A triathlon is a multisport event that involves swimming, cycling, and running as its disciplines. These disciplines are undertaken in that order, starting with a swim and ending with a run. There are also transitions between the events where the athletes restock on nutrition and change gear. We will look at these events and their lengths at different triathlon distances.
Swim
This event is taken in any water body. Small distance events like the sprint triathlon are conducted in a lap pool, while the longer distance events such as Ironman 70.3 or Ironman are taken in open waters. Some splint triathlons and Olympic distances are taken in small bays.
Participants in triathlons get to swim different distances depending on the event. For races such as sprint triathlons, athletes will swim for up to five miles while they swim for 2.4 miles in an Ironman triathlon.
For triathlon events held in a lap swimming pool, the athletes will share a snake or a lane. For triathlon events held in open water like reservoirs or lakes, there is a large group of participants on the exact cause swimming in the same direction, usually very close to each other.
What Does the Event Consist of?
As mentioned earlier, the swimming event can occur in an open water body or a pool. The organizers of the race can choose one of two options to kick start the swim:
- A group start is also referred to as a mass start. This is where all the athletes dive into the water simultaneously.
- A wave start is also referred to as a rolling start. Participants jump into the water in small groups, usually at regular intervals.
The swimming event is the most dreaded of the three events in a triathlon. While most participants might be strong in the other two events, they fear this first event.
What Should You Wear In A Swim?
The trifuction suit is the king of garments worn in a triathlon. However, the piece may not be adequate in cool or cold waters. That is mostly the case in open waters like the ocean or lakes.
It is recommended to wear a triathlon suit whenever the water temperature is below sixteen degrees. This will prevent the risk of hypothermia.
On the other hand, it is not advisable to use a wetsuit if the temperatures are above 24.5 degrees. A neoprene wetsuit is best for buoyancy provision but will tend to slow you down.
Which Swim In A Triathlon?
There aren’t any swim obligations stipulated in a triathlon. However, budding triathletes will typically go for the breaststroke because:
- It is easier to manage to breathe and spot the buoys.
- The stroke makes it easier to adjust, thus avoiding hits from other athletes.
- The style offers neophyte swimmers a safe and reassuring side.
Bike
The biking event is undertaken on a city’s paved roads. The roads will be closed off from the traffic, providing competitors with the utmost safety when riding. They will not have to navigate around cars, which can be risky. The bike rides can either start and end in the same direction or be a point to point.
Any bike will suffice for your first triathlon. After the first few events, you may consider getting yourself a new bike.
For a bike to be considered suitable for a triathlon, it has to offer comfort and speed. With a bicycle that offers both, you will enjoy the race as you will have an easy time.
Run
The run event in a triathlon is held on a groomed trail or paved roads in the town or city. The streets will be blocked from use by cars to provide the competitors an excellent avenue to run. The runs will start and end in the same direction or point-to-point.
You can use your tri shorts and tri top during the run. You will also need your running shoes and socks, with the best running shoes being those with speed laces. Ensure you have trained with them before the race. It would help if you avoided anything new during the race.
Transitions
There are only two transitions in a triathlon event:
- Transition one – Swim to bike transition
- Transition two – Bike to run transition
Swim to Bike Transition
The first transition consists of bike racks holding every athlete’s bike and gear. Here, the participants change from swimming gear, swim cup, wet suit, and goggles to biking gear such as helmets and bike shoes.
Bike to Run Transition
After completing the bike race, the triathlete will enter the second transition area. Here, the participants rack their bicycles in the area marked with their numbers. You typically leave anything you need for the run in this bike area in the morning before the race commences.
If you have a tri suit, you will only need to change to running shoes from your bike shoes. You can also use a running hat as part of your gear to reduce the effect of heat from the sun.
What Are the Common Distances for Triathlon Events?
Triathlons vary in length for the three disciplines. Below are the four basic triathlon distances:
International Olympic Guidelines
Most triathlons will follow the international Olympic guidelines. Here, the swim will be 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers). The bicycle ride will cover 24.8 miles (40 kilometers), while the run will be 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).
Ironman Triathlon
In the Ironman triathlon, the swim is the most famous discipline. This is because the swim covers 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers). The bike ride is 112 miles (180 kilometers), while the run goes up to 26 .2 miles (42.2 kilometers).
Half Ironman
As the name suggests, the activities in half ironman are half of what is there in an ironman triathlon. The swim is 1.2 miles (1.93 kilometers), the bike race is 56 miles (90 kilometers), and the run is 13 miles (21 kilometers).
Mini Triathlon
A mini-triathlon is called an even sprint. The swim is 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers), the bike ride is 15 miles (24 kilometers), and the run is 3 miles (5 kilometers). The event will also require as much preparation and effort as the rest as it is equally arduous.
