In only its second year the South Hams Sprint Triathlon sold out three months early. The organisers Ben Tisdall & Stewart Bergman took the decision to limit numbers to 300 mainly because the runners have to cross the bikes to access the Run.

Ben Tisdall said ‘we wanted to make sure we could run the event smoothly and safely so reluctantly we’re having to turn people away.’ We are operating a free waiting list but will not be releasing any additional places just accepting people when people who’ve already entered notify us they can’t take part.

Also new for 2016 is a Supersprint event with a shorter swim and run and aimed at novices.

The race begins with a 750 metre sea swim from Blackpool Sands which is naturally sheltered. The swim will start at the West end of the beach and you will swim diagonally out for 375 metres and back before exiting to run up the beach and into T1.

The 20.3 kmbike leg starts with a tough climb up towards Strete. But you’re then rewarded with a great view at the top and a fast down hill. Then it’s time to get down on the tri bars on Devon’s flattest stretch of road along Slapton beach and past Slapton Ley before turning right for the gentle climb up to Stokenham roundabout where you turn and retrace for T2.

Miraculously we’ve found a pretty flat 5km run. You head straight up the Blackpool Valley Road, a narrow lane opposite the beach which follows the river. You bear right then climb gently up for a couple of kilometres before turning and retracing. A chance here to see how much time you’ve put into your mates (or how far ahead they are).

The 2016 South Hams Tri also offers the option of a Super-Sprint Distance Race.

Our Super Sprint triathlon (400m swim, 20k bike, 2.5k run) is ideal for novices or those who are daunted by a 750 metre sea swim. You get to enjoy the full bike course but a shorter run and a shorter swim.

400 metre swim – Blackpool Sands is naturally sheltered. The swim will start at the West end of the beach then swim out to a buoy 200 metres from the beach and back.

20.3 km bike – The bike leg starts with a tough climb up towards Strete. But you’re rewarded with a great view at the top and a fast down hill before reaching Slapton Ley, the flattest stretch of road in Devon and then bearing right up to Stokenham roundabout before retracing.

2.5 km run – Miraculously we’ve found a fairly flat run. You head straight up the Blackpool Valley Road a narrow lane opposite the beach following the river along a stream and then turn at the first t-junction before retracing.

NOTE: Ticket price includes a quality event t-shirt , swim hat, electronic chip timing (including transition splits) and prizes. Unfortunately we do not offer refunds under any circumstances but will allow a friend to take your place in the race. Registration opens at 6.30am. Swim waves start from 8.00am. There is also a rare opportunity to camp at Blackpool Sands the night before for an additional charge.