Announcing the BMW Triathlon National Series 2021
It’s back! After an absence of almost two years, Ireland’s largest endurance competition – the BMW Triathlon National Series – will resume later this month.
Triathletes from 18 to 85 will get the chance to test themselves against their peers over 17 events – spread right around the island of Ireland between July 31st and September 26th.
Beginning with the Middle Distance National Champs at TriTyrone on July 31st, the series has a race almost every weekend of the summer across sprint, standard and middle distance.
COVID-19 Measures
With COVID-19 still with us, lots of work has gone on behind the scenes to make sure everyone can enjoy their race safely, and that every event is staged in compliance with government guidelines.
Events will implement a system of socially distanced waves for participants, who will begin their race with a rolling start. In the Republic of Ireland, each wave will contain an absolute maximum of 200 people including marshals and other personnel.
What this means in practice is that race places will be more limited than in previous years – however if the restrictions on mass participation sporting events like triathlon are eased, many races in the series will release additional spots. Read more about race measures for the Republic of Ireland in our guidance document.
In Northern Ireland, the same social distancing measures will apply but races are allowed a maximum 500 participants.
Three Races to Complete the Series
Because opportunities to race are a little more limited in 2021, we’ve changed the series qualifying criteria – to get a final ranking in the Series, an athlete will need to race three events – one sprint, one standard and one of your own choice.
Awards
At the end of the season, medals will be issued to the top three female and male athletes in each Age Group and of course, an overall BMW Triathlon National Series podium will be celebrated.
Previous winners of the National Series include a who’s who of top triathletes (and even one upcoming Olympian!)
BMW National Series / Premier League Champions
| Year | Male | Female |
| 2019 | Aaron Doherty | Hilary Hughes |
| 2018 | Donnacha Kiely | Becky Woods |
| 2017 | James Hoare | Maeve Maher McWilliams |
| 2016 | Tom McEnery | Lizanne Barnwall |
| 2015 | Aaron O’Brien | Joanne Flanagan |
| 2014 | Tomasz Gagola | Carolyn Hayes |
| 2013 | Kevin Thornton | Anna Grealish |
| 2012 | Trevor Woods | Marie Boland |
| 2011 | Bjorn Luddick | Jennifer Duffy |
| 2010 | Conor Murphy | Elena Maslova |
| 2009 | Bryan McCrystal | Elena Maslova |
| 2008 | Art MacManus | Elena Maslova |
| 2007 | Brian Campbell | Elena Maslova |
| 2006 | Brian Campbell | Trudy Brown |
| 2005 | Brian Crinion | Tara Nolan |
| 2004 | Trevor Woods | Anna Frankland |
| 2003 | Trevor Woods | Trudy Brown |
| 2002 | Brian Campbell | Trudy Brown |
