Updated March 24, 2026 03:52PM
If you’re already a triathlete, clearly you’re no stranger to the unconventional. But there are some triathlons that take swim-bike-run to a whole new level. These are triathlons that take place in the middle of the night underneath the stars with only a glow stick to light your path. There are triathlons where you can take a walk on the wild side and race alongside cheetahs and giraffes. Some races you can even do with your furry, four-legged friend!
Read on to discover the list of the 12 weirdest triathlons that we’re definitely signing up for.
12 weird and unique triathlons
Challenge Sir Bani Yas
Sir Bani Yas, UAE
January 30, 2027
Challenge Family has come up with an idea for a triathlon that’s either crazy or genius. Challenge Sir Bani Yas, set on an island off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is the first long-distance triathlon in the region. But that’s not what makes this race special. There are two distinct features of this triathlon that you won’t find anywhere else.
First, you’ll stay aboard a cruise ship, which serves as the event’s floating hotel. After arriving in Abu Dhabi, you’ll board a boat that takes you to Sir Bani Yas Island for the ultimate, all-inclusive, triathlon experience. Forget about logistics like meals, accommodation, or transportation. Everything is handled for you because the cruise ship is your home base for the race.
But here’s where things get really wild: The island itself is home to 17,000 free-roaming animals, including Arabian oryx, giraffes, hyenas, and even cheetahs (now there’s an incentive to race fast).
The cruise ship package comes with four nights for $899, plus the long-distance entry fee coming in under $500. A full-distance race-cation for under $1,500? Sign us up.
The 2026 event just took place in January and saw Jonas Schomburg and Katrine Græsbøll Christensen take the top spots in the pro race.
Winterlude Triathlon
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 31, 2027
If you love the cold, the “World’s Oldest Winter Triathlon” is the race for you. Since 1984, the Winterlude Triathlon has called Ottawa, Canada, its home. This multisport event is a true winter challenge because you trade in your swim cap for skates and your bike for cross-country skis.
First up is an 8K ice skate on the Rideau Canal, followed by a 5K run, and a 6K cross-country ski.
As with any race (especially one that takes place in the winter), you must be prepared for anything. Over the years, there have been 29 variations to the course. In fact, the exact course on race day is up to the elements. Routes, distances, and even the sports themselves may change depending on what Mother Nature brings that day. If you’re the kind of triathlete who gets angry when the swim is canceled, this race might not be for you. But if you’re up for an adventure, bring your mittens and get ready for a good time.
Tri Dog Canitriathlon
Bedfordshire, England
September 2026 (date TBD)
A Canitriathlon is exactly what it sounds like. You do a triathlon with your dog! The origins of this fun event are in France, but the exciting and fast-paced race is quickly taking over the world.
A canitriathlon typically features a short swim leg, followed by either a harness and bungee tethered “bikejor” (cycling with your dog) or a scooter segment, and finally, a “canicross” run.
The Tri Dog Triathlon at Box End Park in Bedfordshire, England, encourages triathletes of all abilities to sign up and experience the thrill of racing with their dog. The race offers a variety of events, including a triathlon, aquabike, aquathon, duathlon, and canicross. The triathlon consists of an 80-meter swim, 2.5K bikejor or skooter, and a 2.5K canicross run. Dogs must be at least 18 months old, and to ensure the pups don’t get too tired, multiple event entry is restricted to one wet and one dry event, per dog, each day.
They even have separate divisions for more experienced athletes and beginners. The “hare” division is for athletes who are well-versed in dog sports and want to race from the gun, while the “tortoise” division is for newbies.
Starman Portugal
Alentejo, Portugal
May 7, 2026
If you dream of triathlon at night, this race is for you. Starman takes place entirely at night under the stars in Alentejo, Portugal, next to the world’s first certified Starlight Tourism Destination: the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve.
Racers in the Olympic and half-distance events dive into the water with glow sticks on their heads, then embark on a long, dark ride guided only by their flashlights. To top it off, there’s a head-torch run to the finish line, just in time for the sunrise.
HimalayanXtri
Pokhara, Nepal
May 9, 2026
Nepal in South Asia is known as “the Roof of the World” due to the high mountainous elevation. If you fancy a triathlon in extreme conditions, HimalayanXtri is the race for you. The race begins at 4:00 a.m. with a 3.5K swim in Lake Phewa that’s wetsuit mandatory. Expect water temperature to be around 68 degrees F (20 degrees C). A 167K bike ride follows with elevation gain of 3,800 meters/12,467 feet. The final leg of the race is a 43K off-road run that begins at 1,740 meters and reaches 4,000 meters before descending to the finish line at 1,400 meters.
The finish line is at a remote homestay village in the Annapurna Conservation Area, where athletes are required to stay the night in an effort to promote camaraderie and connection among fellow finishers.
A unique twist found in all Xtri World Tour races is that you can’t do it alone. Due to the difficulty and the unsupported nature of the race, you’ll need a support person. Don’t have anyone bold enough to crew for you? You can hire a local runner to step in and help you through the race. HimalayanXtri finishers receive 200 Xtri points to go toward guaranteed slots at other events such as Norseman, Celtman, Swissman, and Icon Livigno.
T24 XTREM Triathlon
Multiple dates & locations, 2026
Unlike an Ironman race, where athletes attempt to cover the course in the shortest amount of time possible, the T24 XTREM Triathlon takes a different approach. Every athlete is allotted the same amount of time: four hours of swimming, 12 hours of cycling, and eight hours of running. The goal is to complete as much distance as possible within a 24-hour timeframe to rack up the most points.
