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Distances

I am new to Triathlon and I find that there are a bit of varaition on distances, is there a list somewhere or can someone tell me whats what, I know Sprint 750m swim 20 k bike and 5k run but thats seems to be about as simple as it gets.
Is a standard distance just the same as an Olymic distance? and whats an Ironman 70.3 compared to an Ironman?

Thanks
Bobby

Comments

  • md6md6 Posts: 969
    OK
    Sprint
    (Pool) 400m, 20k, 5k
    (OW) 750m, 20k 5k
    Olympic/Standard 1,500m, 40k, 10k
    Half Iron 1,900m (1.2miles), 90k (56miles), 21.1k (half marathon 13.1miles) Total 70.3 miles
    Ironman 3,800m (2.4miles), 180k (112miles), 42.2k (Marathon 26.2 miles) Total 140.6 miles

    There may be some variations on distances based on routes, other constraints but thats the basics, there are also the tristar races which (i think) are:
    Tri star111: 1k 100k, 10k (total 111k)
    Tri star222 2k, 200k, 20k (total 222k)

    hope that helps
  • bobby18bobby18 Posts: 15
    I see, thankyou!
    makes sense an Ironman 70.3 is a half Ironman,

    got it
    cheers
  • BritspinBritspin Posts: 1,655
    Its not meant to make sense...
  • JulesJules Posts: 987
    Don't forget "Ironman" and "70.3" are trademarks so only WTC races are called these. Equivalent distance races by other organisers are usually called long disance and middle distance respectively.
  • BmanBman Posts: 442
    And dont forget the event for the trully insane, the Deca-Iron distance:
    Swim 38km , Bike 1800km, run 422km
  • Morg007Morg007 Posts: 54
    md6 wrote:
    OK
    Sprint
    (Pool) 400m, 20k, 5k
    (OW) 750m, 20k 5k
    Olympic/Standard 1,500m, 40k, 10k
    Half Iron 1,900m (1.2miles), 90k (56miles), 21.1k (half marathon 13.1miles) Total 70.3 miles
    Ironman 3,800m (2.4miles), 180k (112miles), 42.2k (Marathon 26.2 miles) Total 140.6 miles

    There may be some variations on distances based on routes, other constraints but thats the basics, there are also the tristar races which (i think) are:
    Tri star111: 1k 100k, 10k (total 111k)
    Tri star222 2k, 200k, 20k (total 222k)

    hope that helps
    I take it you purposely didn't wnat to scare them by including the deca ironman?!
  • bobby18bobby18 Posts: 15
    Thanks for all the info guys, I will be focusing on sprint, and standard/Olympic distances this year.
    Its just when I saw all the different names for distances it made me wonder, i never thought about trademarks etc,
    Anyway im a complete beginner so i may have to ask a few more daft questions from time to time!

    Bobby
  • bobby18bobby18 Posts: 15
    I cant get out now Conehead, I paid my entry into the london triathlon so I am comitted! Will try to keep the spending under control though while I figure out what kit I need to particapate!

    Bobby
  • dhcmdhcm Posts: 67
    I once asked a forum for an indication of how the different triathlon distances compared to running distances. The two that I remember were:

    Sprint distance = roughly equivalent to 10K effort
    Olympic distance = roughly equivalent to half marathon effort

    My experience is broadly consistent with this.

    Cant remember about the longer distance tris; will find out when I do the Vit in Sept 2011! I am currently imagining that it is roughly equivalent to a marathon?
  • bobby18bobby18 Posts: 15
    Sprint distance = roughly equivalent to 10K effort
    Olympic distance = roughly equivalent to half marathon effort

    I dont really understand your comparisons dhcm, but Im not a runner so maybe thats why! The way I see it, take sprint for e.g. you have to train to get strong in 3 different sports compared to a 10 k where you only need to train for 1, also the sprint will take almost double the time to complete than a good 10k so that must reflect on the level of effort required.
    As a complete newby I personally see the challenge of sprint distance triathlon as a much bigger challenge than running a 10k, both regarding the training required and for the race!

    Bobby
  • dhcmdhcm Posts: 67
    Right, a 10K is not direcly comparable to a sprint tri.

    My point is simply that the intensity of effort for a sprint tri is approximately similar to running a 10K. That for me was a useful tip since, as a newbie, it is hard to guage how much effor to to put into tris of varying distance.
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