All the distances of triathlon, from Super Sprint to IRONMAN (and beyond)

Triathlon is difficult to prepare and often to complete, but very easy to explain: it is the union of three disciplines, to be carried out one after another: swimming, cycling and running (with special transition areas and change of equipment between one discipline to another). The origin of triathlon is unclear: certainly, in 1901, in the French town of Joinville-le-Pont, just outside Paris, an event known as Les Trois Sports was organized, but in which, besides running and swimming, a canoe was used. In the following decades, the paddle movement was replaced by swimming, and already during the twentieth century this new and triple sport crossed the French borders, finding a more modern form at an event organized in 1974 in Mission Bay, southern California.

Shortly after, also in the seventies, thanks to a couple from California (Judy and John Collins) was born in Hawaii what is still the most famous and widespread version of triathlon: the IRONMAN, whose first race was in 1978, by the union of a swimming competition, one of cycling and one of running. Olympic discipline from Sydney 2000, triathlon has known many declinations and evolutions over the years, and today there are many distances, from sprints to those that in length and context even surpass IRONMAN, already an extreme form of triathlon.

For those who want to start - and maybe, year after year, get to the most extreme trials - or even just for those who want to rehash a little between many names not always immediately understood - here’s an agile guide:

Super Sprint

The shorter and more accessible format of the triple discipline, of which there are and have been all kinds of distances, even shorter, often reserved for young practitioners. 

Swimming: 400 meters

Bike: 10 km

Running: 2.5 km

Sprint Triathlon

The Sprint Triathlon is the most common distance among short ones, ideal for beginners or those who prefer intensity to resistance.

Swimming: 750 meters

Bike: 20 km

Running: 5 km

Olympic Triathlon

The Olympic Games' event, as the name suggests. Since Tokyo 2020, medals have also been awarded in a special team event. In IRONMAN context, the test is known as 5150 (from the total of the total kilometers - 51.50 - of the tests):

Swimming: 1.5 km

Bike: 40 km

Running: 10 km

Half IRONMAN (70.3)

The IRONMAN, also known as 70.3. The name comes from the sum of the total number of land miles traveled in the three disciplines, 70.3 miles (1.2 by swimming, 56 by cycling and 13.1 by running), equal to 113 kilometers:

Swimming: 1.9 km

Bike: 90 km

Run: 21.1 km (half marathon)

IRONMAN

The endurance triathlon par excellence, the quintessence of a test that becomes physical and mental endurance. Born in Hawaii in 1978, the IRONMAN is today an icon of the sporting world, able to attract both amateurs and professionals eager to complete one of the most demanding races on a total distance of 140.6 miles (226 kilometers):

Swimming: 3.8 km

Bike: 180 km

Running: 42.2 km (marathon)

And beyond:

For those who are not satisfied with swimming almost 4 kilometers, cycling for 180 and then running a whole marathon, there are even more extreme tests, the so-called ultra triathlon. There are those who have faced the challenge on double, triple and quadruple distances of the IRONMAN, and who have reached the equivalent of ten IRONMAN (taking the necessary and more than deserved breaks along the way). And there are even those who have tried to do an IRONMAN per day for several days afterwards.

In addition to the great variety of IRONMAN events - there are dozens, and there is at least one on each continent - there are other famous extreme triathlon events around the world. Like the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, which is held in Norway, on a course with great differences of altitude and often adverse weather conditions.

For the most extreme - and lonely, since it is not a race but a personal challenge - there is even the Enduroman, an epic challenge also known as "Arch to Arc". It is planned to start from Marble Arch in London and arrive at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. From London to Dover, you run (140 kilometres), then swim across the Channel (33 to 40 kilometres) and finally cycle from Calais to Paris (about 290 kilometres). In all, no less than 460 kilometers.

Apart from increasing distances, there are also triathlons that change the disciplines: it is the case of cross triathlon, where the fraction of cycling is in MTB and running is done on mountain trails. And there are also those who, not satisfied by only three disciplines, have added others, until they arrive - for example - at the "Steelman": a race (whose name is clearly inspired by that of IRONMAN) which includes eight events: running, swimming, kayaking, "strenght" (a test of strength), MTB, "secret" (a surprise test), "rowing" (on fixed rowing machines) and finally "hybrid wod" (a set of exercises related to cross training).