When thinking about competing in a triathlon, some of the first questions you probably ask are ‘how long is an Olympic triathlon?’, ‘how far do you swim for a triathlon?’ or ‘how many miles is a triathlon?’. At Kitbrix we are here to answer all of your questions so you can find the perfect triathlon race to suit your ability, and get racing!
So, what is a triathlon exactly?
A triathlon is a multi-sport event consisting of three separate disciplines completed one directly after the other. The most common order that triathlons are competed in is swimming - transition 1 - cycling - transition 2 - running. The transitions are usually skimmed over, but they are definitely worth accounting for as they are just as much of the sport as the three disciplines. Transitions can make or break your finishing time!
Another important thing to note, is there isn’t just one length of triathlon! Triathlons can vary greatly in distance and location, which is what makes this the well-loved and inclusive sport it is. The cycling third of the triathlon is typically the longest, running somewhere in the middle and the swimming third the shortest, the bit that everyone worries about most!
The four most common triathlon lengths are the Sprint Triathlon, the Standard (also known as the Olympic) Triathlon, the Half-Ironman (also known as 70.3) Triathlon, and lastly the longest, the Ironman Triathlon...
How long is a Super Sprint Triathlon?
The Super Sprint Triathlon is perfect if you are just starting out as it involves the shortest distances. Competing in a Super Sprint Triathlon will give you a feel for the race without crossing your limits. Super Sprint Triathlons also make a great way to practice leading up to the longer distance races!
Miles
- 0.3 mile swim
- 6.2 mile bike
- 1.6 mile run
Kilometres
- 400 meter swim
- 10 kilometre bike
- 2.5 kilometre run
How long is a Sprint Triathlon?
Miles
- 0.465 mile swim
- 12.5 mile bike
- 3.1 mile run
Kilometres
- 750 meter swim
- 20 kilometre bike
- 5 kilometre run
How long is a Standard/Olympic Triathlon?
Miles
- 0.93 mile swim
- 25 mile bike
- 6.2 mile run
Kilometres
- 1.5 kilometre swim
- 40 kilometre bike
- 10 kilometre run
How long is a Half-Ironman or 70.3 Triathlon?
Miles
- 1.2 mile swim
- 56 mile bike
- 13.1 mile run
Kilometres
- 1.9 kilometre swim
- 90 kilometre bike
- 21.1 kilometre run
How long is an Ironman Triathlon?
The Ironman is one of the toughest sporting events out there. Pushing your body to its limits with the distance covered and the disciplines involved. The swimming third of the Ironman also typically involves open water swimming. Don’t sign up to this one lightly!
Miles
- 2.4 mile swim
- 112 mile bike
- 26.2 mile run
Kilometres
- 3.8 kilometre swim
- 180.2 kilometre bike
- 42.2 kilometre run
If after reading this you are thinking ‘I can’t swim for that long’ or ‘cycling really isn’t my thing but I still want to compete’, well there’s a race for you to! A Duathlon is a race that sandwiches cycling between two blocks of running; run - transition 1 - bike - transition 2- run. Alternatively, an Aquathlon is similar but with swimming; run - transition 1 - swim - transition 2 - run.
