2026 Youth Series
supported by aig insurance
The series is back for 2026, bringing ten thrilling rounds of racing around the country for triathletes aged 11 – 17 years old.
The new season will see participants test themselves against their peers on land and water in a fun, competitive environment.
about the Youth Series – Supported by AIG
The Youth Series – supported by AIG has grown hugely since it began, with ten races for young athletes to participate in this year. This growth has helped more young athletes across the country get involved in multisport, build confidence and enjoy the sport in a fun and supportive environment.
To make sure the series continues to be fair, enjoyable and development focused Triathlon Ireland’s Events, Development and High Performance Teams review the series each year. These updates ensure that the series aligns with international best practice and continues to offer a positive, high quality experience for young athletes at every stage of their journey.
- 15/2/26 Tramore Duathlon | Waterford
- 26/04/26 Junior Flat Out Duathlon | Kildare (NPPSC)
- 10/05/26 Camida Clonmel Aquathlon | Tipperary
- 06/06/26 Centra Fastnet Aquathlon | Cork
- 04/07/26 Moby Dick Triathlon | Cork
- 12/07/26 Skerries Triathlon | Dublin
- 02/08/26 Loughrea Triathlon Festival | Galway (YNC)
- 15/08/26 FatLad Carrick | Antrim
- 05/09/26 Derry City Triathlon | Derry
- 26/09/26 Pulse Port Beach Triathlon | Louth
*NPPSC = National Post Primary School Championships
*YNC = Youth National Championship
SERIES format
Age Groups
- 11 – 12 years
- 13 – 14 years
- 15 – 16
- 17 years
Athletes compete in the age group they fall into at the end of the calendar year.
RACE DISTANCES
Each age group has set race distances designed to be safe, fair and appropriate foe their stage of development. This helps ensure consistency across events while supporting long term athlete growth.
- Distances are standardised for each category.
- A 10% adjustment may be made where venue or safety considerations require it.
Youth Event Distances
A full table of distances for Triathlon, Duathlon, and Aquathlon events is provided below, outlining:
- Event name
- Age range
- Swim, bike and run distances (or run-swim/run) where applicable.
These distances are carefully chosen to challenge athletes while keeping focus on enjoyment, skill development and participation.
Name: | Age range (at end of year): | Distances |
Tri FUN | 8 years old | 50m swim / 2km cycle / 400m run |
Tri Heroes A | 9 – 10 years old | 100m swim / 4km cycle / 1000m run |
Tri Heroes B | 11 – 12 years old | 200m swim / 6km cycle / 1500m run |
Tri Heroes C | 13 – 14 years old | 300m swim / 8km cycle / 2000m run |
Youth | 15 – 16 years old | (Super sprint) 400m swim / 10km cycle / 2500m run |
Youth Development | 17 years old | Super sprint (NS) and Sprint (NC) |
Junior | 18 – 19 years old | (Sprint) 750m swim / 20km cycle / 5km run |
Name: | Age range (at end of year): | Distances: |
Tri FUN | 8 years old | 400m run / 2km cycle / 200m run |
Tri Heroes A | 9 – 10 years old | 1000m run / 4km cycle / 500m run |
Tri Heroes B | 11 – 12 years old | 1500m run / 6km cycle / 800m run |
Tri Heroes C | 13 – 14 years old | 2000m run / 8km cycle / 1000m run |
Youth | 15 – 16 years old | 2.5km run / 10km cycle / 1200m run |
Youth Development | 17 years old | Super sprint and Sprint |
Junior | 18 – 19 years old | 5km run / 20km cycle / 2.5km run |
Name: | Age range (at end of year): | Distances: |
Tri FUN | 8 years old | 50m swim / 400m run |
Tri Heroes A | 9 – 10 years old | 100m swim / 1000m run |
Tri Heroes B | 11 – 12 years old | 200m swim / 1500m run |
Tri Heroes C | 13 – 14 years old | 300m swim / 2000m run |
Youth | 15 – 16 years old | (Super sprint) 400m swim / 3000m run |
Youth Development | 17 years old | Super sprint and Sprint |
Junior | 18 – 19 years old | (Sprint) 750m swim / 5km run |
REGISTRATION AND RANKING
- Alignment with Global Standards: The updated age groups and distances match those recognised by World Triathlon and other National Federations.
- Athlete Development: Adjusting race categories and distances supports athletes’ progression through age-appropriate challenges, ensuring a smoother transition to higher competition levels.
- Inclusivity and Safety: Standardised race formats across locations and age groups will ensure fair and safe competition.
Registration:
- Tri Hero’s B Youth Series 1 – 11-12 years
- Tri Hero’s C Youth Series 2 – 13-14 years
- Youth & Youth Development Youth Series 3 – 15-16 and 17 years
Ranking:
- Tri Hero’s B Youth Series – 11-12 years
- Tri Hero’s C Youth Series – 13-14 years
- Youth – 15-16 years
- Youth Development – 17 years
How To Get started
Getting involved in Youth Events is easy! Just follow these simple steps:
1. Become a member – To take part in Youth events athletes must have a valid kids, Youth or Junior Membership with Triathlon Ireland.
- Membership provides insurance cover
- Allows athletes to earn series points
- Ensures eligibility for titles and medals.
Join or renew your membership here
2. Find a Race
Once membership is in place, you can choose an event from the Youth Event Calendar.
- Events take place across the island of Ireland.
- Athletes can compete in Duathlon, Triathlon or Aquathlon.
- You only need to complete three events to qualify for the series standings.
Find a Youth Event here
Youth Series scoring & titles
All events are run in line with Triathlon Ireland Competition and Technical Rules ensuring a safe, fair and enjoyable experience for every athlete.
All series races are run in accordance with the Triathlon Ireland Competition and Technical Rules. Taking in Ireland’s best triathlons, duathlons and aquathlons for 11 – 17 year olds. athletes get to test themselves against their peers to see who will take home the Series titles.
To qualify for a final score in the series, an athlete must complete any three events. Scoring is based on the athletes highest accumulated points.
Titles and medals can only be won by individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, as detailed below.
- You must be a valid Membership holder prior to the completion of the final series event (Kids Membership/Youth Membership/Junior Membership)
YOUTH SERIES POINTS SYSTEM
The series points are calculated based on a reduction by 7.5% for the first 20 finishers and by 4% thereafter. Winners receive 700 points, Points reduced by 7.5% for the first 20 finishers and by 4% thereafter. Males and Females are ranked separately with overall and age group rankings displayed.
The Youth National Championship race points are calculated based on a reduction by 7.5% for the first 20 finishers and by 4% thereafter. Winners receive 1000 points. Points reduced by 7.5% for the first 20 finishers and by 4% thereafter. Males and Females are ranked separately with overall and age group rankings displayed.
To qualify for the series athletes must complete three events. Scoring is based on the highest accumulated points across an athlete’s best three (3) events across the series.
Prizes
Triathlon Ireland awards series prizes at the end of the season for the first three overall winners in each age category for both male and female.
Prizes on race day are provided at the discretion of the race organisers.
Rules
The Competition Rules govern competitor conduct and outline equipment specifications for use during races. All athletes participating in events sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland must familiarise themselves with these rules to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties.
It is the competitors responsibility, or parent/guardian if the athlete is under 18, to know the rules by which Triathlon Ireland Youth Series events are governed, both in relation to the competition rules by which competitors must abide by, but also eligibility rules.