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Castle Race Series Update: Race Categories & Inclusion Policy
01.04.26

At Castle Race Series, we are committed to creating a race environment that is fair, inclusive, and respectful for all athletes. We welcome Triathlon Ireland’s position to align with the World Triathlon Transgender Policy, and as part of this commitment, we will also be adopting the policy, which will be implemented in Ireland from 1st January 2026.

Race Categories for Athletes Aged 18+

In 2026 our triathlon and multisport festivals in Ireland, governed by Triathlon Ireland and the UK, governed by British Triathlon Federation, will feature two race categories for all competitive age group events — those involving official timing, results, qualification, or rankings — for athletes aged 18 and over:

  • Female Category – for athletes who are female sex at birth
  • Open Category – for all other participants, including those who are male sex at birth, transgender, or not eligible for the female category

Only athletes who are female sex at birth are eligible to compete in the Female Category. The Open Category is inclusive of all individuals, including transgender athletes.

Booking Process Updates

To support these changes, an additional step has been introduced during the booking process for events involving athletes aged 18 and over.

Participants will now be asked to select their race category:

  • Female Category
  • Open Category

This information enables event organisers to correctly allocate competitors into race categories in line with the policy.

If you are a transgender athlete and have already booked your race, please return to your dashboard, select ‘Edit Booking’, and choose the Open Category to ensure you are placed in the correct results category.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

The aim of this policy is to ensure that triathlon and multisport remains:

  • Welcoming and inclusive
  • Fair and transparent
  • Respectful to all participants

Transgender individuals are, and will continue to be, welcomed at all levels of participation and competition, including events, clubs, coaching environments, and both domestic and international racing.

Triathlon Ireland, British Triathlon and Castle Race Series maintains a zero-tolerance approach to homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, harassment, or discrimination of any kind. Any behaviour that falls short of these standards will be treated as serious misconduct and managed accordingly.

Looking Ahead

We believe these updates represent an important step in ensuring that our sport continues to evolve in a positive and inclusive way. Castle Race Series will continue to work closely with governing bodies to uphold these standards and provide the best possible experience for all athletes.

Further information on race categories and eligibility will be shared ahead of the 2026 season. If you need any further information, you can read the Triathlon Ireland policy & FAQ here, as well as the BTF transgender policy here.