Home > News

Ironman adds new full-distance race in Leeds

Second full-distance race added to UK calendar for next year

British triathletes travel more than any other nation for races around the world, but after Ironman UK was canceled in favour of a 70.3 race this year, they’ll have yet another chance to stay closer to home for a full-distance race. Announced earlier today, Ironman Leeds will be held on July 27, 2025, with general registration opening on Sept. 26, 2024.

“Leeds, located in the north of England, in the county of Yorkshire, is one of the UK’s biggest cities, with a large student population thanks to its five universities,” Ironman announced in a press release earlier today. “The vibrant and lively city is best known for its luxury shopping, thriving nightlife, award winning theatres, renowned museums.”

Leeds is no stranger to elite triathlon – it’s the home of The Brownlee Centre, “the UK’s first purpose-build triathlon training centre” and also is the home of the Leeds Triathlon Centre.

The appetite for racing amongst UK athletes is higher than ever with a record number of UK athletes participating at Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races across Europe in 2024 – second only to the United States globally – and all Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events in the UK sold out in 2024, including the Ironman Wales, Ironman 70.3 Swansea, Ironman 70.3 Bolton and Ironman 70.3 Weymouth triathlons,” today’s release continued.

Leeds Town Hall. Photo: Carl Milner Photography for Visit Leeds

The race starts with a 3.8-km swim at Roundhay Park, just five km from Leeds City Centre, the same venue used for the World Triathlon Championship Series Leeds. The 180-km bike heads to Yorkshire Dales National Park, following the same route used for the Tour de France Grand Depart and climbing about 2,500 m along the way. The 42.2-km run takes place around Roundhay Park.

“Our UK event calendar is now fully baked,” said Sam Brawn, regional director of UK, Ireland and Africa for the Ironman Group. “We’ll kick off with the Ironman 70.3 Bolton triathlon on 8 June 2025, the perfect preparation race for the Ironman Leeds event. The Ironman  70.3 Swansea triathlon will follow on 13 July 2025, with the inaugural Ironman Leeds triathlon taking place two weeks after on 27 July. The Ironman 70.3 Weymouth triathlon taking place on 14 September and the Ironman Wales race scheduled for 21 September.”