A triathlon is a multiple-stage competition involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances.
The order of a traditional triathlon swim/bike/run is based on two things: safety issues and smooth transitions. All race organizers want to keep their participants safe. Triathlons are grueling tests of endurance, but they shouldn’t put anyone’s life at stake.
How long is an Olympic triathlon?
Triathlon Distances
| Name | Swim | Bike |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint | 0.5mi (750m) | 12.4mi (20km) |
| Olympic / 5150 | 0.93mi (1.5km) | 24.8mi (40km) |
| ITU Long | 1.86mi (3km) | 49.6mi (80km) |
| Half / 70.3 | 1.2mi (1.9km) | 56mi (90km) |
What does a triathlon entail?
In the late 1980s, a 1.5 kilometer swim, 40 kilometer bike ride and a 10 kilometer run (0.9 miles swimming, 24.8 miles of cycling and 6.2 miles of running) was often called “International-Distance Triathlon” because that distance was accepted as the international standard and used at the first Triathlon World.
