So, you’ve signed up for a triathlon – that’s awesome. If this is your first time doing a triathlon, or if you’ve recently moved to a new area in London, you’ll probably be looking for a club to train with. This comprehensive guide will group triathlon clubs based on where they are located in the city. Leave a comment with any other clubs that could be added to the list. And best of luck with your training!
North London and North-West London
Tri London
Tri London formed in 1985 with just ten members. Today it has over 200 members aged 20-58, training at various levels. Membership includes coached swimming lessons, weekly bike and run sessions, eligibility to enter various events, borrowing equipment and post-race socials. Members also train by taking part in cycling endurance events, cross country, fell racing, open water swimming and adventure races.
When? Several running, cycling and swimming sessions take place throughout the week.
Where? Regents Park and beyond in North London.
Membership Annual membership for new members is £35, which includes a £15 voucher towards club kit. You need to be over 18 to join.
Hampstead Triathlon Club
Hampstead Triathlon Club has been developing and growing since Daniel Bingham founded it in 2012, for athletes of all ages and abilities. Club membership benefits include club kit, sportives, entry into the club championship race, expert coaching and social events. Hampstead Triathlon Youth Academy welcomes young members between 11-15 years old.
When? Monday and Saturday morning running; five swimming sessions throughout week; Thursday and Sunday morning bike rides.
Where? Kentish Town Leisure Centre, Parliament Hill Athletics Track.
Membership Contact the club for more details.
Willesden Triathlon Club
Kristin Duffy founded Willesden Triathlon Club in 2011, with the aim of bringing together people of all levels. The friendly club welcomes people new to triathlon training as well as Ironman athletes. Members regularly meet for weekend rides, runs and swims around and beyond London. The club also holds events throughout the year – expect home baked treats at the end!
When? Tuesdays 7-9 pm.
Where? Willesden Sports Centre.
Membership £35 annually, or £10 per session (discounts on 5 or ten sessions). None members can try two free sessions before joining.
South London and South-East London
South London Harriers Triathlon
South London Harriers Triathlon was formed in 2003, offering its running club members the opportunity to train for triathlon. For each week, the club schedules two open water and one pool sessions, one track and two road running sessions, and Addiscombe cycle club rides. One off events are also held throughout the year.
When? Swimming on Mondays and Wednesdays; group cycle rides on Saturdays; running on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Where? Coulsdon, Croydon, East Surrey area.
Membership Various options, example adult annual membership is £40.
Windrush Triathlon Club
Windrush Triathlon Club has coached members of all levels since 2008. Coached sessions are run almost daily and one-to-one sessions are available to meet individual needs. The club also runs the annual Aquathlon at Brockwell Lido.
When? Every day except Saturday, see website for updated timetables.
Where? Brockwell Lido, Herne Hill Velodrome, Battersea and Clapham.
Membership Annual membership for adults is usually £30, but is currently half price (August 2017).
Greenwich Tritons
Greenwich Tritons has been running (and swimming, and cycling) since the 1980s. It welcomes all levels, from social training to GB Age Group representatives. The club boasts a number of qualified British Triathlon Federation (BTF) and British Swimming (ASA) coaches. Social events are also held throughout the year.
When? Swimming on Thursdays and Sundays, cycling on Saturdays, and running on Tuesdays.
Where? Woolwich, Greenwich Park, Blackheath.
Membership £35 annually, or £20 monthly.
East London and North-East London
London Fields Triathlon Club
London Fields Triathlon Club is a growing club in Hackney. It runs two aquathlons a year at London Fields Lido, as well as club trips for sportives, cross countries and wild swims. The club targets key races during the year to schedule training around. They welcome potential new members to go
When? Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
along to a few taster sessions before signing up.
Where? Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Regent’s Park, Stoke Newington West Reservoir, King Halls Leisure Centre, London Fields Lido, Victoria Park Athletics Track.
Membership Contact for more details.
