RTA Triathlon
  • Home
  • SERVICES
    • COACHING PROGRAMS
    • 1 ON 1 SESSIONS
    • Triathlon Starter Package
    • TRAINING CAMPS >
      • Lake Placid
      • Florida
    • CLINICS >
      • Open Water Swim Clinics
      • Triathlon Transition Clinic
      • Bike Skills Clinic
    • CORPORATE / CHARITY
  • TRI CLUB
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG

BLOG

Triathlon Distances

11/5/2021

0 Comments

 

4 Common Triathlon Distances

Picture
Do you want to do a triathlon? There are a variety of distances to suit your goals.

We recommend starting with a shorter distance first, even if your ultimate goal is a longer race.
Taking this approach, allows you to gain valuable race and training experience. This is important, because the longer the race, the more exponentially costly mistakes become. Most importantly, you will have a significantly better race experience when you finally decide to "go long."

In triathlon there are 4 main distances. Sometimes they are modified by the race director, but generally speaking here is what you can expect. 
Sprint Triathlon
Swim .5 mi, Bike 12 mi, Run 3.1 mi 
(“Sprint” distances vary the most)

Olympic Triathlon
Swim .9 mi, Bike 24.8 mi, Run 6.2 mi
(Swim 1.5k, Bike 40k, Run 10k)

Half
Swim 1.2 mi, Bike 56 mi, Run 13.1 mi
(aka “Half-iron, Half Ironman® or 70.3®)

Full
Swim 2.4 mi, Bike 112 mi, Run 26.2 mi
(aka Ironman®, Iron-distance or 140.6)

PRO Tip: Although it is commonly confused, IRONMAN® is NOT synonymous with the word triathlon. Triathlon is the actual sport and triathlons generally offer 4 common distances as shown above. 

While IRONMAN® is the name / brand of a company that produces triathlons, it is commonly used to describe the iron-distance (140.6 mile) version of a triathlon. Avoid calling ALL distance triathlons, an IRONMAN® to avoid confusion and to demonstrate your competency. 

The word IRONMAN® has slowly become the "BAND-AID®" (adhesive bandage) for triathlon.


Incorrect:
You: "I did an ironman this weekend"
Friend: "Wow! That's amazing. What was the distance?"
You: "It was a .5 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run."
Friend: "Impressive. I don't think I could ever do that."

Correct:
You: "I did an sprint triathlon this weekend"
Friend: "Wow! That's amazing. What was the distance?"
You: "It was a .5 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run."
Friend: "Impressive. I don't think I could ever do that."

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    BEGINNER
    BIKE
    Cross Training
    Mental Fitness
    Notes From Coach
    Nutrition
    Racing
    Recovery
    RTA Virtual Rides
    RUN
    Strength & Conditioning
    SUCCESS
    SWIM
    Team Challenge
    TEAM RACES
    TRAINING
    WEBINARS
    Women In Triathlon

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

RTA Triathlon

RTA is a comprehensive triathlon coaching organization and fully supported USAT sanctioned triathlon club. 

We are based in Ridgewood, NJ and coach triathletes of all abilities from across the country. 
 

​Our mission is to make you a better triathlete.

Contact us when you're ready to take your "game" to the next level.
ABOUT US

    Become a Better Triathlete

    Free tips and resources on training, racing and recovery to help you conquer your next big race.

    ​PLUS we'll send you "6 Proven Ways to Perform Better" (infographic). 

    No spam, we promise.
Sign Up

    Contact Us

    How can we help you? What are your goals?
Submit

Quick Links

FREE TRAINING CONSULT

COACHING PROGRAMS

1 ON 1 TRAINING SESSIONS

TRIATHLON CLUB

TRIATHLON TRAINING CAMPS

TRIATHLON CLINICS

ABOUT US

​BLOG

CONTACT

Let's get social

Picture
RTA Triathlon
​Copyright © 2022
  • Home
  • SERVICES
    • COACHING PROGRAMS
    • 1 ON 1 SESSIONS
    • Triathlon Starter Package
    • TRAINING CAMPS >
      • Lake Placid
      • Florida
    • CLINICS >
      • Open Water Swim Clinics
      • Triathlon Transition Clinic
      • Bike Skills Clinic
    • CORPORATE / CHARITY
  • TRI CLUB
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG