In the first of five race features (the fastest, best open-water, best trail and best multisport races to come), here we pick the best hilly triathlon events from across the globe that will leave you breathless\u2026 in a good way!<\/p>\n
Hair-raising descents\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nA turquoise lake swim flanked by jagged peaks. A bike leg through verdant valleys untouched by modernity. A skyline run where you can touch the clouds. It\u2019s strange to think that much of society used to consider mountains as pretty darn ugly up until about the 18th Century.<\/p>\n
But yes, mountains can still arouse facial pain, yet for triathletes that comes from the calf-shredding climbs and hair-raising descents<\/strong><\/a>, with the widescreen views and soothing air just two of the payoffs of taking on the demands of a mountain triathlon.<\/p>\n - Cycling: how to use hills to build a strong winter base<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Cycling up hills: when you should sit and when you should stand<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Which muscles do I use when running and cycling up hills?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Similar to their cheese-making prowess, the French excel in mountainous triathlons, with the famous trio of Ironman France<\/strong> (25 June), Embrunman<\/strong> (15 August) and, especially, the Alpe D\u2019Huez Triathlon<\/strong> (28 July) certified classics of the genre.<\/p>\nThe latter, held in late July, boasts a swim in a mountain reservoir that\u2019s open once a year, a hairpin-ridden bike course that\u2019s played a mighty role in the Tour de France, the world\u2019s highest transition area and a run that takes place at 2,000m above sea level.<\/p>\n
The best of British<\/strong><\/h2>\nSimilar to our own fromage-making skills (Cornish Yarg, anyone?), British mountain races shouldn\u2019t be discounted.<\/p>\n
While they can\u2019t compare to the Alpine metres-above-sea-level stats, the likes of the Xtri Series\u2019 gruelling long-distance triathlon of the Celtman<\/strong> (17 June) in Wester Ross, Scotland; the long-standing classic of Helvellyn<\/strong> (3 September) in the Lake District; Snowdonia\u2019s Olympic-distance-ish belter The Slateman<\/strong> (10-11 June); and its fellow Llanberis-set The Brutal<\/strong> (9 September), all load up on the elevation gain, widescreen views and tri torment.<\/p>\nThe Brutal<\/strong>, which had a glorious return in 2022 after pandemic-enforced cancellations and which we voted the\u00a0second toughest tri in the world<\/strong><\/a>, tasks triathletes with running up Wales\u2019 highest peak of Snowdon \u2013 and, almost as painfully, back down again \u2013 at the finale of the run leg for the Half and Full distance events (a Double Brutal is also on offer \u2013 we\u2019ll let you take that one on!), where both the views and physical demands will leave you gasping for air.<\/p>\nBut the satisfaction of completing a mountainous triathlon is possibly without equal in multisport. Just remember to cut your toe nails\u2026<\/p>\n
3 of the best mountain triathlons<\/strong><\/h2>\nAlpe d\u2019Huez Triathlon, 28 July 2023![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Cyclists ascend one of the 21 hairpin bends during the bike leg of the Alpe d\u2019Huez Triathlon. (Credit: Cyrille Quintard)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nHelvellyn Triathlon, 3 September 2023![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> After a crystal-clear Ullswater swim, it\u2019s a 1,489ft ascent to the top of the Kirkstone Pass before a final 3,118ft run up and down Hellvellyn, England\u2019s second-highest peak. (Credit: CSansomPhoto)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThe Brutal, 9 September 2023![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> The Full Brutal plunges its athletes into the chilly Lake Padarn for 3.8km before subjecting them to over 3,000m of climbing on the 180km Snowdonian bike leg. 1,394m of climbing on the marathon run completes this epic task. (Credit: That Sport Photo)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n - Hilly Ironmans: how should you pace the run?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Five ways to get better at hilly runs<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- How hill running improves your fitness, strength and endurance<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Top image credit:<\/strong> Jason Newsome\/Helvellyn Triathlon<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Matt Baird Published: Tuesday, 03 January 2023 at 12:00 am It\u2019s here, a new year and that means\u2026 a new race season! And the UK and global triathlon calendar is\u00a0chock full of epic challenges to suit all budgets, skill levels and strengths.\u00a0 In the first of five race features (the fastest, best open-water, best […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":20339,"template":"","categories":[1,23],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year.jpg",1500,1000,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year.jpg",1500,1000,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year.jpg",1500,1000,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Matt Baird Published: Tuesday, 03 January 2023 at 12:00 am It\u2019s here, a new year and that means\u2026 a new race season! And the UK and global triathlon calendar is\u00a0chock full of epic challenges to suit all budgets, skill levels and strengths.\u00a0 In the first of five race features (the fastest, best open-water, best…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/20338"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Cycling: how to use hills to build a strong winter base<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Cycling up hills: when you should sit and when you should stand<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Which muscles do I use when running and cycling up hills?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Similar to their cheese-making prowess, the French excel in mountainous triathlons, with the famous trio of Ironman France<\/strong> (25 June), Embrunman<\/strong> (15 August) and, especially, the Alpe D\u2019Huez Triathlon<\/strong> (28 July) certified classics of the genre.<\/p>\n
