How Long Is a Triathlon? | ACTIVE How Long Is a Triathlon? How Long Is a Triathlon? By Gale Bernhardt For Active.com There are four common distances for triathlon competitions, and many variations on those distances. One thing that may cause a variation from the standard distance is the race venue. Often, race directors are challenged to find a safe venue for a swim, bike and run event. To keep the logistics and safety concerns of staging such an event to a dull roar, on occasion, race directors wisely select a race course that is slightly different than the common distances mentioned in this column. Featured Events More: Leon's World's Fastest Triathlon Thankfully, good race directors and benevolent volunteers continue to host events, some of which are world-class, at a growing number of locations. At many races, event directors provide not only individual competitor categories, but team categories as well. For many single-sport athletes, team competition provides a new camaraderie to their solo training. Additionally, it might just spark the fire to train for a triathlon as an individual competitor. So, how long is a triathlon anyway?

Here are the four most common race distances: Sprint Distance A sprint-distance triathlon is often the best way for a new triathlete to have positive experience in their first event. A typical sprint distance event consists of 400 to 500 yards (or meters) of swimming, 12 to 15 miles of cycling and typically a 3.1-mile run. This distance makes completing the event quite manageable for fit and soon-to-be fit athletes. More: How to Train for a Sprint Triathlon Olympic Distance In the late 1980s, a 1.5 kilometer swim, 40 kilometer bike ride and a 10 kilometer run (0.9 miles swimming, 24.8 miles of cycling and 6.2 miles of running) was often called "International-Distance Triathlon" because that distance was accepted as the international standard and used at the first Triathlon World Championship. That championship was held August 6, 1989 in Avignon, France and the winners were Erin Baker of New Zealand and Mark Allen of the United States.

In 1994 the International Triathlon Union (ITU), lead by president Les McDonald, convinced the International Olympic Committee to make triathlon an Olympic sport for the Sydney Games of 2000. The title for the "International-Distance Triathlon" was changed to Olympic-distance. Today, an Olympic-distance triathlon remains a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run. About the Author Gale Bernhardt Gale Bernhardt was the USA Triathlon team coach at the 2003 Pan American Games and 2004 Athens Olympics. She's worked as a World Cup coach and delivered education training for the International Triathlon Union's Sport Development Team. Thousands of athletes have had successful training and racing experiences using Gale's easy-to-follow training plans. You can find some of her training plans on Active Trainer to help you succeed. Gale Bernhardt was the USA Triathlon team coach at the 2003 Pan American Games and 2004 Athens Olympics. She's worked as a World Cup coach and delivered education training for the International Triathlon Union's Sport Development Team.

Thousands of athletes have had successful training and racing experiences using Gale's easy-to-follow training plans. You can find some of her training plans on Active Trainer to help you succeed. Share this article Fequently Asked Questions About Triathlons | Best in the West Triathlon Fequently Asked Questions About Triathlons The USA Triathlon Rule Book can be found here: What is a triathlon? Triathlon is an endurance and versatility sport, in which the individual athlete carries out a swimming, a cycling, and a running segment, in that order, and with the clock running during transitions. It is an athletic contest won by completing the course with the fastest time. What is a duathlon? A Duathlon is similar to a Triathlon, but the swim leg is replaced by another run leg, so it becomes a run, cycle, run race. Basically a duathlon is a triathlon without the swimming. Duathlon distances are similar to those for triathlons. What is an Aquathon? An Aquathon is similar to a Triathlon, but without the bike leg. So it becomes a swim and run race. Again, just like Triathlons and Duathlons, there are varying distances.

However, the distances are normally of sprint distance. What are the typical triathlon distances? There are no set distances for triathlons. Many triathlons use various distances that conform to the land/water available to them. There are, however, some standard distances for triathlons: • Ironman: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run • Half Ironman: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run • Olympic Distance: 1500 meter (.93 mile) swim, 40k (24.8 mile) bike, 10k (6.2 mile) run – this is the distance used in the summer olympics • Sprint Distance: usually about one half of an Olympic Distance race 500-750 meter swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run. Who can do a Triathlon? Anyone can do a triathlon. If you’re in search of fitness and looking for a rewarding challenge, Triathlon is for you. Why do Triathlons? Triathlon is a great sport!

