2025 Year in Review: Celebrating a Standout Year for Triathlon in Scotland

As we reach the end of 2025, we’re taking a moment to look back on a remarkable year for our community. From events to grassroots development, coach education to athlete success, it’s been a year defined by progress, collaboration, and incredible achievements across swim, bike, run.

Clubs

This year saw the launch of Regional Club Calls, designed to strengthen connections and encourage peer to peer learning. Clubs shared successes, challenges, and ideas, helping shape more targeted support and sparking new initiatives for 2026.

The Triathlon Scotland participation team also completed 25+ club visits, attending AGMs and committee meetings to offer guidance and deepen relationships across the network.

If your club would like to be part of the Regional Club Calls or would like a visit, please contact Triathlon Scotland on clubs@triathlonscotland.org

Coaching

Coaches remain at the heart of our sport, and we’re grateful to everyone who has invested their time and passion into developing athletes and strengthening clubs.

This year:

• 45 new coaches and leaders took their first step into coaching
• 20 coaches progressed further along their coaching pathway
• Participants represented 20 different clubs
• 29 candidates received support through sportscotland’s coaching subsidy

Their commitment continues to shape the future of triathlon in Scotland.

Three Triathlon Scotland staff attended this year’s sportscotland coaching residential, exploring the ASRI model (Attention, Sense Making, Retention, Internalisation) with Kurt Lindley of Be More Learning and Development. The event created valuable opportunities to connect with other governing bodies, share experiences, and spark new ideas to strengthen coaching across Scotland.

Take your first or next step on the coaching pathway starting and sign up to one of our 2026 courses.

Women and Girls Bike Development Day

At West Lothian Cycle Circuit, Triathlon Scotland hosted a dedicated development day for women and girls. Female coaches took part in morning CPD sessions before supporting afternoon coaching for girls and women.

The day provided a supportive, female only environment that built confidence, developed coaching skills, and encouraged more women and girls to thrive in a traditionally male dominated space.

Events

With 59 events, including 10 new additions, and 119 races on the calendar, 2025 offered something for everyone. Start lines were crossed 8,408 times – a 13% increase on last year.

Staff completed Inclusivity in Sport training, and the events team continued working closely with clubs to understand how we can better support organisers and enhance the experience for participants.

Orkney made history this summer as host of the Island Games – one of the world’s largest multi sport events after the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. With 24 islands and nations represented and around 2,500 competitors, the atmosphere from 11–18 July was unforgettable.

Triathlon opened the Games as the first medal event, featuring 72 athletes across female and open categories. Local pride shone through as Orcadian athletes claimed gold in the female race and bronze in the open race. Huge credit goes to Bob Newton and Orkney Triathlon Club for delivering an exceptional event.

Triathlon Scotland staff and Technical Officials were on the ground throughout, ensuring strong visibility, supporting athletes, and engaging spectators with branded giveaways. The community spirit, volunteer dedication, and even the weather combined to create a truly special celebration of our sport.

Find your next adventure from our list of 2026 permitted events.

Swim Bike Run

Swim Bike Run (SBR) continued to grow in 2025, with 16 events across the country showcasing the accessibility and joy of multisport.

Hosted by Triathlon Scotland, the SBR Mini Linlithgow event brought families, young people, and women together in an inclusive, supportive environment. The event was SheRaces acreddited, and with dedicated waves for children, families and women it empowered over 100 people to take part.

The latest innovation from SBR saw two Scottish clubs take part in pilots.

• Glasgow Triathlon Club delivered Scotland’s first SBR Club Pilot, offering a flexible, deconstructed triathlon format.
• Triathlon Inverness welcomed more than 60 participants, aged six to adult, with Aquathlon, Aquabike, Duathlon, and Triathlon options.

These events demonstrated the power of SBR to build confidence, community, and participation at every level.

Elite Stand-Out Performances

Scottish athletes delivered exceptional results on the world stage:

• Alex Robin – Silver at the World Junior Championships (Wollongong) and gold in the Junior/U23 Mixed Relay alongside Mille Breese
• Isla Hedley – World U23 Cross Triathlon Champion
• Cameron Main – Winner of his first Ironman event
• Beth Potter – 3rd overall in the World Triathlon Championship Series

Across the season, Scottish athletes made 14 starts at European and World Championship events across multiple formats.

In the British Super Series, Scottish athletes shone on the domestic circuit:

• Mille Breese – Senior British Super Series Champion
• Israel Noble – Youth B Open silver
• Alex Robin –-British Junior Triathlon Champion

National Triathlon Centre

The National Triathlon Centre welcomed Marc Austin as Lead Coach and Ailsa MacArthur as Next Generation & Support Coach.  As the Centre continues to flourish, with support from the University of Stirling, three Next Generation athletes relocated to Stirling to begin their university studies and training.

After 10 years in post, taking the performance pathway from strength to strength, Fiona Lothian, Head of Performance Pathways, retired in December. Triathlon Scotland extends it thanks to Fiona for her constant hard work and dedication to the sport.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding remained a major focus in 2025. Working with British Triathlon and the Home Nations, we delivered monthly webinars and newsletters for Wellbeing Officers, alongside re introduced drop in sessions in Scotland.

Triathlon Scotland extends their sincere thanks to Rebecca Trengove, who stepped down as Welfare Director after two terms. Her leadership and commitment have been invaluable.

The Board were pleased to welcome Ciara Webb into the role, bringing extensive safeguarding expertise to support our ongoing work.

This year also saw significant changes to PVG legislation, including updates to regulated roles and mandatory PVG checks for those working within them.

At Triathlon Scotland, we are looking forward to an exciting 2026 and hope you will join us!