Getting Started

 

Triathlon is normally a continuous multisport event. That is the time starts when you start the swim or run and finishes when you cross the finish line. Sometimes due to safety considerations an event may not be continuous in which case it is a series of closely spaced time trials with times added together.

 

There are combinations of events.

 

Triathlon is swim, bike, run

Aquathlon which is swim, run

Duathlon which is Run, bike, run

Biathlon which is swim, bike (these are rare).

 

You will need to be able to swim the distance, cycle safely, with a bike in good condition and wearing an approved cycle helmet, and run.

Typical Race Distances for Young People’s Triathlons (varies on surface, grass or Tarmac)

 

Age/ Class

Swim m

Cycle m

Run m

Finish Times, mins

8

50-60

1000-1200

400-600

7-10

9/10     T1

100-150

2000-3000

1000-1500

11-25

11/12   T2

200

3000-4000

1500-2000

15-30

13/14    T3

300-400

4800-6000

2000-3000

21-45

15/16 Youth

300-750

6000-10000

2400-5000

20-60

Times include Transition Swim-Bike, Bike-Run, and depend on the course length and conditions. They are taken from the National series results 2001 which was a typical range of events.

 

Most Children’s events consist of a grass cycle route for all or part of it, there is little advantage to be gained by having a road racing bike at least until 12 years old, and even then they may not suit a potentially muddy course. Any type of 2 wheeled bike which is in good condition ie right size, brakes and gears work, wheels are intact will be suitable for at least the first year.

 

Obviously the distances are adjusted if the event is aquathlon, duathlon etc.

Adult races are also multiples of the distances

Name

Swim m

Cycle m

Run m

Finish Times, mins

Sprint

300-750

9-12000

4000-6000

30 - 90

Standard/ Olympic

1500

20000

10000

50-120

Half Iron man

3000ish

50-60 miles

11.5 miles

4-10 hrs

Ironman

5800

112 miles

23 miles

8-17 hrs

DecaIronman

10 x

Ironman

Distances!

Days

Sprints tend to be pool based swim, although some sprints are open water

Deca too tends to be pool based but with few competitors this is manageable

There are all sorts of competitions with distances outside these bands, it depends on the location and availability of roads, tracks etc some are biased towards cyclists or runners with shorter swims, eg sprint swim, standard bike/ run.

Adults too dont need a racing bike for their first race, basically all sorts of bikes can be seen in transition