IRONMAN today announced an exciting addition to its 2025 calendar as Leeds becomes the newest full-distance IRONMAN® host city in the UK. The IRONMAN Leeds triathlon will take place on 27 July 2025 with general registration opening on 26 September.
Leeds, located in the north of England, in the county of Yorkshire, is one of the UK’s biggest cities, with a large student population thanks to its five universities. The vibrant and lively city is best known for its luxury shopping, thriving nightlife, award winning theatres, renowned museums.
As a sports-mad city, Leeds is known for Leeds United FC, Leeds Rhinos, Yorkshire County Cricket Club and for triathlon fans, being the birthplace of Alistair and Jonny Brownlee. The city boasts state-of-the-art training facilities including The Brownlee Centre, the UK’s first purpose-built triathlon training centre, and the home of Leeds Triathlon Centre. Well known for hosting large scale sporting events, Leeds is also home to the Rob Burrow?Leeds Marathon and multiple other half marathons and road races including Leeds Abbey Dash which has been going for 38 years. The wider Yorkshire region has also hosted major cycling events including the Tour de France Grand Depart.
Leeds will build on the strong history of the IRONMAN Series in the UK becoming the fourth English host destination of the iconic triathlon after Bolton, Sherborne and Weymouth. The UK has a strong tradition of triathlon with the successes of the likes of the Brownlee brothers, reigning IRONMAN World Champion, Lucy Charles-Barclay, former IRONMAN World Champion and Hall of Famer, Chrissie Wellington and most recently gold medal winner from Paris, Alex Yee.
The appetite for racing amongst UK athletes is higher than ever with a record number of UK athletes participating at IRONMAN and IRONMAN® 70.3® races across Europe in 2024 - second only to the United States globally - and all IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events in the UK sold out in 2024, including the IRONMAN Wales, IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea, IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton and IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth triathlons.
Leeds Bradford Airport is just seven miles from the city centre, and Manchester Airport is less than a two-hour drive away, or a one hour 40-minute train.
Athletes will begin their IRONMAN triathlon journey in Roundhay Park, a 700-acre urban park, just three miles away from Leeds City Centre. They will take on a 2.4-mile (3.8km) lake swim in the same venue that World Triathlon Championship Series Leeds took place.
They will then embark on a 112-mile (180km) bike course up into the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park. Athletes will cycle the same paths as the famous 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart route, with approximately 2500m elevation gain. Finally, athletes will take on a 26.2-mile (42.2km) run on multi-lap course around Roundhay Park and scenic surrounding areas, before reaching the finish line.
Full course maps will be shared in due course.
Sam Brawn, Regional Director of UK, Ireland & Africa for The IRONMAN Group, commented: “We have long had our eyes on the city of Leeds as a host of an IRONMAN UK race thanks to its passion for triathlon, great course potential, and easy travel links for both local and international athletes. Thank you to Leeds City Council and North Yorkshire Council for helping us make it happen.”
“Our UK event calendar is now fully baked. We’ll kick off with the IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton triathlon on 8 June 2025, the perfect preparation race for the IRONMAN Leeds event. The IRONMAN® 70.3® Swansea triathlon will follow on 13 July 2025, with the inaugural IRONMAN Leeds triathlon taking place two weeks after on 27 July. The IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth triathlon taking place on 14 September and the IRONMAN Wales race scheduled for 21 September. It’s going to be another epic year of IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon racing in the UK”.
Thomas Veje Olsen, Managing Director of The IRONMAN Group in Europe, Middle East and Africa said“We are absolutely delighted to add the IRONMAN Leeds triathlon to our European race calendar next year. As a really sporty city, and one that is also entrenched in triathlon culture, we expect this to be a big hit with locals, and will no doubt see some epic race day support. We very much look forward to welcoming local and international athletes alike to the triathlon hub of the UK in what promises to be an exciting inaugural event next year.”
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “We’re delighted to have been confirmed as IRONMAN UK’s latest host location, and proud that the council has been able to play its part in bringing this great event to Leeds.
“As a city, we are hugely passionate about sport of all kinds, from top-class professional action to grassroots health and fitness activities.
“We also have a strong track record of staging major sporting events that benefit from our first-rate venues, our stunning scenery and our inclusive and welcoming outlook on life.
“IRONMAN Leeds will be a perfect opportunity to bring all this together and once again showcase our city to the watching world. Roll on next July!”
Priority registration will open for the IRONMAN Leeds triathlon on 24 September, with general registration opening on 26 September at?
www.ironman.com/im-leeds.
For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit
www.ironman.com.