IRONMAN Leeds swim cancelled over blue-green algae safety concerns

IRONMAN announced the decision in conjunction with Leeds City Council and following guidance from the UK Health Security Agency’s Environmental Hazards Team. Recent hot weather across the UK has triggered a significant bloom of blue-green algae in Waterloo Lake, raising concerns about potential health risks for participants.

Testing carried out at the venue confirmed algae levels were well above the threshold considered safe for open-water swimming, leaving organisers with no option but to cancel both Saturday’s swim practice session and the swim leg of Sunday’s race.

While acknowledging athletes’ disappointment, race organisers stressed that participant safety remains the top priority and reassured competitors that the event will still go ahead.

As a result of the change, the race will be held as a bike-run event. Athletes will complete a 112-mile bike ride followed by a 26.2-mile marathon run. The event will start from transition with a rolling time-trial bike start beginning at 7am on Sunday.

IRONMAN said competitors will receive further details about the revised race format and start procedures via email ahead of race day.

Organisers remain committed to delivering what they described as “an epic day of racing in Leeds” despite the last-minute changes.

The full Ironman was held in Bolton for many years before the triathlon was shortened to Ironman 70.3 and is for some, seen as a training exercise for the full gruelling challenge.

Bolton Ironman will be back next summer.

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