All Triathlon Distances Explained!

Are you thinking about getting into triathlon or signing up for an event? Which distance should you pick? There are multiple triathlon distances available to choose from. Mark and James explain a short history behind the emergence of triathlon and outline the main triathlon event distances, all in under 10 minutes!
00:00 Intro
00:24 History of triathlon
01:57 Ironman triathlon distance
03:15 Half-Ironman distance
04:39 Olympic triathlon distance
06:29 Sprint triathlon distance
07:11 Super sprint triathlon distance
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[@Cookiet16]

Cracking shot of Mark and Sammy the squirrel from 4:00 to 4:08 😀

[@mikew6840]

As a student in the late 80s, triathlons of varying distances seemed to attract far more weekend warriors than now. It was before the days of extreme bicycle tech - most of us just used our steel frame “racing” bikes (student commuter bikes, lol). I think the high bike overheads became a deterrent to those who couldn’t afford it.

[@rafaelmarques-gg9kf]

The disproportionate increasing costs put people off. Especially with the mark up on everything cycling

[@RewildingFlanders]

I have my very first triathlon coming next week on sunday. It is a 750m swim, 38km bike and 10,5km run. So an Olympic distance but with a sprint-swim. It is called the City Triathlon of Leuven. Wish me luck ;-)

[@JimCullen]

A triathlon I did a couple of years ago has announced that this year they're doing a reverse Olympic triathlon. 10 km run, 40 km ride, 1500 m swim, in that order. Seems kinda crazy to me, but an interesting way to add variety compared to the more popular events.

[@andriabrickman9780]

I’ve done an “adventure” triathlon, it was a kayak (or canoe for a team of two), a mountain bike trail ride and a trail run. Have also done plenty of Olympic distance and sprint distance. Lately I’m doing the swim bike options that are available as my knees don’t let me run any longer, but I’m glad I can still participate. I also love being part of relay teams!

[@donball370]

As I am a "sinker" and not a swimmer, have got into Sprint Duathlons. A good step up from Park runs.

[@WarriorForChrist424]

I did my first Triathlon last year. Did the Olympic Triathlon. Looking to try the Half, and the Full Ironman distances at least once.

[@allynshaw2786]

Great summary. Thanks. I’m working towards a 70.3 in 2025. I’ve decided to do some sprint/Olympic this year and also split (kind of) the 70.3 into 3 races and complete them this year: 5k open water swim, Century ride and 1/2 marathon.

[@desroin]

My first Triathlon was a 400m swim, 18.5km bike and a 4km run. I always love the "everyone" triathlons as we call them since they tend to have rather "difficult" (as in lots of elevation gain and/or lots of extremely technical all the way to rather dangerous roads on the bike) bike and/or run parts over the short distances. That being said for me it's Olympic for this year as the main focus :x

[@bellabella1028]

I've done a few sprint tris, this year hoping for Olympic distances (but not in an event, just distances by myself). Running is a challenge but the other two are a breeze! Love your channel!

[@jhdrocks]

Working towards a sprint and olympic this year! Both will be first time for me!

[@jgduke63]

I am preferring the Quarterman, as the name say a quarter of an ironman (950m Swim, 45 km bike and 10.5km run).

[@tradestone100]

Or the olympic distance for bad swimers 😂

[@thestreakpodcast]

Very cool. I'm purely a Sprint and Olympic Distance guy.

[@benkirimlidis]

I don't know where they are.... but thats a cool tree they're sitting on at the end 👍

[@Aniara64]

And also don't forget the WTO Long distance, when they are not piggybacking on a iron distance event. The Relay will merit its own episode on the channel?

[@andyhickmann2173]

I would have bet money that it started at the shorter distances then someone went “bet I could go farther” and the Iron distance would be one of the latter distances established. Thanks for the insight!

[@NightEmbers]

Done a couple sprints, trying to work up to my first Olympic distance but will likely stay there. I dont really have the desire or dedication to attempt something longer than that.

[@ndennan67]

Doing my first Duathlon next week with the aim been probably either a sprint or Olympic distance tri later in the summer. Unsure of the swim so hence why I haven’t decided on a tri distance just yet

[@martin_djernaes]

Before the Sprint distance there were the 1/10th of an Iron Man (distance) and were often referred to as a Tin Man (distance) in the 80s and 90s. (and yes it were my first triathlon)

[@MrJhockley]

i'd love more proportional triathlons. Olympic Pro level = 40min swim, 40min bike, 40min run.

[@marcuswills6569]

They do exist. The Isoman triathlon specialises in making all three disciplines a similar time.

[@larrylem3582]

Stating that the shorter and shorter distances are beginner events is like saying the 200 m run is a beginner event compared to a marathon. People can specialize at shorter distances if that's what their physiology dictates.

