Triathlon & Endurance Events - Episode Guide

A thousand international athletes take on 100km of trail from Rotorua to Kawerau in New Zealand, where the spectacular course takes them through some breath-taking scenery including waterfalls, ancient forests and important Maori cultural sites. The race forms part of the Ultra-Trail World Tour, a worldwide 11 race series of ultra-marathons attracting the cream of off-road runners.

Taking place against the stunning backdrop of Blenheim Palace estate, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this iconic triathlon is the traditional season opener and the second-biggest event in the UK, with thousands of enthusiasts and celebrities enjoying the scenic and historic course. The elite race features reigning Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee in his build up to Rio 2016, and the current European champion India Lee, who is attempting to defend her title in the women's race. Mel C and Alastair Campbell feature among the celebrity competitors. Graham Bell presents while Patrick Winterton provides commentary.

This prestigious Ironman 70.3 World Championship qualifying event provides fierce competition and a significant challenge for top pros such as the defending champion, Lucy Gossage, and former England footballer Danny Mills. With a total of 2000 athletes taking on the 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run set in the scenic Staffordshire countryside, finishing with a half marathon at the historic Shugborough Estate where the competitors are cheered every step of the way by thousands of fans. Joe Tidy conducts the interviews while Patrick Winterton commentates.

This 97km race climbs from Tenerife's coast to the summit of Teide, the highest mountain in Spain. Starting at midnight and with just 23 hours to complete this epic journey, competitors must climb a total of 5000 metres and cross the beautiful but treacherous volcanic landscape of Tenerife: one of trail running's classic routes and ultimate challenges. From ocean to summit then back to the ocean, for most it's the dream of a lifetime to complete a course like this, while for the professional runners it's a massive test of endurance, tactics and mental strength.

The inaugural Swansea Triathlon offers an exciting sprint distance race for elite and age-group athletes, including rugby legend Shane Williams. All the action takes place in the city centre, the atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric as competitors get loud support from the crowds. Aly Vance presents with commentary from Patrick Winterton.

After a massively successful inaugural year in 2015, the event returns with one of the fastest courses on the circuit, taking place on closed roads in and around Cardiff Bay. The event includes an elite race, alongside enthusiasts and celebrities like rugby legend Shane Williams and TV presenter Gethin Jones. With the start and finish outside the stunning Millennium Centre, this event is set to become a classic race. Aly Vance presents with commentary from Patrick Winterton.

The streets of the capital provide an iconic backdrop to the action as thousands gather to compete in the world's biggest triathlon. The elite race is one of the most prestigious titles on the world calendar and this year features a field of strong international competitors, such as British Olympian Lucy Hall. Joe Tidy and Rachel Stringer present with commentary from Wayne Boyce.

Jason Bradbury and Michelle Dillon present all the best action from Tri Liverpool as it hosts the national triathlon championships for elite athletes and age-group competitors. To add to the excitement, some of Britain's medal contenders for the Rio Paralympics, including Lauren Steadman, George Peasgood, Faye McLelland, Joe Townsend and Dave Hill, take on their final races before heading to Brazil for the Games. Celebrity competitors and first-timers also take part in this welcoming mass-participation event, racing past the iconic sights of the city. Patrick Winterton provides commentary.

Joe Tidy and Annie Emmerson present highlights from this popular and competitive iron-distance on its return to Nottingham, home of the legendary Robin Hood, as over 1000 athletes of all abilities strive to complete the course and become an Outlaw. The programme also includes coverage of the Outlaw Half and Future Outlaw junior events. Commentary comes from Patrick Winterton.

The Andorra Ultra Trail is a 170km run that takes in 13,500 metres of climbing in just two days, more than one and a half times the height of Everest. The terrain is demanding but, by way of compensation, the Pyrenean views are stunning as the competitors ascend to the highest point in the principality, the summit of Coma Pedrosa. The non-stop race requires technical skills and takes in some of the most unspoiled mountain areas in Europe, including the Sorteny Valley National Park and the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, an area with world heritage status. While crossing 16 summits with a height of more than 2400 metres, the runners are cheered on by the local communities who turn out to support the event. With shorter courses also available, the event is a festival of trail running. Patrick Winterton provides commentary.

Long Course Weekend is a stage race-style triathlon that takes place over three consecutive days incorporating the Wales Swim, the Wales Sportive and the Wales Marathon. Taking place in the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park, by the time competitors finish the marathon in the historic coastal resort of Tenby they will have completed an iron-distance triathlon. With thousands taking part, there is legendary crowd support and strong individual competition in each stage, as well as the ultimate prize of being fastest across all three. Presented by Ali Vance with Patrick Winterton providing the commentary.

Ironman Wales takes place amid the castles and stunning landscapes of Pembrokeshire on the south Wales coast. After a 2.4-mile sea swim in the historic setting of Tenby and a challenging 112-mile bike ride, which takes in some of the area's big climbs, the athletes face their 26.2-mile run to the finish. The prestigious event enjoys big crowds and offers participants a chance to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. The race attracts thousands of triathletes, including some of the world's leading pros, as well as Welsh rugby legends Shane Williams, Ryan Jones and Ian Gough. With commentary from Patrick Winterton.

The city of Vitoria hosts one of Spain's biggest triathlons, with nearly 2000 participants from all over the world and a famously enthusiastic crowd of supporters. With the swim and bike set in the stunning landscapes of the area, the run takes place in the heart of historic Vitoria, capital city of the Basque Country.

Celebrating Stoke on Trent's position as the European City of Sport 2016, this weekend of triathlon takes place in the historic setting of Trentham Gardens: a stunning venue that few triathlons in the world can equal. With elite, age group and children's races, this is an event for all.

Known as the happy island, Aruba in the Caribbean is the venue for the latest addition to the Challenge family of triathlons. Attracted by the course which takes in the crystal clear waters of the island, rolling hills and white beaches, a top class field of elite athletes line up to take part in 2016's inaugural event.

Taking place in north Wales, this weekend of triathlon is not for the faint-hearted, incorporating the Snowdonia Triathlon, the second event in the Always Aim High Adventure Triathlon Series. Competitors start with a stunning swim in the lake at Plas y Brenin in the shadow of the beautiful mountains, before taking on the formidable peaks themselves in a 60km bike ride and an off-road run to the finish. Commentary comes from Patrick Winterton.

One of the most popular and challenging triathlons on the UK Calendar, this multi-terrain event takes place on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales, with 1000 athletes taking on a course that includes a sea swim and a run across the dunes and rocky beaches of Newborough Forest. This is the final event in the Always Aim High Adventure Triathlon Series. Commentary comes from Patrick Winterton.

This five day, non-stop adventure race takes teams of four on a 600km journey across Ireland to the finish in Killarney. Along the way, competitors will have to climb Ireland's highest mountains, kayak on rough seas, and take on massive cycle stages as well as caving and coasteering challenges to test their mental and physical limits. Patrick Winterton provides commentary.

This unique adventure race is a gruelling mix of running and sailing which takes teams of five on a journey up the west coast of Britain, from Wales to Scotland, battling rocks and tides as they sail 400 miles through some of the most challenging waters in Europe. Along the way, the yachts drop off runners who must climb the highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland, covering 82 further miles on land in just three days. A massive test of endurance, this event, which began in 1977, is a prestigious trophy on both the sailing and mountain running calendars. Commentary comes from Patrick Winterton.