The same is true for other elite races, including those sanctioned by the Olympic sports governing body, but some offer age-group and amateur divisions for the soft-core athlete. Fortunately, many local and regional races don't have a qualifying system, encouraging anyone who'd like to give it a try. Although the Ironman Triathlon is arguably the multisport discipline's most recognizable event, thousands of triathlons of varying distances take place each year around the globe, including shorter youth-focused events and "ultra" competitions where competitors double or triple the typical Ironman distances.
Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Outdoor Activities. Triathlon Facts. What Are the Various Triathlon Distances? The most common triathlon distance follows international Olympic guidelines: A swim of 0.
There are many variations of a Triathlon or multisport event, the table below gives a good overview of the various types of events and distances:. Swim — less than m. Ride — less than 20km. Run — less than 5km. Swim — m.
Ride — 20km. Run — 5km. Olympic or Classic. Ride — 40km. Run — 10km. Swim — between and m. Ride — between 80km and km.
Run — between 20km and 30km. In fact, this is a popular choice for competitors who are training for an Ironman, which means you will meet some fierce competitors on race day.
When you line up on the starting line, get ready to swim 0. Plan on spending about three to four hours outdoors swimming, biking, and running when you get to this level.
While not overly long, Ryan does say that by the end, it will test your endurance, make your quads burn , and put your mental fortitude to the test. Ryan says novices may require three to five months to be ready for this distance, while experienced triathletes may only require six to 12 weeks.
The Half Ironman is the primer for the ultimate race: the Ironman. This distance Once you reach this level of competition, you can expect to spend about five to seven hours completing this race. So, if this triathlon is on your to-do list, make sure you plan accordingly.
Ryan says novices may require four to six months to be ready for this distance, while experienced triathletes may only require three to four months. He suggests figuring out what your specific fueling plan will be—hydration as well as nutrition—as you will exercise continuously for an extended period of time.
Triathlons are comprised of a swim, bike and run leg. There are also Aquathlons swim and run and Duathlons run, bike, run. But let's focus on the three sport option. The distances can often vary, but the chart below gives you an insight into the usual distance options for a triathlon. As with time trials and other cycling disciplines, your training will vary greatly depending on the distance of your chosen event.
But across all lengths you want to put out a strong time in each leg of your triathlon, so you should try to establish which zone you will be racing in. For cyclists, swimming and running are often dreaded words.
In swimming, form is essential. You can be as fit as a fiddle, but if your technique is off you could be giving away valuable minutes and seconds come race day.
When taking up swimming, some coached sessions early on could help you avoid some common mistakes. Try your local leisure centre for coached swimming classes. Some shorter events use a pool swim for the race. In this case, tumble turns are not allowed - touch turns only. You'll be seeded largely in speed order, but if you need to pass someone in the race you just tap their toes.
At other events, the swim is in open water. In these cases drafting makes a huge difference - so you want to practice being able to latch on to a fast swimmer and stay there. The start is often described as a 'washing machine' - and it might take a couple of races to get used to this, as well as the cold which can take some acclimatisation. In an open water event, you'll need to 'sight' - eg make sure you're swimming in the right direction.
So practice this by aiming at buoys in a lake or stretch of sea. You'll likely be wearing a wetsuit, which means your legs are more buoyant and therefore the swim is powered largely be your arms - you can practice this by swimming without kicking in the pool. In short - when it comes to swimming, form is key.
And if you're entering an open water triathlon, don't just focus on form and fitness - practice in the open water as the technical skills of sighting and drafting can only really be learned there.
If you come from a cycling background, this might feel like the easy bit. It's also often the longest bit, and therefore the leg during which you can make up the most time. Running is weight bearing - and thus it's the discipline where people are most likely to experience injuries.
Therefore, if you're new to running it's important that you build up slowly. Adding a little core strength work into your routine may also help you to stay injury free.
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