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Triathlon

Triathlon - swimming, cycling, running

Question - What's got three legs and kills you?

Answer: - Triathlon
The swim leg, the bike leg and the run leg!

Jeff Lewis of the Cardiff Triathletes gives us some tips on this most taxing of sports.


Ever since triathlon featured at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, it has been increasing in popularity everywhere.

The excitement of racing head to head against others across three completely different disciplines - all of which demand different strengths and skills - has caught the imagination of the public.

All you need to take part in this new and exciting sport is to be able to swim a bit, have access to a bike and be able to run/walk/crawl.

Some say there is a fourth leg to triathlon: the transition. This is the time taken to go from discipline to discipline. Swim to bike and from bike to run. The clock doesn't stop for these transitions so speed is of the essence, rather than comfort!

Distances

Don't worry about going straight in at the deep end. Wales has plenty of races to offer the budding triathlete, of all different distances. There are recognised distances for each discipline and these are usually matched to the event category. The swim can take place in a pool, or in open water - lake, river or sea.


Novice or
Sprint Event
Olympic or
Standard Event
Middle or
Half-Ironman
Ironman

Swim:
400 metres

Cycle: 20k
(12 miles)

Run: 5k
(3 miles)

Swim: 1.5k
(1 mile)

Cycle: 40k
(25 miles)

Run: 10k
(6 miles)

Swim: 2k
(1.2 miles)

Cycle: 90k
(56 miles)

Run: 21k
(13 miles)

Swim: 3.8k
(2.4 miles)

Cycle: 180k
(112 miles)

Run: 42k
(26.2 miles)


Clubs

There are many triathlon clubs in South East Wales and all have training sessions identified, to which all are welcome; from novices to the more experienced athlete. These sessions cover the swimming, cycling and running training needed. Cardiff, Gwent, Penybont, Rhondda and Taff Ely all have very active clubs.

The Welsh Triathlon Association is very active in the development, promotion and organisation of triathlon in Wales. It is responsible for Welsh team selection, training and organising Home Nations races.

Membership provides one with insurance for racing and training, a race license that qualifies members for a reduction in race entry fees. The WTA also produces a Welsh triathlon race calendar every year.

The WTA forms part of the British Triathlon Association.


See the Cardiff Triathletes and Welsh Triathlon Association websites for more about the sport.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Comment on this story

Ryan, Northampton
I am 16 and I did my first triathlon half a year ago after watching many other before that. My belief is that although it is hard to complete one, in the end if you put in the right amount of training in, and prepare and read up on tips and advice on transitions, anyone can do reasonably well. I might add though that a lot of first time triathletes don't quite understand the concept of swimming, as silly as that sounds :) Many are fit runners and cyclists - however swimming is as much technical skill as it is fitness. So for anyone whos thinking of doing their first tri, I would greatly recomend focusing fully on swimming before until you're confident in your ability.

Berwyn Parker, Caerphilly
I'm interested in competing in a triathlon, I have no previous experience in all three events but have competed in a few middle distance running competitions. I would like to know how to best get involved.

Tony Eustace, Swansea.
I am interested in joining a triathalon club as close to where i live as possible, and wondered whether you could give me any information? I have just completed my third half marathon but would like to try something different, and hopefully get the tri bug.

Rodney Savage of Cardiff
I go out running on a regular basis but would like to focus to complete a triathlon during 2008. I used to run at county level many years ago and still have that will to compete and give 100%. What is the best club to join in my area?

Lee Francis, Tonteg, Pontypridd
Hi, I am 36 and very keen to start taking up triathlons, but I need some guidance regarding training and with joining a club in my area. Please can you put me in the right direction.

Karl Jones
I would like to get into triathlon, I am reasonably fit at 34 but want to take up this sport on a regular basis. Can you advise me where to go to start as a novice. I live in Pembrey, Llanelli.

richard shaun williams
hi I would like to say hat without really looking for triathlon clubs in my area I wouldn't have known about it at any ftness studio gym or local leisure centre. I live in Ammanford near Swansea, Carmarthen and Llanelli. Can someone tell me where the nearest club is so I can join in what looks like great fun.

David Gunthorpe, Chairman Cardiff Tri
New members always welcome at Cardiff Tri. See www.cardifftri.net for more info.

Mark Newton-Hill from Cwmbran
Taking part in a trialthon is not as difficult as it may seem. Having completed a few myself they were relatively easy - although without the immense amount of training I did in preparation, it would have been very hard.



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related www links
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Welsh Triathlon Association

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