There’s a great looking one called Gorillaman. I just want to do it for the little gorilla momento. I think they have an oly. Maybe one day.
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€200 & an 08:30 start 
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And probably a bottle of wine in the goody bag. The French do triathlons properly 
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Right, I’ve entered The Lakesman! I really need something to train for and it looks fun in a beautiful part of the world.
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It’s a lovely spot. How busy are the roads in June? I guess it’s pre-summer hols.
I’m hoping to do IM Wales in 2026, will be my first full distance. I have done 2 half distances many years ago (2010) with very few tri’s between times. I’ve done a couple of sprints this year and gradually building up my training. I think with my current level fitness I’d finish a half distance race ok, so got a fair way to go yet.
In June and August 2026 I’m looking at doing a couple of half distance races, are there any that anyone recommends? I’d be more inclined to do mire challenging ones (elevation etc) than a flat easy one. Slateman and Lakesman half are both in June, any preference? Slateman looks a fair bit more difficult, only thing that puts me off is everyone seem a to mention the cold swim. And in August, Snowman (?) interests me are there any other August half distances tris? I’m based near Sheffield and would prefer ones closer than miles away.
Thanks in advance.
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Have a look on this thread for an idea of half and full distance races next year.
2026 Half & Full UK Ironman events - Events - TriTalk.co.uk
I liked the slateman standard when I did it 8 years ago but the water can be chilly. Plenty of other options but the Outlaw half isn’t far from you.
Obviously the likes of Bolton which is a tough course but not cheap either. For Wales you really need long hilly rides
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Thanks, I’ll have another look over them, I wasn’t sure if there were more low-key races that might not be listed. I think I might just have to brave the cold water of Slateman, as it looks the most appealing.
Re Wales bike, I’m gradually building up my distance, there are plenty of hills not far from where I live. I try to aim for about 20metres/km average on elevation to distance. Eg my ride at the weekend was 82km with 1600m, hopefully as I add a lot more distance to that over the next 12 months, it will get me through.
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Epicman end of June might fit for you.
Warmer swim in Ullswater, slightly hilly (more than Lakesman) around 1000m elevation over 90km, only £100 and put on by a good group.
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for me the bike course was a tad disappointing all the lovely routes in the lakes & most of it on dual carriage way ,same with the run .( just me being picky)
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If you are near Wales, then there is Swansea 70.3, or more low key with hills:
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Regardless of races I would say ride hills, hills and more hills as it is a hilly course. Also book your accomodation as soon as you can as a lot gets booked up a year in advance.
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If you’re doing 1600m over 82km you’re well over what you’ll get in Wales. And they’ll be similar types of climbs from what I’ve done in South Yorkshire. Short and sharp.
The run is also up and down.
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Thank you for everyone’s input. I’ll have a close look at Epicman and Titan as they sound suitable.
Luckily hills aren’t hard to come by in Derbyshire/South Yorkshire, and I do try to pick the hilliest routes I can find, it tends to improve my fitness the quickest.
I’ve got a sportive/bike ride in a few weeks that my friend ‘recommended’ as it starts just outside his house. It has 2000-2100m in 85km, I think will be a tad challenging.
Re accommodation, I have looked already, but reluctant to commit until the date is confirmed, as it’s not free cancellation (wanting somewhere larger, as my wife, child and my parents will want to/be forced to come with me).
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Is this similar to the old Day in the Lakes? I did that in 2010 and really enjoyed it, with TriHard I think the company was, but looks like they aren’t running that any more.
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I did it that year, it was my first tri in the UK. A few from here did it as well.
Yes, I met you before & after it, I remember us cheering you across the line, as there was a football or rugby match on or something the same day that you may have wanted to watch? I was 21 at the time, had given someone a lift there and shared hotel with - I want to say his username was Fuzzy Dunlop or something. It was a good event that year (my friend did it in 2011 or 2012 and said it was a washout of a run)
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There was a fuzzy dunlop but not sure I remember him. I did that race a few times but not sure if 2010 was one. Trihard passed Helvellyn to the Brownlee’s after Rob retired and a lot of the other races came and went over the years, Stokesley duathlon was always popular.
I think the Epicman shares some places but pretty sure the run is mostly different.
Bloody hell, I’m embarrassed now because I don’t remember you, sorry mate! 
I think the fastest finishers would have seen the match. I think it was the WC and Eng were in a quarter final? I remember hearing the result whilst packing up. I stayed at the Pooley Bridge Hotel and brought some beers up for the gang that were camping.
I remember meeting Carlito, La Marquisse and her partner (whose name I’ve forgotten) and a couple of others. I do remember Poet’s name came up in conversation 
It was very sad in 2010 becuase a young lad had drowned the day before. It was in another part of the lake but the swim was looking like being cancelled at one stage.