Now What is a Triathlon? Join the Fastest-Growing Sport

Triathlon is only the greatest sport out there! (jk) Seriously though triathlon is an amazing sport with such a supportive and warm community.

Triathlon is a multisport event that combines three athletic disciplines into one challenging competition. The three disciplines include swimming, cycling, and running, and the objective is to complete all three in the shortest amount of time possible. Triathlons come in different distances, ranging from short sprint events to long-distance Ironman triathlons, but the basic format remains the same.

Where did Triathlon come from?

The sport of triathlon was first introduced in the 1970s as a men’s only competition. It wasn’t until 1979 Lyn Lemaire became the first woman to complete the Gawaii Ironman Triathlon. In 2000 triathlon made its first debut in the Summer Olympic Games where both men and women individually raced in the Olympic distance (1.5km swim, a 40km bike ride, and 10km run).

Since then triathlon has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. In 2014 triathlon was designated as an NCAA emerging sport for women! This was a huge deal and recently with confirmations of 40 collegiate varsity women’s triathlon teams formed, the sport will be an official NCAA sport for women by 2024. With the increasing popularity of triathlons, more and more people are getting involved in this challenging and exciting sport. Whether you’re an experienced athlete or a beginner, there’s a triathlon event that’s right for you.

If you want a more detailed timeline of the many achievements women have made in triathlon check out triathlete’s post!

In what order is a triathlon?

1. Swim: The first leg of a triathlon is the swim, which typically takes place in a lake, ocean, or pool. The distance of the swim varies depending on the event but can range from a quarter-mile to a 2.4-mile swim. The swim leg is a great way to get the heart rate up this is when your adrenaline is going to be running and the body warms up for the rest of the event.
   • 5 Key Benefits of Swimming More: how it could improve your race

1. First Transition (T1): This is where athletes will transition from the swim to the bike. Bikes are kept in this area with other gear needed for the race. Your time does not stop when in T1 so familiarizing yourself with the area is helpful on race day.

1. Bike: After completing the swim, athletes move on to the bike leg of the triathlon. This is where you’ll get the chance to show off your cycling skills and endurance. The bike leg can range from a 12-mile sprint to a 112-mile Ironman event.

1. Second Transition (T2): This is where athletes will transition from the bike to the run portion of the race. Most times T2 will be at the same location as T1 so when returning from the bike you will return back to your station to drop off your bike and prepare for the run.
2. Run: The final leg of a triathlon is the run. This is where you’ll need to dig deep mentally and find your why. Push yourself to the finish line. The run leg can range from a 5k to a full marathon, depending on the event.

Training for a triathlon is a demanding and time-consuming process, but the satisfaction of crossing the finish line is worth all the effort. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself, improve your health, or simply have fun, triathlon is a great way to do it.

What are the distances in triathlon?

I have broken up each distance from shortest to longest. Each event of the race is listed with the corresponding distance. I listed the average times to complete the respective race below. The times I used are women’s average times of completed events. Also, I included the amount of time allocated to complete each distance.

Super Sprint

This is the shortest distance you can compete in which is an excellent entry-level competition to try! My first triathlon was a super sprint and I am so grateful I chose this as my first distance it’s super doable.

Event	Distance
Swim	400m (0.25 miles)
Bike	10 km (6.2 miles)
Run	2.5 km (1.5 miles)

Sprint

This is the most popular event in triathlon it is an intense race that can be fit nicely into an athlete’s training schedule.

Event	Distance
Swim	750 m (.46 miles)
Bike	20 km (12.4 miles)
Run	5 km (3.1 miles)

Olympic

This is my favorite distance! I didn’t compete in this distance til my second year of collegiate racing. It is not too short of a race but not as long as an ironman just enough time to still feel the intensity.

Event	Distance
Swim	1.5 km (0.93 miles)
Bike	40 km (24.9 miles)
Run	10 km (6.2 miles)

Half-Ironman

This distance requires a commitment to fit training into an athlete’s week. During this race, endurance is really tested as well as mental strength. I just competed in one this month for the first time and it was at first daunting but ended up being an exciting race and learning experience.

Event	Distance
Swim	1.9 km (1.2 miles)
Bike	90 km (56 miles)
Run	21.1 km (13.1 miles)

Ironman

I have yet to tackle this distance but this isn’t a race for everyone. It is a life-changing experience to fully commit to a lifestyle that requires an extensive amount of dedication to pursue a goal. The term “Ironman” does not necessarily mean the 140.6-mile distance race most people think of. Ironman is a racing brand and races like half-distance and full-distance are run by the brand Ironman. That is where the name association is coined.

Event	Distance
Swim	3.8 km (2.4 miles)
Bike	180 km (112 miles)
Run	42.2 km (26.2 miles)

In conclusion, triathlon is a multisport event that combines swimming, cycling, and running. Whether you’re an experienced athlete or a beginner, there’s a triathlon event that’s right for you. Any distance you choose and complete is an amazing achievement in itself to be proud of! Showing up for yourself in training and believing in your capabilities is the major accomplishment of racing. Therefore, with the right training and preparation, you can successfully complete a triathlon and enjoy the thrill of crossing the finish line.