Welcome back Triathlon. It’s been awhile.

British Triathlon have refined and adapted the three elements of swimming, cycling and running to allow event organisers in England to apply to British Triathlon for a permit  from Monday 13 July, with permitted events being able to take place from Saturday 25 July 2020.  

Paying close attention to Covid-19 government guideline British Triathlon has created detailed event permitting requirements to guide organisers and facilities in running organised activity with social distancing and hygiene measures in place. Event organisers need to demonstrate their application of these additional requirements as part of the permitting process to be issued with a permit. All other forms of group activity can resume from 18 July under Cover-19 secure guidelines meaning club activity that complies with the relevant government instructions is permissible.

Andy Salmon, Chief Executive of British Triathlon said: “I am delighted that we are able to resume swim, bike, run activity in England over the coming weeks and look forward to supporting clubs and event organisers to deliver safe and exciting events. We hope to see a similar relaxation of restrictions in Scotland and Wales in the near future”

There will be some common themes that will apply to all events run under British Triathlon Covid-19 requirements. This means that whatever swim, bike, run format you take part in, you will do so in an individual, draft illegal/non-drafting time trial format so that you maintain a socially distanced ‘group of one’ at all times. It is anticipated that this will be the format until such time as there is no government requirement for social distancing. Additionally, for the first six weeks after public indoor pools are open, all events that have a swim segment will be non-competitive with no placings/prizes to protect participant welfare by ensuring that all people have uninterrupted access to training in all three disciplines.

Therefore, whilst taking part in any event you will need to maintain the following minimum distances between yourself and other participants:

• Swim: 2 metres
• Bike: 10 metres (standard distance or shorter) 12 metres (middle or long distance)
• Run: 2  metres

Overtaking is permitted but social distancing of at least 2 metres is expected to be maintained whilst doing so.  
Championships and Age Group Qualifiers

• There will be no British, English, Scottish or Welsh Championship races in 2020. Where possible, the championship status associated with a 2020 event will be transferred to that event in 2021.
• There will be no Age Group Qualification races in 2020. Where possible, the Qualifier status associated with a 2020 event will be transferred to that event in 2021.

BTF and the Home Nations are working with UK Sport and the respective Home Nation Sport’s Councils are working closely with elite athletes and training centres to provide a safe environment for training according to the restrictions within each Home Nation. The BTF also continues to liaise with ITU and ETU regarding the international race calendar and to represent the best interests of GB Age Group Athletes.

Comprehensive guidance is available on the British Triathlon website for clubs and coaches here.