It attracts many different types of people. It tends to attract social friendly types and fits in well with a variety of life styles. And, you don’t need to be super fit to participate. Many people use triathlon as a goal or a way to get motivated to do cardio and loose weight. Triathlon offers a great variety for training so you are not always doing the same thing. The sport offers finishers a great sense of accomplishment. It also presents endless challenges! You can always work to go further and get faster. What are the different divisions in a triathlon? Triathlons are usually separated into different divisions for awards. Most commonly there are pro/elite categories and age group categories. The age group categories separate men and women into different groups. Each gender group is then separated by their age. Age groups are usually in 5 year sections. For example, womens ages 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-45 … mens ages 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-45.

Awards are often given to the top finishers overall for each gender and for the top 3-6 finishers in each age group division. Do you really think I can finish a triathlon? Yes, I do. If you’re reading this, the chances are pretty good that you could finish a triathlon. You’re interested in fitness, in endurance and fitness. As long as you pick a triathlon that’s suited realistically to your abilities, you can finish. What you really need, ultimately, is to want it bad enough. If you do, you will. What triathlon distance is right for me? The distance you choose really hinges on your comfort in the water. You can probably ride or run (or walk) the distance in longer events, but don’t put yourself in the water for a longer distance than you can handle. This is where training comes into play. As you spend more time swimming, biking and running, you will be able to go further and can take on longer triathlons. If you’re just starting out, you may want to consider a sprint distance race. Most beginners start with the sprint distance. This way they can get more comfortable with putting the three events together.

Do I need to have a strong background in one of the events? Not necessarily. While you will encounter athletes who swam in high school meets or ran cross-country, many new triathletes are approaching these events for the first time. You just need to be able to practice all three disciplines. Some people would have started racing triathlons earlier, but they don’t like to swim. For some, the swim can be a challenge, but part of triathlon is about encountering challenges and overcoming them. You may not the best swimmer, but when you exit the water in a triathlon, the race is ON! Do I need to buy a lot of expensive gear? No. It’s possible to compete in a triathlon with equipment you already have. All you need is a swim suit, tennis shoes, a bike and a helmet. Everything else is extra and after you have done a few races and decide you like the sport, then you can start acquiring gear. How much training should I do? How much training you need to do before your first triathlon depends on you.

It depends on what level of fitness you are at in all three disciplines and it depends on what your goals are – do you want to do a sprint, a standard, middle or full distance? Do you want to be competitive or just be able to finish the race? To give yourself something to aim for, enter a triathlon some months ahead. Choose a race you think you can finish, and prepare adequately. By race day you should be able to go the full distance of each event in training. Which race should I choose for my first race? It is good to pick a race and set yourself a target to aim for. Be positive and pick an upcoming race. There are thousands of triathlons all over the US, and even more all over the world! One way to find out about a race is to go to one. If you go to a local race, you can talk to triathletes in the area and find out about races that are close by and well run. What do I need to know about nutrition? It’s very important to keep hydrated, both in training and during the race. Drink adequate amount of fluids before and during your workouts.

As your workouts become longer (longer than 2 hours at a time) it will be time to start considering food during your workout so you can sustain the activity. Information on fuel can be found at: Should I join a Triathlon Club? Triathlon clubs are the perfect way to get information, to improve your race and to meet other local triathletes. They can give you access to facilities and discounts and possibly even sponsors. They are a wealth of information and usually have coaches to help you meet your goals. Not to mention you will meet other people to train with. They can be expensive but if you are new to the sport or need some support, triathlon clubs are great. What if something goes wrong in the Special Triathlon I’ve spent so much time preparing for? For some, understandably, a triathlon is a culmination of much dedication, preparation, training time, and family support. It’s a project, it’s a big deal, and you want it all to be worth it. But sometimes things go wrong out there, in the same way that it might rain on a long-planned outdoor wedding. The swim might not go as well as you expect. You might get a flat tire on the bike.

You might experience unexpected cramping on the run. If you do run into a problem during your triathlon, it’s ok. There are many more races out there. Your time and effort didn’t go to waste because now you are in GREAT shape! Assess what went wrong and then sign up for another race. Keep up with your work outs and you can “redeem” your self at the next race. What are the rules of triathlon? Triathlon rules vary by race and governing bodies. For individual triathlons, check the race packet for rules for the race. For ITU races, the rules can be found at For USAT races, the rules can be found at Even if your race is an ITU or USAT event, you should still check the race packets for changes/exceptions to the rules. Where can I find more information on triathlons? Beginner Triathlete The Swim I can’t swim, what can I do? Many local clubs give swimming lessons and can get you up to race fitness. If you do not want to swim, there are many duathlons which are held around the country. What strokes are permissible?

