What is a Triathlon?
Triathlon is a multi-disciplinary competition that requires participants to compete in three sporting disciplines that run sequentially and continuously. Participants begin with swimming then switch to cycling and finish with running.
Triathlon Swimming
Triathlon swimming can be simply described as swimming in the open water. It is usually a part of triathlon which also includes cycling and running. Triathlon is viewed by many as one of the hardest sports that you can engage in. This tells you that even triathlon swimming is not your ordinary swimming and so it requires some level of skill complemented by a lot of determination. Read More
Triathlon Cycling
Triathlon is a type of competition which involves multiple stages. One of those stages is triathlon cycling. It is the second stage in the competition before the athletes get into the last stage; running. You need to know the strategies that will help to increase your endurance in order to become a better cyclist. Training is paramount if you want to be an outstanding cyclist. Let’s have a look of the techniques and fitness strategies. Read More
Triathlon Running
Many people today are more concerned with their physical fitness just to ensure they stay healthy. For those who enjoy jogging, there is more for them as there are much kind of marathons that they can engage in to enhance their training skills. But if running is not enough for you; you may opt to train for triathlon. These are races that combine swimming, running and biking. Read More
Triathlon Bikes
A triathlon bike is the type of bike designed majorly for riding comfortably as well as efficiently while you are in aerodynamic posture with the elbow resting kind of aero handlebars. The geometry of these bikes helps in the transition from cycling to motion. When using them, the advanced aerodynamics leads to more comfort at the same time efficiency. Read more
Kids Triathlon
The Triathlon is a genuine triathlon including the swim-bicycle run design for children ages 4 to 15. The faces’s center is to give a triathlon experience to this age bunch in a non-focused and fun atmosphere. Read more
Types of triathlon
Winter triathlon
Winter marathon is not so much any triathlon happening in the middle of November and March in the Northern Hemisphere.Winter triathlon involves a run, mountain bike and cross country ski (langlauf) – all on snow. It is a perfect approach to learn new games, enhance your base wellness, and extend your abilities as a multisport competit.
Off-Road
The offroad triathlons are perfect for the adventurous and dirt-crazy at heart. Get ready to take out the mountain bike, prepare to run through the wild and don’t forget your swimming cap! It may be an extra challenge, but definitely worth the fun.
Aquathlon
Aquathlon is a multi-sport consisting of combinations of swimming and running. Races are continuous with no break between the two disciplines.
The official distances used at the ITU Aquathlon World Championships are 2.5km (run), 1km (swim), 2.5km (run). If water temperature is deemed to be too low, the distances are altered to 1km (swim), 5km (run).
Various Distances
Swim – run
Swim – run – swim
Duathlon
Duathlon is an athletic event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and then another running leg in a format bearing some resemblance to triathlons. The International Triathlon Union governs the sport internationally
Enticer / Novice Sprint Distance Standard Distance Long Course
Run – less than 5km Run – 5km Run – 10km Run – 10km
Ride – less than 30km Ride – 30km Ride – 40km Ride – 60km
Run – less than 5km Run – 5km Run – 5km Run – 10km
Cross country Triathlon
Cross triathlon is a set format including a Swim, Mountain Bike and Trail Run on a pre-determined, marked course and is governed by the rules and guidelines of a traditional triathlon. Put simply, it’s the on road version of the sport transposed into a bushland setting with mountain bikes and off road trail shoes.
Various Distances
Swim – 1500m
Mountain bike ride – 20-25km
Cross-country run – 6-8km
Triathlon Transition Time
In triathlons transition is the shift from one sporting discipline to another. The transition segment is timed and any second or minute saved is valuable since it will count in the end. In a triathlon there are two transitions:
First Transition (T1)
This happens when participants finish the swimming phase and are about to embark on cycling.
Second Transition (T2)
This is when the participants complete the cycling phase and embark on the final phase which is running.
Triathlon rules
While some triathlon rules differ based on a particular race venue or the governing body, some rules are universal and apply across the board. Some of the rules include:
1. No un-authorized assistance is allowed for triathletes. The only assistance that’s permitted is from race-sanctioned aid volunteers who hand out water and food on the course.
2. In the swimming sequence any style of swimming is allowed. Resting is permitted either by holding onto a floating buoy or standing and is done with the aim of preventing harm.
3. All triathletes must wear a triathlon wetsuit when swimming in water at certain temperatures.
4. A wet suit must not be more than 5 millimeters or 0.2 inches thick.
5. Wearing a helmet is mandatory while riding the bike but there are some variations of the rule depending on the jurisdiction.
6. Wearing a shirt while riding a bike is also compulsory.
7. The practice of drafting (riding very near another competitor in order to reduce wind resistance and therefore save on energy) is not allowed in triathlons and can lead to disqualification.
8. Blocking other competitors while riding to prevent them from passing is illegal.
9. Walking is allowed in the running phase of a triathlon but crawling (when three or more limbs of an athlete are coming into contact with the ground) is prohibited.
