So what is a triathlon?

A triathlon is an athletic event that includes swimming, running, and cycling. The triathlete therefore must focus his or her training on all three parts. There are actually five different lengths of triathlons; they range from short and doable to crazy-long.

Training requirements increase as the triathlete works his or her way up the food chain. A sprint version requires the triathlete to swim 400m mile, bike 24k and run 5K. As they improve their ability, some triathletes move from a sprint event to an Olympic event (also known as international or standard), on to a half-Ironman, through a long distance one, and finally reaching the pinnacle of all races, the Ironman (also known as the ultra). To compete in this event, triathletes must swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and then run a marathon (26.2 miles)!

Swimming, running, and cycling - all together!

If you like running, swimming, and bicycling, consider entering into a sprint event yourself. Or, if you've run in a marathon before and want to challenge yourself again, here is the perfect opportunity. There are Ironman's Triathlons held around the world.

Here at the club you have the expertise and experiences of members who have competed at all levels from sprint to IronMan, and even at international level.

OK so now your interested here is what you will need: 

• Swim suit, tri suit, or bike shorts (worn throughout the race)
• Run and bike shirt (may be a T-shirt)
• Swim goggles
• Bike
• Bike shoes (may be running shoes)
• Bike helmet
• Bike water bottle
• Sports drink
• Running shoes
• Race number (may be on bike and/or a belt or pinned to shirt)

It would be good if you had

• Wetsuit (if open water swim)
• Aero bars on bike
• Handlebar computer
• Lace locks or elastic laces on shoes
• Race belt for attaching number (may be pinned to shirt instead)
• Bike pump
• Wrist stopwatch/heart rate monitor (with chest strap)/GPS
• Transition towel
• After-race clothing
• Sunglasses
• Cold weather gear (gloves, jacket, arm covers, etc.)