Which Triathlon Is Right for You?
Ready to become a triathlete, but not sure how far to go? Keep reading!
At its core, any event where you swim, bike, and run is a triathlon. However, there’s lots of different kinds of triathlon distances you can choose from, each with their pros & cons. Here, I’ll break down the common distances to give you a better idea of which one to sign up for.
Sprint
Swim: .47 miles (750m)
Bike: 12 miles (20km)
Run: 3.1 (5k)
The shortest of all common triathlon distances, a Sprint is a fast and fun way to dip your toes into the sport without making a huge commitment. You don’t have to commit a ton of time to training if you’re just looking to cross the finish line without worrying too much about the time. You also don’t have to invest a ton of money into the latest & greatest gear for such a relatively short distance.
It’s also great for experienced triathletes who like to go fast. Like the name suggests, it’s short enough that you can really sprint through each of the legs until the very end. If you like to go as fast as you possibly can in a short period of time, then a sprint triathlon might be the perfect distance for you.
If you’re looking for the absolute lowest commitment to jump in, check out the Divvy Super Sprint at the Chicago Triathlon. It’s even shorter than a sprint and you don’t even have to own a bike!
Olympic (International)
Swim: .93 miles (1.5km)
Bike: 25 miles (40km)
Run: 6.2 (10k)
One of the most common triathlon distances is the distance that triathletes compete in at the Olympics (as the name suggests). You might also hear this called the “International distance” at certain events. It’s longer than a Sprint, but still short enough to allow for quick bursts of energy on the course making for a fast field with slightly more of a challenge than a Sprint.
This is a great distance for beginner triathletes who already feel strong in at least two out of the three disciplines or if you’ve already tri’ed a Sprint and you’re now looking to tackle something longer without committing to an endurance event. The Olympic distance is also perfect for an experienced triathlete looking to race in a large, fast field that will push you to get your personal best times!
70.3 (Half-Ironman)
Swim: 1.2 miles (1.9km)
Bike: 56 miles (90km)
Run: 13.1 (21.1k)
If you add up all the distances of each of the disciplines in this race, then you get 70.3 It’s also known as a Half-Ironman since it is half the distance of a full Ironman course (as the name suggests). This is the kind of event where slow & steady really does win the race and you really have to start thinking about pacing if you want to be able to finish.
This distance is certainly doable for a beginner, you’ll just have to devote a lot more time to training if you want to comfortably finish since a 70.3 is over four times longer than a sprint triathlon. Also, while you can finish with any kind of equipment you might already have, investing in higher quality gear will make the race easier & more comfortable in the long-run. If you’re training to complete a full Ironman, you might want to consider working a 70.3 race into your training plan to get practice with race-day pacing, atmosphere & transitions.
Ironman
Swim: 2.4 miles (3.86km)
Bike: 112 miles (180.25km)
Run: 26.2 (42.2k)
The ultimate distance for triathletes is the Ironman. Even the top athletes in the world can expect to spend over 7 or 8 hours on this course and the average finish time clocks in at around 12 and a half hours. So like spending the better part of your day racing and you’re looking for the ultimate test of your physical & mental endurance, then an Ironman will be right up your alley!
Since 140.6 is double the distance of a 70.3, expect to commit a lot of time to training just to finish this race. While you can do this distance as your first foray into triathlons, it's a huge commitment to make (financially & time-wise) before you even know if you like the sport. However, if you have a few triathlons under your belt already and you’ve got equipment that makes you feel comfortable & confident, an Ironman could be your next challenge!
