If you've always fancied trying a triathlon but thought the task too challenging, did you know that triathlons come in different distances? From beginner friendly sprint races, to the iconic Ironman, you can find a combination that works for you.
What is triathlon?
A triathlon is a multi-sport endurance event that combines three disciplines - swimming, cycling and running - in one continuous race. Athletes complete each section back to back, with timed transitions in between, testing overall fitness, stamina, and race strategy.
Although there’s evidence of triathlon taking place in 1920s France, the modern-day swim, bike and run sport as we know it began in 1974 in California. Ironman – triathlon’s most iconic race organiser – followed in Hawaii in 1978, before tri reached British shores in 1983. Its Olympic Games journey began at Sydney 2000 and Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee became household names after winning medals at London 2012.
Do you need to be superhuman to do a triathlon?
My Sunday football career, if that’s the right word, left me with “the knees of a 70-year-old” by the age of 30. Enter triathlon. I’ve since trundled through 40 multisport events of every distance, all with less than five hours of exercise a week, an adversity to gyms, a love of pies and a relaxed approach to aerodynamics.
My friends are always surprised at the array of shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels of the triathletes on the start line and the friendly atmosphere – proof that tri isn’t just for sculpted and ultra-serious superhumans. Unlike their dad, my children are now budding triathletes, too.
How long is a triathlon?
Here are the regular distances, with the average finishing times following:
- Starter triathlon - 200m pool swim/5km bike/1km run - 30 mins
- Super sprint - 400m swim/10km bike/2.5km run - 60 mins
- Sprint - 750m swim/20km bike/5km run - 90 mins
- Olympic - 1.5km swim/40km bike/10km run - 3:15 hrs
- Middle / Ironman 70.3 - 1.9km swim/90km bike/21.1km run - 6–7 hours
- Long / Ironman - 3.8km swim/180km bike/42.2km run - 13–15 hours
How do I find a beginner triathlon?
Taking place in lakes, rivers, the sea and docks, the open-water swim is often the major cause of pre-race butterflies. Starting with a swimming pool-based event is the answer. British Triathlon oversees many untimed and beginner-friendly ‘Swim Bike Run’ events year-round, with some priced at £5 and involving distances of a 25m swim/1km bike/1km run to encourage newcomers. Why not have a look yourself.
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Are there any alternative triathlons?
Worried by the swim? Don’t have a bike? Handily there’s a wealth of alternatives to get you into the multisport groove. The run/bike/run sport of duathlon often takes place in spring and autumn. Aquabike drops tri’s run leg for a swim/bike combo, while aquathlon ditches the bike discipline for a swim/run event. There’s also swimrun, which often involves navigating coastlines. Swimrun Gower (20 June) and the Scilly Swimrun (July and August, pictured) are recommended swimrun events.
Am I too old to do a triathlon?
One of my favourite interviewees was Arthur Gilbert, the Somerset stalwart who started tri at 66 and was still racing at 92. Many youth races, meanwhile, start at the age of six, with Hever Castle in Kent (below) hosting the world’s largest children’s tri in September. The beauty of tri is the variation it offers. Pool busy? Try a parkrun. Legs aching? Go for a swim. You’ll soon be hooked.
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Will my legs survive a triathlon?
To get your legs prepared for the weird sensation of cycling after swimming and running after cycling, brick sets are triathlon’s most important training session. These involve doing two or three of the disciplines, most commonly a bike/run combo. Just running for five minutes after a longer stint on the exercise bike has worked for me. Also, practise the transition process of getting changed between the swim-to-bike and bike-to-run disciplines to help you prepare for race day.
What's the best kit for a triathlon?
With three sports to buy kit for, triathlon can initially be expensive. Scan eBay, Gumtree and Vinted for second-hand kit or Zone3, Decathlon and HUUB Design for new. Aside from the bike, the most vital piece of kit is the tri-suit. You’ll wear this stretchy Lycra garment (pictured) on the swim, bike and run, with the padded chamois offering comfort on a bicycle saddle.
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What is the best bike for a triathlon?
A road bike is the most common bike seen at shorter races (tri-bikes are for when things get more serious). But most race organisers will allow other types (apart from electric bikes), such as mountain bikes and hybrids. Again, the used bike market is handy here.
What are some of the best triathlons in the UK?
Getting into triathlon gives you even more of an excuse to travel the length of Britain and beyond. Take your pick from swimming in glacial lakes in the Cairngorms at the Aviemore Triathlon (13 Sept), cycling around historical residences at Blenheim (6–7 June, pictured) and Windsor Triathlons (14 June) or running through the Dinorwig slate quarries at the Slateman (14 June). Also recommended are the Deva Divas in Chester (5 July, women only), Croyde Ocean Triathlon (12 July) and Bala Triathlon (6 Sept).
