How Long is Each Part Of A Triathlon?
| TYPE | TOTAL | SWIM | BIKE | RUN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Sprint | 8 miles (12.9km) | 0.25 miles (400m) | 6.21 miles (10km) | 1.55 miles (2.5km) |
| Sprint | 16 miles (25.75km) | 0.5 miles (0.75km) | 12.4 miles (20km) | 3.1 miles (5km) |
| Olympic Standard | 31.93 miles (51.5km) | 0.93 mile (1.5km) | 24.8 miles (40km) | 6.2 miles (10km) |
| Half Triathlon | 70.3 miles (113km) | 1.2 miles (1.9km) | 56 miles (90km) | 13.1 miles (21.1km) |
| Full Triathlon | 140.6 miles (226km) | 2.4 miles (3.8km) | 112 miles (180km) | 26.2 miles (42.2km) |
The length of each part of a triathlon depends on what type of triathlon an athlete is competing in. In each official distance though, the swim is the shortest, the bike is the longest, and the run is at a distance between those two. The order of each triathlon is also the same in each official distance, always beginning with the swim, followed by the bike section, and then the run.
Things To Consider:
- Triathlons consist of a swim, bike, and run.
- The distances are unique based on the type of triathlon and the course.
- The type of course and environment of each leg.
- The type of triathlon: Olympic, sprint, super sprint, half ironman, full ironman.
Chicago Triathlon Distance
Below is an example of triathlon distances for the Chicago Triathlon.
| TYPE | TOTAL | SWIM | BIKE | RUN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic | 31.93 miles | 0.93 miles (1500m) | 24.8 miles (40K) | 6.2 miles (10K) |
| Sprint | 18.57 miles | 0.47 miles | 15 miles | 3.1 miles |
| Super Sprint | 7.95 miles | 0.23 miles | 6.2 miles | 1.5 miles |
| Kids (Ages: 11-14) | 5.64 miles | 0.124 miles (200m) | 4.4 miles | 1.24 miles |
| Juniors (Ages: 7-10) | 2.82 miles | 0.062 miles (100m) | 2.2 miles | 0.62 miles |
Olympic Standard Triathlons
Also known as international distance, short course, or standard course. This distance is the same as the Olympics. In the Olympics there is no stop between the three legs. At the Olympic level it is completed in 1 hour and 50 minutes. The modern triathlon made its debut in the Olympics at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Types of Triathlons
- Paratriathlon
- Super Sprint
- Sprint
- Olympic Standard
- Half Triathlon (Half Ironman)
- Full Triathlon (Full Ironman)
Multi-Sport Triathlons
- Aquathon
- Duathlon
- Cross Triathlon
- Long Distance Triathlon
- Winter Triathlon
- Mixed Team Relay
List of Triathlons
- NYC Triathlon: 1500m swim, 40K bike, 10K run.
- Chicago Triathlon: 1500m swim, 40K bike, 10K run.
- SF Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon: 1.5 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 8 mile run.
Helpful Links
- Triathlon.org: Look at the events calendar for upcoming triathlons around the world.
- Trifind: To find a triathlon in a specific location or by type.