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London Triathlon: course, pace table and race guide

The London Triathlon is one of the largest triathlons in the world, based at ExCeL London in the Docklands.

Sprint to Olympic
Distance
Royal Victoria Dock, London
Where
Summer
Usual time of year
Dock swim, closed roads
Surface
Dates, entry and prices are set by the event's organiser and change every year, so we do not list them. Events also move date, change hands and occasionally take a year off, so confirm on the organiser's official website that this year's event is going ahead before you build your training around it, and enter only through the organiser or its named entry partner.

The swim is in Royal Victoria Dock, the bike course runs on closed roads towards central London and back, and the run follows the dockside. Transition is inside the exhibition halls.

Distances range from super sprint to Olympic, with relays as well, and thousands of competitors take part over the weekend. It is flat and fast, and the indoor transition makes it straightforward for a first race.

Training for it

A triathlon asks you to train for three sports and the changeovers between them. Most first-timers do best with two sessions a week in each discipline and one "brick" session, a bike ride followed straight away by a short run. Our triathlon guide covers distances, transitions and the kit you need.

In the final week, cut your training right back (see tapering) and work through the race day checklist the night before.

On the day

  • Arrive early. Allow an hour before the start for parking or public transport, baggage, toilets and finding your start pen.
  • Wear your number on your front and do not fold or cover it. If your timing tag is on the back of the number, bending it can stop it reading. See how chip timing works.
  • Start where your pace belongs. Your chip time only begins when you cross the start line, so there is nothing to gain by pushing to the front.
  • Nothing new on race day. Wear shoes and kit you have trained in and eat a breakfast you have tested before a long run.

Staying nearby

Rooms close to the start go early on race weekends, especially for the larger events. Book as soon as your entry is confirmed and check the cancellation terms.

Search hotels in ExCeL London on Booking.com

Finding results

Results are published by the organiser or its timing company, usually on the day of the race. To make sense of a results table, see how to read race results. If you are looking for a time from a past year, how to find old race results lists the places worth checking. This site does not publish individual results.

More triathlons

See every event, A to Z