East London Triathletes
East London Triathletes was formed in 1985 by Alex Hunter and Pete Elridge, who were inspired by the 1984 Hawaiian Ironman. The diverse club welcomes newcomers and Ironman participants alike. It also hosts the annual Dragon Slayer Duathlon event. Some members have been picked to represent GB in European and World Age Group Races.
When? Swimming on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; cycling on Sundays and Wednesday; running on Wednesday and Sunday.
Where? Walthamstow, Waltham Forest College, South Woodford, Ashton Playing Fields and Butler’s Retreat.
Membership Contact the club.
West London and South West London
Ful-on Tri
Ful-on Tri London formed in 2003. Today it has close to 300 members, catering for total novices to age group winners & pro athletes. The club offers eleven coached sessions a week. Alongside high-quality coaching; advice; experience; help and support, membership includes access to international training camps and off-season alternative racing. Outside of racing Ful-on Tri members run the Surrey Legs of Steel charity sportive, volunteer at major races and fit in a full social calendar. Simply put, they’re “a social club with a triathlon problem!”
When? Eleven swim, cycle & run sessions weekly. Thursday night’s are the club’s multi-sport training evening followed by a pub social. Long rides leave Richmond Park on a Saturday. A full training calendar is available on their website.
Where? Virgin Active Fulham Pools, Richmond Park, Barnes Cricket Club, Putney Park Lane, Barn Elms Sports Trust
Membership Annual membership for new members is £107 or £199 if you want to include the swim coaching.
Hillingdon Triathletes
Members of Hillingdon Triathletes are aged between 14-60+ and come from Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and their surrounding areas. This diverse group train with a mix of cross country running, road running, trail quests, club races and much more. Membership includes discounted BTF membership and free entry into all Club Time Trials.
When? Swimming on Mondays and Wednesdays; cycling on Sundays; running on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Where? Uxbridge Pool, Hillingdon Cycle Circuit.
Membership £20 annually for adult membership, cheaper for juniors and students
Premier Tri
Premier Tri provides two coached running sessions, one coached swimming session and a group bike ride each week. Sessions are run by a group of coaches with over 50 years’ experience between them. Members of all levels enjoy discounts on British Triathlon Federation membership, Elite Cycling servicing and products and Tri Training Harder coaching and training camps.
When? Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays.
Where? Battersea, Charing Cross Sports Club, Crystal Palace and the south west London area.
Membership £35 monthly.
Optima Racing Team
James Beckinsale is the head coach of the Optima Racing Team, and is also the London Region Academy Coach. ORT formed in 2000 and has since trained athletes of all abilities, including juniors. It also hosts the Optima Racing Team Aquathlon at the open-air pool in Richmond.
When? Every day except Friday, check club timetable for details.
Where? Kew, New Chiswick Pool, Battersea, Richmond Park.
Membership Varies, example price of £80 monthly for adult membership.
Kingfisher Triathletes
Kingfisher Triathletes was started by John Lunt, Bob Arnold, Gary Martin and Chris Walsh in 1984, after taking part in the Reading Triathlon in 1983. Today, members of the club take part in many multi-sport races. It also runs the Kingfisher Aquathlon, which is one of the races in the London League series. All levels are welcome.
When? Swimming on Mondays and Wednesdays; cycling on Thursdays and Sundays; running on Tuesdays.
Where? Kingston, Hampton Pool, Kingsmeadow Track; Hampton Court.
Membership £60 annually.
Clapham Chasers
Clapham Chasers was born in 2005 when a group of friends met every Monday to run. It now has more than 850 members at its Trinity Fields Clubhouse base in Wandsworth. Members can pick and choose the training sessions to meet their individual needs. Benefits include club discounts on cycle insurance, training products and physiotherapy.
When? Various training sessions take place throughout the week, see full timetable for more details.
Where? Clapham Leisure, Shepperton Lake, Tooting, Richmond Park, Battersea Park and more.
Membership £23 or £37 annually (depending on whether or not you affiliate with EA).
Photo by Dominik Martin on Unsplash
You have missed Crystal Palace triathletes – not only are they the biggest in de london, they put on the largest club event in london every year ….