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Triathlon: A few words about this demanding sport**

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One of the biggest sports spectacles that we often observe in various coastal areas is triathlon, a very demanding sport. Yes you know what I mean, the one that contains swimming, cycling and running. 

What is triathlon? 

Triathlon is a demanding sport which consists of three sports: swimming, cycling and running. Triathlon is used to test an athlete’s speed and endurance, at a competitive level, with many opponents.   A triathlon race in any event starts with swimming in the sea, continues with cycling and then with running. Its duration is continuous until the finish of the race. 

Triathlon’s story 

The triathlon first began to spread in 1970 by the San Diego Track Club team. The reason why this type of training started was the encouragement of the athletes and the endurance in these three sports so as to make the process of training easier for the athletes.  In 1974, the first triathlon race was organized with a running distance of 10 km, cycling 8 km and swimming 500 meters. The triathlon was established at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. 

Distances and types of triathlons in competitions 

  • Enticer / Novice (for beginners): Swimming less than 750 meters, cycling less than 20 km, running less than 5 km.

  • Sprint: Swimming 750 meters, cycling 20 km, running 5 km.

  • Olympic or classical: Swimming 1500 meters, cycling 40 km, running 10 km.

  • Long Race / Half Iron Distance: Swimming between 2500 to 3800 meters, cycling between 80 km to 120 km, running  between 20 km to 30 km.

  • Iron Distance: Swimming 3800 meters, cycling 180 km, running 42 km.

Become a triathlon’s coach specialist -only in Base Training    Katerina Zouganeli    Sources  220 Triathlon, 2019. What is a triathlon?. [online] 220 Triathlon. Available at: https://www.220triathlon.com/training/beginners/what-is-a-triathlon/ [Accessed 24 June 2021].  NSW, 2021. What is Triathlon?. [online] Triathlon.org.au. Available at: https://www.triathlon.org.au/State_Associations/NSW/Getting_Started/What_is_Triathlon_.htm [Accessed 24 June 2021].    Seminars Recent Articles