[@philjones6468]

super sprints are done in the super series for the under 18s in england so definitely not always for beginners

[@susannaviles]

Hmm... The sprint distance seems doable. (Ask me again at the end of the year if I still agree with this statement.)

[@chrisplatten2293]

I suppose I count as tri-curious. I have done one and enjoy the videos. I will do another this year. The same event as my first attempt. It is a sprint-ish format. The bike and run lengths match the sprint distances, but the swim is shorter at 400m as it is indoors. You swim up and down a lane, duck under the floats and then repeat until you have done all 8 lanes, hence 400m for a 25m pool. I am an indifferent swimmer at best, so it suits me fine. I would love a canoe leg instead of a swim! I am not that good in a kayak either, but considerably better than as a swimmer. I can swim a long way, just not very fast.

[@feliciaelenum]

Have you seen SUP triathlons? I've never done one, but they look like a ton of fun. It replaced the swimming with paddleboard.

[@chrisplatten2293]

Good tip. I had looked at kayak based ones a few years ago and struggled to find an event. The SUP option seems more popular. I shall investigate further. Cheers.

[@SBoots29]

Triathletes, We make exercising three times harder than it has to be. LOL. I have 2 duathlons in spring and two Olympic distance planned for this summer. I will also volunteer at another. I found three Olympic distance in summer too much for me.

[@Balkac]

Interesting, if you would asked me, I would have guessed the order is 1. olympic, 2.ironman, 3. 70.3/sprint, 4. supersprint.

[@CoelhoSports]

There is a great half iron distance race at Daytona speedway ypu guys should cover if you haven't already.

[@dockami9546]

After completing all the distances, I think that Half of the Full Iron distance is the most comfortable distance for health. Half is not as exhausting as Full, and you don’t have to die as much in the high heart rate zone as Olympic or Sprint )) I think Sprint is most dangerous distance for your heart ) P.s. I'm 55-59 AG ))) I did 6 Sprints, 1 Olympic, 3 Half, 1 Full within 20 months

[@gtn]

Wow - you've really got the bug then! What's your next event?

[@dockami9546]

@@gtn I'm planning several Sprints and maybe an Olympic at the end of the season 2024. I can't do 2 workouts/day in this year ((

[@user-oi8ko5js7t]

Sorry but don’t disrespect the super sprint distance - There WAS a world championship Elites in Hamburg and Age group in pontevedra in 2023 - many elites have said how hard the distance actually is because it’s a totally flat out race.

[@marcuswills6569]

Was going to add a reply saying the same correcting James, the World Champs in Pontevedra was seriously quick.

[@General1Cal]

Have you senn Run-bike?

[@BGS22202]

Swim should be longer, especially in longer events where swim doesn’t matter if you’re good on the bike and adequate on the run.

[@TPelton22]

EHHH I disagree. The swim is by far the thing that puts the most people off doing a triathlon. Extending the distance will put off an even greater percentage of potential newcomers

[@EatMyPropwash]

Tom Pelton is correct. The swim is where most people make or break their race. Human body wasn’t designed to be horizontal while exercising. If you have poor swim technique you’ll burn up significantly more calories than needed, depleat sodium and electrolyte stores, etc…. That puts you in a bad place to start the bike. Swimming isn’t about muscling thru the water it’s about technique, feeeel the water in your forearm, and being as hydrodynamic as possible. The goal is to keep the HR down, and make sure you’re using the lats and not the shoulders, plus all the other bits.

[@doernerrr]

Never heard any triathlete upon finishing an event say “Gee, I wish the swim had been longer”.

[@thorsenm]

Said every swimmer looking for something to do after college ever

[@Ole-oj3ep]

@@TPelton22biking 180k is an incredible feat. Running a marathon is a Huge acomplishment. Swimming a 3.8k is less than half of what swimmers do on a daily basis. The distances should be daunting. Should be 2.5 for the half and 5k for the full.

[@TheUsername1302]

Sorry got distracted by the squirrel at 4:01

[@xzyth4079]

Sorry can you say all that again? I was distracted by the squirrel at 4:00

[@sunnybuffy9239]

One thing they all have in common; THEY ARE ALL MAD. When I was swimming as a child I had to get back home on a bike. Got sore spots from it. But somebody thought: "Oh, lovely, let's create a sport, were this is always the case." Don't get me wrong, I like running and swimming and cycling, but one at a time. But, I guess, it takes all sorts...

[@martinstegmayer6349]

and then there is Ultra.

[@eddyalexiou9951]

Isoman is the answer. The known distances make absolutely no sense.

[@lynnecallaghan2431]

Nice video, but please stop perpetuating the idea of. ‘Ironman’ being a distance!! Ironman is a brand! It’s long course.

[@emberchord]

Damn, what a thumbnail