What Are the Different Triathlon Distances?
There are several different triathlon distances, which make it possible for athletes of all skill levels to participate in the sport competitively. For instance, beginner athletes can compete in what are known as try-a-tri races or the slightly more advanced sprint races. For more skilled athletes, there are the longer Olympic triathlon races. Finally, seasoned athletes can compete in half-distance and full-distance triathlons. Athletes looking to start competing in triathlons can compete in a try-a-tri race to determine if the sport is right for them. There are no set distances for these races, but in general, the swim tends to be about 1,000-1,300 feet (about 300-400 m) range, the run is typically about 2 miles (about 3 km), and the biking leg is generally no more than about 10 miles (about 15 km).
