What is Triathlon?

Triathlon, as most people know it, consists of three sports completed consecutively. Swimming often is first, then cycling and then running or walking. Some triathlons, however, put swimming last. There also are winter triathlons and hybrids that incorporate skiing, running and mountain biking. Nevertheless, there are four main distances: 1) Sprint, 2) Olympic or international, 3) Half Ironman or 70.3 and 4) Ironman or 140.6.

Sprint: 300-700 meter/yard swim
10-15 mile bike
3 mile/5k run or walk

Olympic: 1500 meter swim
24-28 mile bike
6.2 mile/10k run

Half Ironman: 1.2 mile swim
56 mile bike
13.1 mile run

Ironman: 2.4 mile swim
112 mile bike
26.2 mile run

+ Note: Distances can vary slightly.

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