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sport · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · TBD 
Athlone Tri-Club Aquathlon
At Athlone River/Water Venue · Athlone, Co. Westmeath
At Athlone River/Water Venue · Athlone, Co. Westmeath
An aquathlon strips triathlon back to its two most dramatic disciplines - a swim in open water followed immediately by a run - and Athlone Triathlon Club’s sprint event on the River Shannon is one of the better settings in the midlands for it. The race is short enough to suit first-timers and quick enough to reward the experienced. If you’ve been eyeing up triathlon but aren’t yet ready to add cycling into the mix, or you simply want a fast race day with a genuine sense of place, this is a good one to target.
The standard sprint aquathlon format used by the club pairs an open-water swim in the River Shannon with a 5km run through Athlone town. Athletes exit the water at Athlone Boat Club and run a course that takes in the Golden Mile, Talbot Avenue and Iona Park before finishing near the pedestrian bridge in the centre of town. The Shannon swim gives the race a character you don’t get in a pool or a reservoir - tidal flow, river traffic visible on the banks, the castle looming over the finish approach.
Athlone Triathlon Club is an active, well-run club that hosts several events through the season and takes part in the Triathlon Ireland National Series. The club has a reputation for welcoming athletes at all levels, so the atmosphere at sign-in and transition tends to be more club morning than elite race day. Confirm the exact swim distance and run length on race day via the club’s Facebook page or the Triathlon Ireland race calendar, as sprint formats occasionally vary slightly between events.
Athlone sits at the junction of the N6 (Dublin to Galway) and the N61, roughly an hour from Dublin and 90 minutes from Cork. By rail, Athlone is on the Dublin Heuston to Galway line with regular services throughout the day. The town centre and riverside are walkable from the station. For those driving, parking is available along the quays and in the town centre car parks, though spaces near the boat club fill early on race morning - allow extra time.
The Shannon runs through the middle of town and the riverside is pleasant before or after a race. Athlone Castle and the Sean’s Bar area are a short walk from the finish. There is more to see in Athlone and across Co. Westmeath.
Heading to Athlone River/Water Venue in Athlone? Westmeath has plenty more to see. Read the Athlone area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.