What is a Triathlon?

Triathlon is a sport in which the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running are performed consecutively, and usually in that order.  A competitor’s finishing time is the cumulative clocking of the three segments, plus the time taken to change clothing and equipment between each of the segments. 

The recognized competitive distance are as follows, though many race directors create their own unique distances and formats to suite the venue and the need of their athletes;

The sprint distance – 750 m swim, 12.4-mile bike and a 5k or 3.1 mile run

The triathlon (Olympic or Classic) distance – 1.5km swim, 24.8-mile bike, and 10km or 6.2 mile run.

Half Ironman distance – 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1 mile (half marathon) run.

Ironman Distance – 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2 mile (marathon) run.

The youth and junior distances are a follows:

7 – 10 years – 100m swim, 3.1-mile bike, .6 mile or 1km run.

11-14 years – 200 m swim, 6.2-mile bike, 2km run

13 –15 years – 400 m swim, 6.2-mile bike, 2.5km run

16 – 19 years – 750m swim, 12.4-mile bike, 3.1 mile run

18 - 23 years - 1.5km swim, 24.8-mile bike, 6.2-mile run