What are the various triathlon distances?
Even if you’re not a sports fanatic, triathlons are compelling to watch. Just the idea that someone has the fortitude to swim, bike and run for dozens — sometimes hundreds — of miles is fascinating . So, what are the various triathlon distances? The length of a triathlon may vary, but there are four basic lengths: • The most common triathlon distance follows international Olympic guidelines: A swim of 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers), a bicycle route of 24.8 miles (40 kilometers) and a run of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). • An Ironman Triathlon, perhaps the event’s most famous race, is a 2.4-mile (3.9-kilometer) swim, a 112-mile (180-kilometer) bike ride and a 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) marathon. • A Half Ironman is comprised of a swim/bike/run of 1.2 miles (1.93 kilometers), 56 miles (90 kilometers) and 13 miles (21 kilometers), respectively. • Even “sprint,” or mini-triathlons, are still arduous, requiring a 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) swim, 15-mile (24-kilometer) bike ride and 3-mile (5-kilo