All you need to know about triathlon

Triathlon is an Olympic sport, the essence of which lies in the successive passage of three stages, each of which represents a separate sport (swimming, cycling, running). Triathlon is very popular among both men and women. What features does this discipline have?

General information

A triathlon is a one-day race that includes three stages: a swim, a bike race and a run. The order of the stages is always the same due to safety requirements. Logically, it can be assumed that there are certain health risks in triathlon distances due to fatigue of the athlete. A tired athlete may simply drown or fall off the bike hard enough, in this case creating a fall hazard for other athletes on the course. That is why the most potentially dangerous stages of the race are held in the first place, when the athlete is still full of energy and concentrated. Of course, a triathlete could also fall while running, but the risk of injury in this case is minimal.

In 2000, triathlon in the format of 1,500 m swimming + 40 km cycling + 10 km running entered the Olympic program.

Distances: IronMan

Traditionally, there are four distances depending on their length: Sprint, Olympic, Half IronMan and IronMan.

IronMan is the distance held since 1978. It is alternatively referred to as ironman 140.6 (by the number of miles), triathlon 226 (by the number of kilometers). The full IronMan is considered one of the most difficult competitions in the world.

All tracks in IronMan have a different configuration and degree of intensity of a particular stage. For example, cycling can take place on a prepared track or on a highway, and swimming can be held in natural bodies of water as well as in swimming pools. Accordingly, the results vary from track to track.

Distances: Half IronMan

As you understood from the name, this distance is half of the most difficult. It is also called triathlon 70.3 (by the number of miles), triathlon 113 (by the number of kilometers). This race has been held since 2005. The main reason for its appearance was the desire to make triathlon more popular. It is also believed that half IronMan is a preparatory stage for the full distance.

Distances: Olympic triathlon and Sprint

Sprint seems to be the easiest type of triathlon, but it is not true. Athletes simply do not have time to redistribute their strength, so the methodology of covering this distance it is fundamentally different. As for the Olympic triathlon, it is well-known all over the world. What peculiarities does it have?

Competitions

Prior to 2016, athletes competed for 2 sets of Olympic awards (men and women competed separately). Japan gave the start to a new kind of triathlon. The first mixed team relay was held in Tokyo.

Thus, the program of the Summer Olympic Games includes three disciplines of triathlon:

• individual race (men),
• individual race (women),
• mixed relay.

An individual race is held in 3 stages:

• swimming – 1500 meters,
• cycling – 40 km,
• running – 10 km.

As for the team race, it is held in a relay format. The team consists of four people (two men and two women). Each participant goes through all three stages, then passes the baton. The distance of the Olympic relay in triathlon is different from the “standard”. The swimming distance is 300 meters long, the cycling race lasts for 8 km, and the running distance is 2 km.

The race

All triathlon competitions are held in the same sequence. The first stage is swimming. Swimming is carried out in open water. Competitors start from the pontoon. The race begins in a form of a simultaneous mass start.

The second stage is cycling. After leaving the water athlete changes clothes, takes his or her bike and begins the second part of the triathlon distance.

Before the running stage athletes visit the transit zone one more time. Here they leave their cycling equipment and begin the ten-meter cross-country.

Rules

Each stage of the competitions has its own rules. When swimming, sportsmen can choose their swimming style. The aim is to get to the finish line of the stage. It is allowed to wear a snorkel and a wetsuit, as well as grasp the surrounding objects in case the athlete begins to drown. It is not allowed, however, to wear flippers and paddles for swimming.

When cycling, athletes are allowed to repair the bike themselves. In case of a breakdown, run beside it without leaving it on the side of the road. They cannot leave the bicycle on the side of the road or use an engine of any kind. Riding without a helmet is strictly prohibited.

When running, sportsmen can choose the style of running that fits them best. What they cannot do is cause any hazard to their fellow competitors.

In triathlon, there are transit zones. There are two of them in total. These are special places where you change outfits: from swimming to cycling clothes, from cycling suit to running outfit. You can take a rest there: sit, stand, snack, put on sunscreen. The main thing is to stay out of the way of other athletes.

Clothes

It is necessary to have an outfit for each stage of the competitions. It is necessary to wear a wetsuit that suits the temperature of the water. A swimming cap with numbers is given by the organizers.

For the cycling part, you will need a road bike and a bicycle helmet. Sport clothes is needed for both running and cycling.

Many athletes use cycling shoes along with contact pedals and cycling goggles for the best cycling performance. The most important part of a running outfit is the triathlon sneakers. They should be perfect for long runs. In hot weather, it is necessary to use a headgear to protect yourself from the sun.

Winter triathlon

Winter triathlon includes running, mountain bike cross-country and cross-country skiing. This type of triathlon is not included in the Olympic program, although there are opinions that the winter marathon will also be included as one of the competitive disciplines.

There are two types of winter triathlon: classic and Russian. The only difference is that the Russian winter triathlon includes a slightly different set of disciplines: speed skating sprint, skiing and running. Since 2013, the distances of the multisport stages were approved as followed: running = 5 km, cycling = 12 km, skiing = 8 km.

History

The first references to triathlon-like competitions are found in the French newspaper “L’Auto”, dating back to 1920. The newspaper reports the competition under the name: “Les Trois Sports”, which is rendered in English as “the three sports”.

The competition included a 3 km run, a 12 km bicycle race, and crossing the canal of the Marne River by swimming. Races like that were held in many parts of France in the 20s, 30s of the 20^th century. Competitions had neither unified regulations, nor a common name. Courses differed from each other. France laid the groundwork for the formation of triathlon, but did not become its birthplace.

The history of triathlon began in the United States. The birthplace of modern triathlon is considered the city of San Diego (California). In 1974, a group of friends organized a sports club for joint training. Runners, swimmers and cyclists became members of the club. The cyclists invited the runners to their workouts. Runners arranged joint workouts for swimmers and so on.

Such fascinating workouts invariably gave rise to disputes, which was the toughest. There was only one way to find out who was the strongest – to hold a competition.

Two friends, Jack Johnstone and Don Shanahan, took up the challenge. The first triathlon competition was held on September 25, 1974. Athletes consider this date the birthday of triathlon. At the start were 46 participants. The first race included a 6-mile run, a 5-mile bike ride and a 500-yard open-water swim.

The next remarkable race was held on February 18, 1978, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, USA. Fifteen athletes went to the start, 12 of them finished the race. Gordon Haller became world famous as the first Ironman. The first “iron man” stopped the stopwatch at 11 hours, 46 minutes, 58 seconds.

The news of the Hawaiian triathlon spread around the world. “Ironman” was rapidly gaining popularity. The Hawaiian Triathlon competition became an annual event, and the course was called the “Classic” course. The classic distance is the longest and most challenging in modern sports.

Nevertheless, in order for the triathlon to be included in the Olympic program, the distance had to be shortened. In 1989, representatives of 30 national federations founded the International Triathlon Union (ITU). To make the race commercially interesting for television broadcasts, they developed a new competition format: swimming (1.5 km), cycling (40 km), running (10 km). The distance was called “standard”. In August 1989, the first World Championship was held under new rules.

All in all, triathlon is a discipline that combines the best features of swimming, running and cycling. It is very popular all over the world.