The Triathlon Route consists of the following:
Swim: The swim will take place off the beach in Ballyheigue. (Ballyheigue is one of the safest beaches in Kerry and has a sandy bottom with a very gradual slope). Participants will start from the shore and swim out to bouy1. From bouy1 the swim follows the line of the beach to bouy2,3 and 4 where swimmers will head directly back to shore and the transition area. In the event of dangerous seas an alternative run will be substituted for the swim..
Cycle: The Cycle route heads down the main street of Ballyheigue before turning up Lady Well and heading past the Grotto to the top of the hill. The Route then heads left past the Church before taking a hard left to take cyclists back towards the mouth of the shannon. The Cycle route then follows the coast road around Kerryhead. The route is incredibly scenic with north shore views of the Shannon and Clare coastline (you can even see the Aran Islands on a clear day). As you go around the point of Kerryhead you are greeted with a vista of Mount Brandon, The Maherees and Tralee Bay. A gradual descent will bring you back to the transition area. View Route in Google Maps.
Run: The run will take place on the beach and consists of run along the strand towards the "Black Rock" in the distance. (The sand is firm and easy to run on). The turning point at 2.5k out will be well marshalled and from there it is a straightforward run to the finish line just below the transition area.
The Transistion area is in the Car Park near the Liifeguards Cabin at Ballyheigue Beach.
Ballyheigue is a coastal village in County Kerry. It is approximately 18 km north of Tralee on the R551. It is a scenic resort town with many miles of beaches that connect to Banna Strand to the south, and Kerry Head to the north. The village is an excellent location to hold a triathlon.