Horwich Triathlon is known as ‘The Race To The Pike’ and the ‘Kona of the North” and is one of the oldest triathlon events in the North West, dating back over 25 years.
The Standard Distance race starts with a 500m pool swim and then a 40k undulating cycle ride, but we save the best bit until the end – the 8.6k run climbs all the way to the summit of Rivington Pike, before descending back to the finish at Horwich Leisure Centre.
The Sprint Distance race starts with a 400m pool swim followed by a 20k undulating bike route. The final 5k run follows the Standard Distance route but we Sprint Distance triathletes are saved from the pain of “summitting” Rivington Pike and will turn around a little earlier to complete the final sprint downhill back to the finish at Horwich Leisure Centre.
Horwich Triathlon will continue to include a Sprint (5k/20k/5k) and Standard (8.6k/39k/5k) Duathlon and Sprint (400m/5k) and Standard (500m/8.6k) Aquathlon option
NEW FOR 2026 – AQUABIKE Sprint (Swim 400m/Bike 21k) and AQUABIKE Standard (Swim 500m/Bike 40k) and the Half Pike (5k) or Full Pike (8.6k) Trail Runs up to Rivington Pike – see below for details and to ENTER!
All ability levels of triathlete take part from complete novices to experienced pro’s but it’s definitely not for the faint hearted. The route is a tough challenge but that’s what makes the event so popular and whilst the run is brutal, it’s also what makes it iconic.
Address
Horwich Leisure Centre,
Victoria Road,
Horwich,
Bolton,
BL6 5PY
Date & Time
Sunday 3rd May 2026, from 07:30hrs onwards
Entry Fee
Triathlon Sprint/Standard Distance Solo Entry = £59/£69
Triathlon Sprint/Standard Distance Relay Team Entry = £89/£99 (per team)
Duathlon Sprint/Standard Distance Solo Entry = £59/£69
Duathlon Sprint/Standard Distance Relay Team Entry = £89/£99 (per team)
Aquathlon Sprint/Standard Distance Solo Entry = £39/£49
Aquathlon Sprint/Standard Distance Relay Team Entry = £69/£79 (per team)
Aquabike Sprint/Standard Distance Solo Entry = £49/£59
Aquabike Sprint/Standard Distance Relay Team Entry = £79/£89 (per team)
Full Pike 8.6k Trail Run = £25
Half Pike 5k Trail Run = £20
Entries will close either at 12 noon on the Thursday prior to the event or when the event fills, whichever occurs first.
British Triathlon Membership/Race Pass
Participants are required to be a British Triathlon member or to have purchased a British Triathlon Race Pass to take part in the event. Participants must hold either a British Triathlon ‘Core’ or ‘Ultimate’ membership AVAILABLE HERE or purchase a single use Race Pass for Horwich Triathlon from British Triathlon HERE.
Included with a Horwich Triathlon entry is:
Bespoke Finisher’s Medal
Epic Events Swim Cap (Triathlon / Aquathlon / Aquabike)
Event photographs free to download
Who else is entered?
Please see the Participant List – CLICK HERE
Where can I find out more about the course and the event?
To read more about the event and what to expect on the day, read the Event Guidance Notes CLICK HERE
Swim Start & Briefing Times?
Swim times can be viewed via the links below:
To view Swim Start & Briefing Times CLICK HERE (PDF by surname)
To view Swim Start & Briefing Times CLICK HERE (MS Excel by surname & start time)
Duathlon and Trail Runs Start Time: 0830hrs (Start Time for all entrants) at the Start/Finish Area on Church Street with a mandatory briefing prior to this.
To view the Routes on Strava see links or the interactive maps below:
To view the Standard Distance Cycle Route CLICK HERE
To view the Standard Distance and Full Pike Run Route CLICK HERE
To view the Sprint Distance Cycle Route CLICK HERE
To view the Sprint Distance and Half Pike Run Route CLICK HERE