The latter, held in late July, boasts a swim in a mountain reservoir that\u2019s open once a year, a hairpin-ridden bike course that\u2019s played a mighty role in the Tour de France, the world\u2019s highest transition area and a run that takes place at 2,000m above sea level.<\/p>\n
The best of British<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Similar to our own fromage-making skills (Cornish Yarg, anyone?), British mountain races shouldn\u2019t be discounted.<\/p>\n
While they can\u2019t compare to the Alpine metres-above-sea-level stats, the likes of the Xtri Series\u2019 gruelling long-distance triathlon of the Celtman<\/strong> (17 June) in Wester Ross, Scotland; the long-standing classic of Helvellyn<\/strong> (3 September) in the Lake District; Snowdonia\u2019s Olympic-distance-ish belter The Slateman<\/strong> (10-11 June); and its fellow Llanberis-set The Brutal<\/strong> (9 September), all load up on the elevation gain, widescreen views and tri torment.<\/p>\n
The Brutal<\/strong>, which had a glorious return in 2022 after pandemic-enforced cancellations and which we voted the\u00a0second toughest tri in the world<\/strong><\/a>, tasks triathletes with running up Wales\u2019 highest peak of Snowdon \u2013 and, almost as painfully, back down again \u2013 at the finale of the run leg for the Half and Full distance events (a Double Brutal is also on offer \u2013 we\u2019ll let you take that one on!), where both the views and physical demands will leave you gasping for air.<\/p>\n
But the satisfaction of completing a mountainous triathlon is possibly without equal in multisport. Just remember to cut your toe nails\u2026<\/p>\n
3 of the best mountain triathlons<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Alpe d\u2019Huez Triathlon, 28 July 2023
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Cyclists ascend one of the 21 hairpin bends during the bike leg of the Alpe d\u2019Huez Triathlon. (Credit: Cyrille Quintard)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Helvellyn Triathlon, 3 September 2023
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>After a crystal-clear Ullswater swim, it\u2019s a 1,489ft ascent to the top of the Kirkstone Pass before a final 3,118ft run up and down Hellvellyn, England\u2019s second-highest peak. (Credit: CSansomPhoto)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n The Brutal, 9 September 2023
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>The Full Brutal plunges its athletes into the chilly Lake Padarn for 3.8km before subjecting them to over 3,000m of climbing on the 180km Snowdonian bike leg. 1,394m of climbing on the marathon run completes this epic task. (Credit: That Sport Photo)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n - Hilly Ironmans: how should you pace the run?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Five ways to get better at hilly runs<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- How hill running improves your fitness, strength and endurance<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Top image credit:<\/strong> Jason Newsome\/Helvellyn Triathlon<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Matt Baird Published: Tuesday, 03 January 2023 at 12:00 am It\u2019s here, a new year and that means\u2026 a new race season! And the UK and global triathlon calendar is\u00a0chock full of epic challenges to suit all budgets, skill levels and strengths.\u00a0 In the first of five race features (the fastest, best open-water, best […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":20339,"template":"","categories":[1,23],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year.jpg",1500,1000,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year.jpg",1500,1000,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/01\/the-best-mountain-triathlon-races-to-do-this-year.jpg",1500,1000,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Matt Baird Published: Tuesday, 03 January 2023 at 12:00 am It\u2019s here, a new year and that means\u2026 a new race season! And the UK and global triathlon calendar is\u00a0chock full of epic challenges to suit all budgets, skill levels and strengths.\u00a0 In the first of five race features (the fastest, best open-water, best…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/20338"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Five ways to get better at hilly runs<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Cycling up hills: when you should sit and when you should stand<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/12\/alpe-dhuez-triathlon-3b82d42.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/12\/helvellyn-triCsansomPhoto-cc76eac.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/12\/the-brutal-1e8bff1.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>