Good questions. Straight answers.

Our event comparison helps you choose by distance, experience and whether you want to include cycling.

Yes — it’s a great one to train towards. Its shorter, less technical bike course suits beginners, but training for open water and uneven or muddy ground is still essential. Watch the course video.

You should be comfortable completing your chosen swim distance in open water, sighting and swimming near others in changing conditions. Practise in a supervised open-water setting; this is a race, not an introductory coached swim.

Yes, provided you meet the race’s entry requirements. See championship status and eligibility.

Start in your assigned category’s wave. See the start times and shared briefing and our category guide.

A serviceable mountain bike and a compliant helmet are essential. Check our bike and equipment requirements before buying or borrowing.

Bring one. The final decision uses the applicable rules and race-day conditions. For our swim distances, the April 2026 British Triathlon rulebook gives these water-temperature thresholds:

All ages

Mandatory below 15.9°C.

Age 59 and under

Forbidden above 22°C.

Age 60 and over

Forbidden above 24.6°C.

Age is calculated on 31 December. “Below” and “above” are the rulebook’s exact boundaries: being exactly at a threshold does not, by that table alone, trigger the requirement or ban. Officials may adapt the swim or wetsuit provisions for conditions. See sections 4.2 and 4.4; we’ll recheck the rules for 2027.

You need a race licence through qualifying membership, or an applicable Race Pass. Not every membership tier includes a race licence. Follow the EntryCentral checkout instructions so you don’t buy twice; approved platforms can sell passes alongside entries. Race Pass guidance.

Do not use headphones or headsets while racing or in transition. Contact us privately beforehand about essential medical devices so any arrangements can be agreed with the technical officials. Ask about support.

Allow enough time to walk in, register and set up before your transition closes. Beastie: 09:15; Wee Beastie: 09:35; Bikeless Beastie: 10:30. Check the full working timetable and attend your briefing.

Castle parking is limited and fills quickly. Plan around the town-centre options, check current restrictions and allow walking time. See travel options and the council’s visitor map.

Everything is collected on race morning; nothing is posted. See what’s in your race pack and how to wear it.

A Beastie medal is included in every entry, at no additional charge. No optional-medal selection or supplement is needed.

Changing tents and an unsupervised bag drop are available, but no showers. Bring dry clothes and leave valuables at home. See all facilities.

Yes, the park remains open to the public. Please keep the course clear, stay out of transition and follow marshal instructions. A cheer at the castle finish is always welcome.

Yes. Email the organisers privately about adjustments, guides, medical needs or other support. We’ll assess what is possible on this course with you.

Use our results archive and Beastie galleries. New links will be added after the event when available.

Entries close at the published deadline. We cannot accept late entries, even if spaces remain. This gives our volunteer team time to check start lists, prepare race packs and organise the equipment and materials needed for race day.

For voluntary withdrawals, the refund is based on when we receive your request, not when it is processed. These percentages apply to the race entry fee:

By 23:59 UK time on 30 May 2027

100%

31 May through 23:59 UK time on 30 June 2027

75%

From 1 July 2027

No voluntary-withdrawal refund

Email [email protected] with your name, event and EntryCentral booking reference. All deadlines use UK time.

No deferrals to a future Beastie event. Entries must not be passed to another person without organiser agreement; this is not a guaranteed right to transfer.

If you bought optional refund protection, make any claim directly to the provider under its terms. These voluntary-withdrawal terms do not set the treatment of separately charged platform fees, Race Passes or protection premiums.

Cancellation or material changes by the organiser are separate from personal withdrawal. These terms do not limit your statutory rights.

Water quality, temperature, weather or loch conditions may require the swim to be shortened, changed, delayed or cancelled. Follow the final athlete instructions and race-day announcements. The personal-withdrawal refund tiers are not a cancellation policy for organiser changes.