Any stroke is allowed in triathlons as long as you are not using an artificial means to propel yourself through the water. The most common and efficient stroke is freestyle. Breaststroke, however, is often performed by people who either have trouble with freestyle or are resting or sighting. I’ve heard that a triathlon swim is rough, and people even try to swim over you; is this true? This really depends on the start of the race. Some races start in waves with a smaller number of people starting together, which gives everyone more room. Other races are in swimming pools and you start on your own. Others still start all at once and these tend to be the most turbulent. However, the talk about the swim typically surpasses the reality. In open water swims, there are no lane markers and everyone’s trying to go in the same direction, some with more success than others. Yes there is occasional contact, but it’s unintentional. Do not take it personally, just keep swimming. If you are concerned about being run over, just wait a few seconds until the starting area clears of swimmers and then begin your swim. You may be a few seconds back, but your anxiety will be lower and overall your swim will benefit from it.

What should I wear? Don’t worry too much about what to wear, especially for your first tri. There is triathlon specific apparel you can wear, but for your first race, swimsuit for the swim, Shirt/Jersey and shorts (over your suit) for the bike and run, whatever is in the back of the wardrobe!!! Once you have done a few, you can invest in a triathlon specific outfit. Triathlon shorts are generally spandex and have a light chamois (padding). Triathlon tops are also spandex, sleeveless and may have a couple pockets. Keep in mind, for some races, a wetsuit is required. Just remember guys (and girls too!!!) you must have your chest covered during the cycle and run. Do I have to wear a wetsuit? That depends on the race. Your race will have that information available to you, usually on their website. If you are swimming in a pool, you should not wear a wet suit. If you are swimming in open water, the water temperature is the main factor. Wetsuits help you stay warm in longer swim distances, and the buoyancy will make most amateur swimmers swim better. They can however be difficult to take off in transition.

If it is a shorter swim, you feel comfortable with the temperature you probably don’t need one. Try swimming in a wetsuit to help you with your decision. At certain temperatures wetsuits are required, so check the rules for your race. What are the rules about wetsuits? The wetsuit rules change by race and governing body but the general rules for ITU races are: Elite athletes in the Olympic Games and ITU Events: Swim Length Forbidden above: Mandatory below: Maximum stay in water 1500m 20 deg. C 14 deg. C 30 min 1500-3000m 23 deg. C 15 deg. C 1 h 40 min 3000-4000m 24 deg. C 16 deg. C 2 h 15 min Junior and Age Group competitors:Swim Length Forbidden above: Mandatory below: Maximum stay in water1500m 22 deg. C 14 deg. C 1 h 10 min 1500-3000m 23 deg. C 15 deg.

C 1 h 40 min 3000-4000m 24 deg. C 16 deg. C 2 h 15 min And for USAT races are: “Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council.” Do I need to buy a wetsuit? A wetsuit is not mandatory for most triathlons, and certainly not needed in the short distance races like Sprints, held in water that’s warm or a pool.

If you live in a warm climate there may be no reason to buy one, however if you live where the waters are often in the 70s or colder you should probably consider one. Some triathlon stores will rent wetsuits, and that’s a good bet if you only plan to do one or two triathlons. If you can see yourself staying engaged in triathlon longer, the cost of a wetsuit makes sense. If you are going to buy a wetsuit, make sure you get one that is made for triathlon. A dive/jet ski/etc wetsuit will not give you the freedom of movement you need to swim effectively. Triathlon wetsuits generally range from about $100 to over $400 depending on the type and quality so it’s a pricey investment. There are several types of triathlon wetsuits on the market. What type of wetsuit should I buy? This depends on the temperature of the water you will be swimming in most often.

