FAQ’s

Just three things: swimwear for the pool, any roadworthy bike (road, hybrid or mountain bike are all fine) for the ride, and trainers for the run. You’ll also receive a Race Pack by email about a week before race day with everything else you need to know.

Head to our Race Information page for the full breakdown of registration, transitions, the swim, bike and run courses, and results. All competitors also receive a Race Pack by email about a week before race day.

Sign up to our newsletter (at the bottom of any page) for entry openings, race news and updates. All competitors also receive a Race Pack email about a week before race day.

Ideally the same kit for swim, bike and run — a tri-suit or swimwear with layers over the top. Practise in whatever you decide to wear. No new kit on race day!

Absolutely. The swim is in the 25m indoor pool at Kings of Cheddar — no open water, no wetsuit needed. You’ll be grouped with swimmers of similar ability in waves of 4 competitors per lane, and lifeguards watch every length. Front strokes only — no backstroke or butterfly — but front crawl, breaststroke and doggy paddle are all fine, and you can rest at the wall if you need to.

This applies to the Sprint course only. At the marshalled right-hand turn on the bike route, every Sprint rider must come to a complete stop and put a foot down before rejoining the road — it keeps the junction safe for riders and traffic, and marshals watch the turn all morning. The Super Sprint route uses left-hand turns only, so there’s no stop required — perfect if you’re racing your first triathlon.

Yes — any roadworthy bike is fine as long as it passes the safety check: working brakes, bar-end plugs, and nothing loose. Plenty of first-timers ride mountain bikes or hybrids. A helmet is mandatory and must be done up before you touch your bike in transition.

You’ll register the day before, on Saturday 15th May, 2pm–5pm at Kings of Cheddar. On race morning, bike racking opens at 6:15 and closes 7:55am. Both the Sprint and Super Sprint get underway from 8:00am, but your own start time depends on your swim wave — check your Swim Start Times download in advance so you know exactly when you’re off. Aim to arrive with plenty of time to rack your bike and walk the transition area without rushing.

Only in an emergency, and only by prior arrangement with the race organiser — you MUST contact them well in advance to arrange this. There’s no walk-up registration on Sunday, so please register on Saturday if you possibly can.

Not at Kings of Cheddar itself — parking is strictly not permitted there. Free parking is available next door at the industrial park, kindly provided by local businesses, so please use it considerately. Marshals will be on hand on race morning to direct you — please follow their instructions.

Yes — but only up to 14 days before the event. Email hello@tricheddar.co.uk and we’ll usually get back to you within 72 hours, often sooner. After that cut-off, no changes can be made, no exceptions. If you don’t give us a swim time, you’ll be placed in a wave that’s either too slow or too fast for you — you have been warned.

You must be 18 years old on race day to enter Tri Cheddar.

Email hello@tricheddar.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Please bear with us as race day gets closer — that’s when we’re busiest, and replies slow down. Email within 48 hours of the event and you’ll likely not hear back before race day. Sorry!

No — entries are non-refundable and non-transferable, no exceptions. This applies to injuries, missed bookings, scheduling conflicts and inadequate training alike. Entries also can’t be deferred to a future year, so please make sure you’re ready to commit before you enter.