The award-winning sporting event was held on Sunday 16 June 2019 and saw athletes complete the full and half triathlon. The full race involves a 2.4-mile swim in Derwent Water, a 112-mile cycle ride out to the coast as far as Silloth before returning to Keswick to complete a 26.2-mile run. 

Added extras for this year included a kids’ race – the Lakesmini – and a pasta party on the Friday evening, all adding to the family-friendly atmosphere. 

Athletes, spectators and volunteers also benefitted from larger merchandise and changeover areas.  

The event continued to help promote Allerdale to people from all over the country, with 65% of athletes coming from outside Cumbria and nearly a third of spectators travelling from elsewhere to cheer the athletes on. The number of spectators lining the route is estimated to have risen by 20% on last year, to 36,000.  

Local hotels, guesthouses, bars and restaurants also benefitted. The average party size of 4.6 people stayed in the local area for 2.5 nights. Over a third of athletes had also visited the area prior to the event increasing local spend. For many, taking part in the Lakesman had meant that they had a more favourable perception of the area and would visit again. 

Overall it is estimated that for every £1 invested into the event, it produced £12.45 income for the local economy. 

The event also continues to enjoy high levels of satisfaction with over 96% of athletes rating it as excellent or very good. Compliments ranged from the atmosphere, the facilities and volunteers, to Keswick being such a fantastic location. As a result, 98% of competitors would do another Lakesman and 99% would recommend it to others. 

Phil Whitehead, Race Director for The Lakesman said: "It was another great day for The Lakesman, and once again Keswick, and Cumbria delivered. The weather, support, volunteers and athletes all put on a great display to showcase our amazing part of the world. 

“We created this race as something different and the feedback once again shows the athletes and spectators appreciate everything about the race.  We also created what we believed to be PB course, but even though we knew the course was fast, we were amazed by our winner Sam Laidlow who completed in 8 hours 21 minutes, the fastest time EVER recorded in the UK for a long distance triathlon. It will be interesting to see how he progresses on the world stage". 

Speaking on the event, Leader of the Council Marion Fitzgerald, said: “I was at the Lakesman throughout the day cheering on the competitors and so I saw first-hand the effort it took and came away with have huge admiration for everyone who took part.

“It continues to be such an important fixture in the calendar not only for Keswick but for the whole of Allerdale, bringing in visitors and income for local businesses, and inspiring people to get fit and healthy which is why we support it.”  

Joe Rham, GLL Regional Director said: “GLL are delighted to be a partner in the fantastic Lakesman Triathlon and the impact and feedback from this year’s event is a testament to the local team and the tremendous amount of work that goes in to creating an outstanding race for athletes.  

“It’s a tribute to the connective power of sport and physical exercise that the wider Cumbrian community is also benefitting – whether as volunteers, spectators or local businesses.”      

The Lakesman Triathlon’s partners are Lakesman Events, Allerdale Borough Council and GLL, the UK’s largest leisure provider sponsor the event under their consumer facing brand, Better. The event could also not have taken place without the support of sponsors PowerBar, Carlisle Racecourse, Zone 3 David Allen, Armstrong Watson, Eddie Shimmings, Dodd and Co, and Cartmell Shepherd.

Lakesman Triathlon 2019:

• The vast majority of competitors came from the UK, however there was one person who came all the way from New Zealand to take part. 
• Most of the athletes (nearly 400) were aged between 40-49 years. A third of all athletes were female. 
• Average spend per competitor was £19.33. Of the spectators staying overnight in the local area, the average spend was £86 per person for the overall trip.  
• The 2020 race went on sale on Monday 17^th June and 50% of entries were taken within the first week.