Here are the comparisons: Shorty: No sleeves with short legs Cheap, easiest to remove in transition Least exposure protection (coldest) and speed improvement Farmer John: No sleeves with long legs Improved warmth over Shorty without sacrificing range of motion Less speed improvement than a full suit, slower transitions than Shorty Full Suit: Full sleeves with long legs Fastest suit with best exposure protection (warmest) Arm movement somewhat restrained, slowest transition, most expensive Where can I find a place to train for swimming? Most suburban areas have pools available for lap swimming. The YMCA and health clubs are a good place to start. Many areas have city recreational centers that also offer lap swimming. Often local high schools or colleges will have a lap pool, call and ask if they allow public use. If you don’t know about any in your area, US Masters Swimming offers a searchable list of swim locations at A great international list can be found at Finding a place for open water swims in your area can be more difficult. Many areas have lakes with public beaches but the swim area is often cordoned off to a small, easily life guarded space. The best bet is to ask other triathletes in your area where they train. Where can I find information on swim training?

The best bang for the buck is probably to find a masters group in your area. For information on masters swimming in the US refer to US Masters Swimming Many people have had tremendous success with Total Immersion The general consensus is that if you are not already a good swimmer who is just looking for refinement, TI is a good place to start. The Bike Do I have to wear a helmet? Yes. The helmet is for your safety and every race you do requires the use of a helmet. Your helmet must be buckled before you mount your bike and until you dismount or you will be disqualified. With out a helmet, you will not be allowed to race, no exceptions. Can I cross the yellow line? No. Again, this is for your safety. Athletes who cross the center line will be disqualified. You are to stay to the right at all times unless you are in the act of passing another participant. What is drafting? The ITU defines drafting as: The technique of riding in a pack during the cycling event. They define draft zone as: An imaginary area approximately three bicycle lengths long and six feet wide surrounding each competitor during the bike segment. Basically drafting is a method to increase your speed or decrease your effort by lowering your wind resistance.

So stay back at least three bike lengths, and make sure when passing that you are completely finished passing within 20 seconds of entering the drafting zone. Why is drafting bad/good? Drafting is a hot topic of debate among triathletes. Those that are against drafting often list the following reasons: -Drafting takes away from the individual competitor nature of the sport. -Drafting is less safe/causes higher insurance rates. Those that are for drafting often list the following reasons: -Drafting evens out triathlons which often are weighed to longer times in the bike leg. -Drafting is more spectator friendly. What is blocking? Blocking is basically riding in the wrong part of the bike course. Most commonly the right side of the bike course is for riding while the left side is for passing. Riders who camp out or overextend their stay in the passing lane are blocking. Blocking is a violation in most triathlons. Do I need to buy bike shorts? Bike shorts have a special pad in them to help you stay more comfortable on your bike seat. As you know comfort is very important and the better you feel, the longer you can stay in the seat. So bike shorts are highly recommended.

Do I need to buy an expensive triathlon bike? Anything with two wheels in your garage can get you started at no extra cost. Many beginners use their mountain bikes out of the garage. Some races even have a special division for those athletes riding mountain bikes. When you decide to take on longer triathlons, a road bike will probably be more comfortable for you and will take less effort to ride greater distances. You can look for used road bikes at your local bike shops or you can invest in a new one for about $600. Keep in mind, over the years you will ride thousands of miles on your bike, so you will get your monies worth. Should I buy a road bike or triathlon (time trial) bike? You don’t need a triathlon bike to do triathlons. Modified road bikes are very common in triathlons. If you already own a road bike or plan on doing other types of riding you may be better off with a road bike with clamp on aerobars. The advantages of a triathlon bike are in the positioning. They are setup to keep you more comfortable when in the aero bars and to work the quads less, saving them for the run.

Often triathlon bikes are more aerodynamic than road bikes. Will a new bike make me faster? There’s a saying ‘if you think a new bike will make you faster, then it will.’ Part is psychological. But in the first place, you are the one powering your wheels. If you are not in shape, a $5000 dream bike with tricked out wheels and components won’t make a difference. On balance, at any triathlon transition area, the bikes will be more impressive than the bike riders in many cases. It’s another way of saying just buy the bike that works for you, don’t worry about trying to have the hottest bike out there. Better to be the hot rider. What about those disk wheels some triathletes use? Rear wheel flat disc wheels look wicked cool, don’t they? Makes your bike kind of look like a Stealth Fighter. Two problems: good ones are expensive, and they really won’t help you at all until you can ride well over 25mph. This is putting it simply, and the rocket scientists can give you the specifics, but in short, they will only help the very fast riders. Until you are one of them, save your money.

