Craggy Island Triathlon | Saturday

Ability level

Each race will provide a welcome environment for newbies and triathlon beginners, as well as a tough off-road challenge for those who fancy their chances at the head of the field.

Bike type

Mountain bike.

A mountain bike is recommended for this event, however depending on biker ability you may be able to use a gravel or cross bike.

Event HQ

Kerrera Marina
Isle of Kerrera
Oban
Argyll and Bute
PA34 4SX
UK

Event venue

Kerrera Marina
Isle of Kerrera,
Oban
PA34 4SX

Using the north of the island means you can get the event foot passenger ferry directly from Oban, avoiding a previous logistical issue with narrow roads, a lack of near-by parking facilities, and people getting to and from the start line.

Not only that, there are now much better services and a better event experience.

Kerrera Marina is home to the Waypoint Restaurant and Bar which will be serving up delicious refreshments throughout the event – or even a beer for your supporters – and possibly even you after the race!

You’ll find regular toilets, shelter, and hard standing – simple things that bring a little more comfort. Finally, this venue means that the event date won’t be determined by the tide.

Ferry

Ferry boarding venue

Oban Times Pier
Corran Esplanade
Oban
PA34 5PX

Ferry timetable

A ferry timetable is easily accessible to you. Please make your way to the earliest ferry you can to help spread the load and keep the flow of transport going. You do not need to do anything to board the ferry to Kerrera. To leave the Island, your Race number is your ferry ticket so please keep hold of it and show it before boarding the ferry to return to Oban. Supporters must pay £5 adult and £2.50 for a child.

Car park

Official venue

Soroba Road
Oban
PA34 4JB

Rules

No campervans/motorhomes are allowed in the event car parks. Vans under 6m/Transit van-size are OK.

Bike hire

Suggestions for local bike hire are made available to you.

Swim

Open water swim.

A to B 600m Open water swim across Ardantrive Bay.

Deep water start.

Water temperatures vary depending on the weather conditions pre-event but the sea temperature is likely to be around 12-14oC. 

Bike

Off-road mountain bike.

This will be on a combination of Land Rover and quad tracks and paths and is a bit hilly (ahem!). There’s nothing wildly extreme, however, this is proper mountain biking in places, not just riding round a lovely grassy field. If you feel the need to walk a bit, no problem. You’ll see most of the island on your travels and have what must surely be the most scenic triathlon bike course in the world. Amazing.

Run

Approx. 8.5km off-road.

This is going to be interesting. It’s proper off-road. In fact, it’s more like a hill-race than the ‘cross country’ you might remember from school. The route will take you across rough trackless boggy and wild hillsides, but you’ll be rewarded with the most incredible views of the island, across to the Isle of Mull. Along the way you’ll visit the Hutchesons monument with stunning views across to Dunollie Castle, before returning to the finish at the ferry slip. You may wish to incorporate a few hills in your training regime...

Exact route

This will be available 2 weeks before the event.

Areas of this course are on private land. If you choose to recce the course please avoid these areas.

This event is trying to raise its sustainability game. Yes, it's small stuff, but it's a start, and every bit helps. There are two main changes:

• Cups

  Feed station cups are this event's biggest source of waste so it is completely stopping the use of them. There will be no cups at feed stations. You will need to bring your own hydration system, whether this is a camel back, hydration vest, soft bottle or simply bring your own collapsible cup, carry this with you and it can be topped up at the feed stations. 

• T-shirts

  Many of you love and use them, however, some of them get disposed of without ever getting used. So, when you enter you will have the option to choose "No T-Shirt". The cost of your entry will remain the same, and the equivalent of the cost of your T-Shirt will be donated to the selected charity. 

Included

• Professionally organised race
• Full water safety team cover
• Full race medical first aid cover
• Chip timing
• Ferry Fees (as foot passengers) for Competitors
• Optional Event T-Shirt (or tree-planting donation)

Isle of Kerrera Development Trust

Craggy Island Triathlon is supporting the new Kerrera School House Community project, aiming to restore the islands’ Old School to become the island's first community hub providing a space for islanders to socialise and hold community events for the first time. 

Relay teams

Teams of 2 or 3.