An endurance multi-sport race combining swimming, cycling, and running performed consecutively without breaks.
Origin and rules
The modern triathlon was created in San Diego, California, in 1974, when local athletes blended swimming, cycling, and running. The Ironman, born in Hawaii in 1978, popularised long-distance multi-sport racing.
How it plays
Olympic-distance triathlon covers a 1500-metre swim, 40-kilometre bike, and 10-kilometre run. Sprint, half-Ironman, and Ironman distances cover shorter or longer formats. Athletes transition between disciplines at a designated area called T1 and T2.
Competition
The World Triathlon Championship Series and the Olympic tournament lead short-course racing. Ironman runs the long-course series, capped by the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Triathlon debuted at Sydney 2000.
Find more sports by letter
Triathlon starts with T and ends with N. Browse other sports along the same letter.
Sports that contain a letter from "Triathlon":