What Are Common Triathlon Distances for Swimming, Biking, and Running?
People who look to stay physically fit will often challenge themselves in various activities that take a good combination of strength, skill, agility, balance, and endurance to complete. One noted activity or event that many looking to improve their physical fitness will take on is a triathlon. Learn exactly what a triathlon is, as well as common triathlon distances for various triathlon events below.
What Exactly is a Triathlon?
A triathlon is a type of multisport endurance race that really tests the endurance, strength, and skill of those who participate in it. That is because this event consists of the continuous activities of swimming, cycling, and running over extended distances. These events are completed in one “sprint” to where all three activities must be completed successfully in the fastest time possible in order to win such an event over other competitors.
The Various Triathlon Distances for Swimming, Biking, and Running
There are various triathlon events that incorporate swimming, biking, and running into its competition. Each of these events will have varying lengths where participants must swim, bike, and run in order to complete the course and potentially win the competition. Some of the most well-known triathlon events are the Super Sprint, Sprint, Olympic, Half Ironman, and Ironman competitions. Each of these competitions have specific distances of swimming, biking, and racing.
The Super Sprint has the shortest distances, corresponding to 0.25 miles (400 meters) of swimming, 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) of biking, and 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) of running.
The next level up in terms of distance Is the Sprint, consisting of 0.5 miles (750 meters) of swimming, 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) of biking, and 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) of running.
The third level is the Olympic, consisting of 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers) of swimming, 24.8 miles (40 kilometers) of biking, and 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) of running.
The second-highest level of triathlon competition is the Half Ironman, consisting of 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) of swimming, 56 miles (90 kilometers) of biking, and 13.1 miles (21.1 kilometers) or running.
The highest level of triathlon competition is the Ironman, consisting of 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometers) of swimming, 112 miles (180 kilometers) of biking, and 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers) of running.
