Preview: City of Derry Triathlon 2026
The Europe Triathlon Cup – City of Derry will see 30 Team Ireland athletes have the chance to race at an international event at home tomorrow, with many of them taking on their first international start.
International triathlon returns to the City of Derry this weekend as the City of Derry Triathlon hosts a European Triathlon Cup, bringing both elite athletes and age group triathletes to the banks of the River Foyle.
Last held in 2017, the City of Derry Triathlon returns to the Triathlon Ireland calendar with a standout day of racing, combining world-class international competition with Triathlon National Series Age-Group racing.
The event will see athletes race through the historic city, beginning with a 750m swim in the tidal River Foyle from Queen’s Quay, before taking on a technical city-centre bike course and a fast, spectator-friendly 5km riverside run, crossing the Peace Bridge and finishing at Ebrington Square.
The Elite races will provide a major opportunity for athletes to test themselves in international competition, with a competitive field lining up just weeks before the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain.
elite racing takes centre stage
Among the Team Ireland athletes in the Men’s field is Luke McCarron, who brings his international experience to his home event. He will be joined by fellow athletes including James Edgar, Senan McDonnell, Mathys Bocquet, Archie Bremner, Sean McMahon, Christopher Horgan, Ryan Lundy, David Coyle and Ross Killalea.
In the Elite Women’s Field, Team Ireland will see Saoirse O’Brien, Emma O’Brien, Elizabeth Carr, Katie Youp and Aimee Carr lining up.
huge junior representation
A huge team of 14 Junior athletes will take on the sprint distance course tomorrow, with a mixture of those who are experienced at the level, and some having their very first opportunity to race at an international event.
Jude Williamns, Evan Tosh, Sam Cooney, Darragh Reynolds, Eoin Mulkerrins, Matthew McKenna, David McClean, Pearse Gallagher, Sean Cooke and Sean Carragher will start in the Junior Men’s tomorrow morning.
The Junior Women’s field will have four Team Ireland athletes on the start line; Hannah Kennedy, Eve Burns, Aoibheann Ryan and Zoe Hughes.
A Course Built for Racing and Spectating
The City of Derry course has been designed to showcase both the city and the athletes, with the race taking competitors through the heart of the city.
The 750m tidal River Foyle swim provides a distinctive opening to the race, before athletes transition onto a technical four-loop bike course through the city centre.
The race finishes with a 5km riverside run, across the iconic Peace Bridge, finishing at Ebrington Square and providing spectators with multiple opportunities to see the action unfold.
Friday’s programme will give Elite athletes the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the bike and swim courses ahead of race day, with an athlete briefing and race pack distribution taking place on Friday evening.
Sold Out for Triathlon National Series Round 16
Alongside the international Elite racing, in the morning, the City of Derry Triathlon will also form round 16 of the 2026 Triathlon National Series making it one of the final opportunities for Age-Group athletes to score valuable Triathlon National Series points this season.
The Age-Group race has attracted a strong entry, with athletes from across the island of Ireland competing on a closed-road course that takes riders through the city and into County Donegal.
City of Derry Triathlon at a Glance
Saturday, 5th September
Morning Session
08:50 Europe Triathlon Junior Cup – City of Derry: Junior Men Start
09:00 Europe Triathlon Junior Cup – City of Derry: Junior Women Start
09:30 Triathlon National Series Swim Start
10:30 Europe Triathlon Junior Cup – Prizegiving
12:15 Triathlon National Series – Prizegiving
Afternoon Session
16:30 Europe Triathlon Cup – Elite Women Swim Start
18:30 Europe Triathlon Cup – Elite Men Swim Start
20:00 Europe Triathlon Cup – Prizegiving
Follow Along
With a huge Team Ireland representation and Triathlon National Series points on offer stay tuned to triathlonireland.com and the Triathlon Ireland social channels for the latest coverage.
Live Timing will be available from Core Timing here: https://my.raceresult.com/414706/live