Points are awarded based on the distance completed in each discipline: 1K of swimming earns 15 points, 1K of cycling earns 1 point, and 1K of running adds 4 points to an athlete’s total. Additionally, bonus points are awarded for the fastest segments in each of the three legs, providing extra incentive for speed and performance. Because suffering is better with friends, there’s a relay option for teams of two, four, or six athletes.
Lander Reverse Triathlon
Lander, Wyoming
June 20, 2026
One of the most-asked questions about triathlon is: What is the order of events? Typically, the answer is simple: swim, bike, run. The swim comes first to ensure that athletes aren’t exhausted before getting in the water, the bike requires a degree of technical skill, and the run is what gets you to the finish line. But the Lander Reverse Triathlon flips the traditional triathlon on its head.
In this race, the swim takes place at the end, but it’s done in a pool with two 300-yard segments to address any safety concerns. What’s the reason for the switch? It’s all about promoting a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. You can compete as a relay, or have your kids join in the teen or kid’s triathlon.
The Restless Xtreme Gravel Triathlon
Arrochar Apls, Scotland
August 22, 2026
At this extreme gravel triathlon, athletes follow ancient drovers’ roads that were once used to drive cattle over the Scottish moors. According to the race organizers, “Ghostly sightings of drovers and cattle are part of local lore, with some saying you can hear the faint echoes of their footsteps and cattle lowing on foggy nights.” Okaaay … Not weird at all. Good thing the race takes place during the daytime.
The race begins at the shores of an ancient castle with a 1.8K swim in a dark loch that’s so deep it’s home to military submarines. The 50K gravel bike ride has 2,000 meters of ascent, including Glen Gruel, a particularly brutal 5K section. The final leg of the race is a mountain run. What’s that, you might ask? It’s a 25K run to the top of an actual mountain, Ben Donich, with 1,200 meters of ascent. Have fun!
K-Town Tri
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
July 19, 2026
K-Town Tri is one of the oldest (since 1984) and most unique triathlons in Canada because athletes get to race on an actual military base! There are sprint and Olympic distances, but we’re highlighting a new offering for 2026: the Enduro triathlon. The way it works is you race two triathlons back-to-back, the sprint at 8 a.m. and the Olympic at 10 a.m.
The premise is simple. First, you will race the sprint triathlon (750m swim, 20K bike, and 5K run). Once you cross the finish line, you must change back into your swim gear and get to the start line by 10 a.m. If you don’t make it in time, you won’t be eligible to start the Olympic (1,500m swim, 40K bike, 10K run). Just think of the sprint like a fun warm-up before the main event.
Swedeman Xtreme Triathlon
Åre, Sweden
July 4, 2026
At Swedeman, you’re signing up for a bit more than your typical swim, bike, run. In fact, this race includes a waterfall swim, wilderness bike, and mountain trail run.
The swim has unique undercurrents and temperature changes in the waters of Öster-Noren. The 3.8K swim finishes under Sweden’s largest waterfall. Once you’ve reached the shore, you must run up a steep 400-meter trail to access T1 at the top of the falls. The 205K bike travels from Tännforsen with 2,000 meters of climbing. Athletes will “likely encounter large wildlife” on course, so keep a wary eye out for moose and reindeer!
The run is so remote that athletes need to carry a safety kit. The 42K run goes on singletrack, possibly snowy and icy trails, and concludes with a 12K climb to the top of Åreskutan where you must have a support runner join you. Then, it’s all the way back down to the finish.
Craggy Island Triathlon
Kerrera, Scotland
September 2026 (date TBD)
Athletes begin by boarding a ferry at Oban that will take them to the island of Kerrera. The race begins with a 600-meter wetsuit-mandatory swim around the Kerrera Marina to Jetty. Up next is a 16K hilly, off-road bike ride that circles the island with views of Gylen Castle. Once you’ve returned to the marina, you’ll finish with an 8.5K trail run around the north end of the peninsula with views of Dunollie Castle.
Honestly, the “run” is more of a hill race as you will traverse muddy bogs, climb up scrambles, and navigate wild hillside terrain. A ferry ride, castle views, and plenty of mud and muck? Sounds like a true Scottish adventure.
Spirit of ’78 Triathlon
Porto, Portugal
Oct. 10, 2026
We could not, in good conscience, have a list of weird multisport races without including quite possible the weirdest of them all – Spirit of ’78 Triathlon. More of a wild and wacky get-together than race, Spirit ’78 is a tribute to the first athletes who completed an Ironman on the shores of Hawaii in 1978. In an effort to remain true to the roots of that first Ironman, athletes are encouraged to wear period-style clothing and ride vintage bikes that are as close as possible to those the athletes would’ve used 48 years ago. That means Speedos, mustaches, and steel bikes are encouraged.
The 3.8K swim, 180K bike ride, and 42K run takes place in Porto, Portugal. It’s the 10th edition of the race in 2026. Perhaps the most unique aspect of this event is it’s completely free. There are 80 entries up for grabs that are allocated at random and in accordance with answering the all-important question: “Why do you want to participate in Spirit of ’78 Triathlon?” Race alumni and those who plan to compete on steel bikes and in full 1970s regalia receive entry priority.
