This first race of the season sets the scene for a competitive and fun series, hosted within the beautiful grounds and surrounding area of stunning South Galway. What’s more, the race coincides with a Bank Holiday in the UK and it is also the first weekend of the UK school half term, making it an ideal break for sporty families.

The countryside surrounding Lough Cutra Castle contains evidence of a history dating back to the Irish-Celtic mythology of the Tuatha Dé Danaan.

Earn early National Series points on this stunning course setting you up for a great season ahead. Swim 1.5km in the still calm waters of Lough Cutra Castle, cycle 40k through the Burren enjoying the gentle rolling hills and the natural beauty of the infamous heritage site. Finishing with a 10k off road run around the stunning grounds of the privately owned Castle estate crossing the line to the backdrop of the striking castle.

It’s going to be a Super Saturday at this year’s Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon on May 26th as Ireland’s Cat 1 and Cat 2 top age groupers battle it out in the first event of the 2018 Super Series, the only one in the West of Ireland.

This year Triathlon Ireland has included a Standard distance (the only one of which is being held at Lough Cutra), as part of the Super Series. Now in its 4th year in Ireland, this Super Series caters for the appetite, skill and speed of the fastest athletes, racing on closed roads in a draft legal environment, chasing points. It’s the only series in the country that allows this type of triathlon racing.

ITU 2018 updates.  All Super Series athletes must be in attendance for a race briefing before each event, penalties applied for late or non attendance. There is no longer any exception to the timing penalties relating to drafting. All penalties match the ITU rules.

For a summary of all changes within the 2018 ITU rules, click here.

For the complete 2018 ITU Competition Rules click here.

Entries are open and have to be made via Triathlon Ireland, please use this button.

This race format, taking place on the afternoon of Saturday 26th May, will see four person teams; two males and two females, each completing a 250m swim, 5km bike and 1.5km run as part of a tag team.

Mixed Relay has proven extremely popular with athletes of all standards and allows regular age groupers and more advanced athletes to race together. The minimum age requirement for athletes is 15 years. There is no upper limit upper age limit or ability for those taking part.

In 2018 Lough Cutra Castle, for the fifth year running will see The Gauntlet, a middle-distance race, push competitors to their limit via stunning 1.9km swim, 96km bike ride and 21km run.

The swim only event provides the choice of three different distances: 5km 2.5km and 1mile (see price table below) and boasts a unique and stunning swim route in all the stunning castle lakes.

The swim described by many triathletes as the ‘best open water swim ever completed’ will now be open to outdoor swimmers as an event in its own right.

One mile leisure and family swim

Enjoy the beautiful setting of Lough Cutra Castle at your own pace. Swim any stroke you like (breaststroke encouraged), swim and chat with friends as you go around. Don’t worry about how long it takes (however time limit set at 90 minutes), just enjoy it. Under 16s welcome if accompanied throughout by a competent responsible adult.

Competitors undertake this stunning off road spectator friendly estate loop (1 lap for the 10K, 3 laps for the Half Marathon).  The first 3K of the circuit heads north from the castle lawns hand railing the western shore of the luminescent Lough Cutra Lake (largest privately owned lake in Europe).  Following a system of well worn tracks and paths the route passes through the ubiquitous Deer Park and then into the Carrowcarriff forestry block with its ancient pines and abundant wildlife.  At the northerly most point of the run competitors will pass a well stocked feed station before exiting the wood and hitting a narrow tarmac lane which they will follow for 800m.  A left takes competitors back onto the estate tracks and paths and after crossing a couple of well worn fields runners will emerge onto Black Drive and head south back towards the formal gardens of the estate.  With 1K of the circuit to go, track turns to tarmac at the internal estate drive, and finally runners pass through 2 iconic courtyards before arriving at the Castle forecourt with 1 lap complete! The finish takes place in front of the castle to rapturous applause, well deserved medal and the now famous finish line atmosphere and post-race treats.

Please download our new Competitor Guide tailored for the event at Lough Cutra that will help guide you through the preparation for the event.

For the sixth year running the Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon will be a Triathlon Ireland Assured Sanctioned Race.

The spectator experience at the Castle Triathlon Series has become almost as famous as the spectacular backdrops and classic courses, and has made passing time before your loved ones finish the race a thing of the past.