10. In the running phase all participants must wear shoes.
11. Donning a bike helmet, carrying a portable music player and mobile phones while in the running phase is prohibited.
12. A triathlete is considered to have completed a race when a part of their torso touches the finish line.
Triathlon formats
The race formats vary depending on region, target participants among other factors. Below are some of the common race formats:
Triathlon Kids of Steel
It features a swimming distance of between 100 to 750 meters (0.062 to 0.466 miles), a cycling distance of between 5 to 15 kilometers (3.1 to 9.3 miles) and a running distance of between 1 to 5 kilometers (0.62 to 3.1 miles). The variation of these distances is dependent on the ages of the athletes.
Novice Australia
This is a race format in Australia and consists of a swimming distance of 300 meters (0.18 miles), a cycling distance of 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) and a running distance of 2 kilometers (1.2 miles).
3-9-3
This a format common in New Zealand and features a swimming distance of 300 meters (0.18 miles), a cycling distance of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) and a running distance of 3 kilometers (1.86 miles).
Triathlon Gear
I already had an all around kept up street bike which I could use set up of a committed triathlon bike. Not at all like the cycling stage I didn’t have anything I could truly use for the water stage. Board shorts may be alright to surf however in a completive race they would ease me off excessively. Know more
Super Sprint triathlon
It features 400 meters (0.25 miles) of swimming, 10 kilometers (6.25 miles) of cycling and 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) of running. Know more
Novice Europe
It features 400 meters (0.25 miles) of swimming, 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of cycling and 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of running. It’s the European standard novice format.
Sprint triathlon distance
It characterized by 750 meters (0.47 miles) of swimming, 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of cycling and 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of running. Know more
Triathlon Olympic
Olympic also commonly referred to as the ‘standard course’ or the ‘international distance’ and it features 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) of swimming, 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) of cycling and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of running. Know More
ITU-Long Distance (O2)
ITU-Long Distance (O2) Also known as the Double Olympic Distance and consists of 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) of swimming, 80 kilometers (49.6 miles) of cycling and 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of running.
ITU-Long Distance (O3)
ITU-Long Distance O3 Also known as Triple Olympic Distance and comprises of 4 kilometers (2.49 miles) of swimming, 120 kilometers (74.6 miles) of cycling and 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of running.
Half triathlon
Half features 1.93 kilometers (1.2 miles) of swimming, 90 kilometers (56 miles) of cycling and 21.09 kilometers (13.1 miles) of running.
Ironman Triathlon
Iron man Triathlon is a triathlon comprising of 3.86 kilometers (2.4 miles) of swimming, 180 kilometers (112 miles) of cycling and 42.2 (26.2 miles) kilometers of running. It is organized under the aegis of the World Triathlon Corporation. With most Iron man Triathlon events, participants are required to finish all the three disciplines in 17 hours and any athlete who accomplishes this is adorned with the Ironman title. This triathlon format was originally conceived in 1977 and there are currently over 24 Iron man Triathlon races all over the world. Of all branded triathlons, Ironman Triathlon is the most recognized the world over. Know more
Triathlon Olympics
Though Triathlon is believed to have begun in France in the early 20th century, it wasn’t until 2000 that it first featured in the Olympics. This was during the Olympic Games in Sydney. Since then it has become a permanent fixture at the global sporting event. International Triathlon Union is the governing body that’s concerned with matters that are all about triathlon at the Olympics. Know more
Triathlon Training
Triathlon is one of the most popular forms of competitions which mostly involve cycling, swimming and running over given distances. The triathlon races usually vary in distance depending on the kind of competition. Being a good triathlete needs a well defined triathlon plan and guide. The workouts increase the general strength and experience of the athletes. Let’s get into the different types of plans and their significance. Know More
Triathlon Tips
Many track stars will tell you that the day of the big race is about execution. What one can deduce from this is that they would have prepared for the big stage before the big day. The same principles apply for triathlon athlete who participates in not one, but three grueling events. You don’t have to be a professional to show interest in triathlons, in fact many who participate in local events start out for the fun of it or to challenge themselves. Know More
Triathlon Nutrition & Diet
Once the preserve of snake-oil salesmen and hucksters, the world of sports supplementation is increasingly data-led these days. Real science and double-blind placebo-controlled studies are helping pinpoint specific training supplements and regimens that can help boost your endurance, performance and recovery.
As a triathlete, you’re sometimes all too painfully aware of the demands placed upon your body by regularly pushing it to its limits and beyond. Triathletes stand to benefit from the promise of supplements more than most and, needless to say, anything that can give you a healthy edge in training or competition is to be welcomed. Know More
Triathlon-Distances
To accomodate all different skill levels, there are several different distances for triathlon races. Sprint distances vary from race to race, but the other distances are consistent with the lengths shown in the table below. Read More
Types By Distance
Now a days, triathlon’s craze is increasing day by day and their types too. So,here are the complete reference for the types by distance from sprint to long distance and ironman to ultra triathlon. Know More
Triathlon Brands
Get everything you need for Triathlon Nutrition with top brands from the ……Pearl Izumi, Speedo, TYR, Adidas, ASICS, Zoot Etc.
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