The 2026 Kilkenny River Court Hotel Triathlon will take place in Kilkenny Castle on Sunday 26 July.

Click here to register for the 2026 Triathlon
2026 KTC Triathlon Race Brief – click here to view the document

Event times:

  • 7.30am – 9.00am – Registration open. Registrations closes at 9am sharp!
  • 7.30am – 9.15am – Transition open
  • 9.50am – Try-a-Tri start
  • 10:10am – Sprint start

Race Details

  • Membership:
    • If you are NOT a Triathlon Ireland member, you will require a ONE DAY MEMBERSHIP (prices vary)
    • The one day membership (ODM) fees apply to all participants who are NOT current Triathlon Ireland annual members.
  • Insurance Cover: Third party and personal accident cover while racing in a sanctioned event through Triathlon Ireland.
  • Age Restriction: Competitors must be aged 18+ on race day
  • Closing date for Triathlon registration is Fri 24 July 2026, unless sold out prior.

Race Options

  • Individual or relay
  • Try-a-Tri distances: 250m Swim, 20km Bike, 5km Run
  • Sprint distances: 750m Swim, 20km Bike, 5km Run
Pricing
  • RELAY entry (Try-a-Tri or Sprint) = €90
  • INDIVIDUAL entry (Try-a-Tri) = €50
  • INDIVIDUAL entry (Sprint Triathlon) = €60

Race Routes

Swim (250m Try-a-Tri OR 750 Sprint)
  • Both distances (Try-A-Tri & Sprint) options start from John’s Bridge and exit at the boat slip by the Castle Park.
  • The Try-a-tri swim is 250m downstream.
  • The Sprint swim is 250m upstream, turn at the buoy and 500m downstream to the swim exit at the boat slip 
Bike (20km)
  • The cycle route starts at the Castle Park.
  • Competitors follow the Nuncio Road and turn onto the Waterford Road.
  • There is a turn at the The Harvester Pub, which brings the competitors across to the Bennettsbridge Road.
  • Competitors will take the Bennettsbridge Road back into Kilkenny and continue back to the Castle Park.
  • Please beware that these roads are not closed, so standard road rules apply.
Run (5km)
  • The run begins by running past the Castle Graveyard, then right to meet the Castle path
  • Exit at the Castle Gate, turn left and follow the Canal Walk towards St John’s Bridge
  • Turn around just before the Hurling Statue and follow the same path back towards the park
  • Follow the Canal Walk to pass under the Kilkenny Ring Road (Ossory Bridge) and turn around shortly after
  • Return along Canal Walk, turn left at the slip road and left onto Bennettsbridge Road.
  • Follow this back to the Castle Park, through the back of transition area and onto the finish line, located near the playground.