint of the event.

Now, the event is owned by environmental charity Plastic Free North Devon and is working hard to make this event the most sustainable sports event in the UK.

Bring coffee cup

The event is going cupless so pack your reusable coffee cup!

  • Chip timing
  • Goody bag
  • Medal

Prizes

There are Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for the overall winners and in each age group category.

Relay team medals

There will be medals for the first, second and third teams in each category. 

Not Included

  • British Triathlon Compulsory race pass

    It is normal practice for athletes to be required to hold a race licence in order to take part. You'll be given clear instructions from the team on how to do this.

Event merch

Organic kit from £20 online.

merch
merch
merch

 

Enter for free

We are sharing the love and the ££.

Enter for free and raise a minimum of £350 and we share all your fundraising ££ 50/50 with Plastic Free North Devon and your favourite charity. Just select your free ticket when you enter. Any distance relay or individual. I bet you know someone who is up for this!?

  • Age 17 & over on 31 Dec 2025
  • Entries open
  • Charity places
  • Enter online

Relay

Teams of 2 or 3.

Race pack

Race packs with comprehensive information for competitors will be emailed to entrants 10 days prior to the event and put up on our website. This contains important safety information, so please ensure you read it thoroughly before arrival. Along with the online briefing, this constitutes your safety briefing for the day. Only essential additions/updates will be given if necessary on the day. 

Entry fees

Entry fee

£94.00

Team entry fee

£129.00

Early bird entry fee

£85.00

The Croyde Ocean Triathlon is an amazing event. With stunning views and beautiful coastline BUT it is tough, the swim starts way down the beach with 4-50 people waves, so the swim wasn’t too busy and you have to swim 1.5K back to the beach entry, then there is a 750m run UP A HILL, I took my wetsuit off for this and carried it. Transition was good, plenty of room. The bike was 40 tough K with a lot of climbing but it's out and back, so the way back was nice (er) ... This is the reason I came back for a second year, it's 12K of coast path, a bit of beach and a lot of stunning views, so stunning, so hard and so rewarding. All in all this event is my favourite race to date, but if you’re new to this game, maybe not this one for your first, or you may never want to see a pair of trainers again. Kit D

Other races at event

  • Sun 6 Jul 2025
  • #1 of 2
Putsborough Beach, Braunton

Sprint Distance

07:55

Age 15 & over

£65-£100

  • 750 m sea swimming
  • 18.5 km road cycling
  • 5.5 km trail running