Should I use 650c or 700c wheels? Both wheel sizes have advantages and disadvantages. 650c wheels accelerate and climb faster, but they also decelerate faster. 700c wheels are more comfortable and are more readily available if you need a tube on the road. The only people who should be really concerned about wheels sizes are particularly short or tall people. 650c wheels work much better with shorter people, especially on triathlon bikes where the geometry prevents the use of 700c wheels on smaller bikes. Tall riders should stick to 700c wheels. How do I change a tire? To change a tire you have to take off the tire and replace the tube. Specifics on how to change a tire can be found here. What if I get a flat tire during the race? If you get a flat during the race, you do the same thing you would do if you got a flat on a training ride. You change the flat and keep going. You should have a flat kit on your bike. Many people put their flat kits in a under the seat bike bag. Here is how to change your flat on the road. What do I need to change a flat?

A replacement tube USAT for Me: Clubs USAT for Me More Whether you are looking to join a club or looking to start a club, USA Triathlon has the resources you are looking for. USA Triathlon actively promotes clubs to potential members and works to create new programs to encourage activity throughout the club system. Photo: James A. Randell Click here to view the list of USA Triathlon registered clubs. 2017 Club Grant Application The 2017 USA Triathlon Club Grant will open on June 1, 2017. At that time, the grant application will be included here to download. All documents will be sent to clubs@usatriathlon.org . Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2017. Club Events British Triathlon Federation – British Triathlon For 25% off @GarminUK and MUCH MORE, sign up and join the @BritTri family today! Start 2017 the right way -… twitter.com/i/web/status/8… 3 days ago...

RT @TriTrust : #volunteers required for @TriShowLDN Help deliver free #multisport activities for kids 17, 18 or 19 Feb Email: volunteer @tri … 3 days ago... RT @wholeearthfoods : Celebrate an amazing year for @BritTri by becoming a full HN member for 2017 and enjoy amazing rewards! 3 days ago... How to Transition in a Triathlon | HowStuffWorks How to Transition in a Triathlon Cathrin Mueller/Bongarts/ Getty Images If someone were to ask you what a triathlon was, most of us would describe the three sports -- swimming, cycling and running -- that make up the traditional triathlon and almost always occur in that order. And this would be correct, as far as it goes. But you'll rarely see triathletes biking with their swimming caps on, and, for that matter, they wouldn't win many competitions trying to run with bicycle cleats, either. Each triathlon has a special place called a transition area (and there is almost always only one such zone) where participants change gear and clothing and do anything else they might need to do before moving on to the next stage.

Now, you might think this would be a good time to catch your breath, pop a candy bar or wax eloquent about your favorite electrolyte with the other athletes. If you're doing the triathlon for fun or to just see if you can finish, then knock yourself out. In fact, first-time triathletes should be more concerned with getting familiar with the whole scene. Up Next Is treadmill running beneficial for triathletes? But if you're in it to win, the transition can easily make or break you -- and the clock keeps on ticking. Moving between events in the most efficient way possible means you won't have to make up that time on the bike or during the run, conserving energy for when you really need it. According to statistics from the International Triathlon Union, the average time difference between the top two male triathletes in the first five events of 2010 was a narrow 6.6 seconds. For women, it was only 3.2 seconds. If you think for a moment about how long it takes to take a drink, put on some socks or eat a granola bar, you can begin to appreciate just how important the transition can be.

Top triathletes can complete the first transition (swim-cycle) in less than a minute, and the second changeover (cycle-run) in less than 30 seconds [source: International Triathlon Union ]. For less competitive triathlons, good transitions average around 2 minutes and 45 seconds, respectively. In this article, we're going to look at each transition individually, exploring ways to shave away crucial seconds. Some will help you save time; others will help you avoid getting kicked out of the race altogether. Next, let's look at what you need to do as you get out of the water. 1 Triathlon Distances | totaltriathlon.com Triathlon Distances Follow Us On Twitter To accomodate all different skill levels, there are several different distances for triathlon races. Sprint distances vary from race to race, but the other distances are consistent with the lengths shown in the table below. The Half and Full distances are commonly referred to as Half Ironman and Ironman distances respectively. Half Ironman races can also be referred to as Ironman 70.3’s, with the number 70.3 representing the total mileage of the race.

Name How Olympic Triathletes Make Money (When They Make Any Money at All) | Outside Online Free Newsletters How Olympic Triathletes Make Money (When They Make Any Money at All) In triathlon, where training volume can make it impossible to hold down another job, Olympic hopefuls often live with parents or sleep on friends’ couches, struggling to make ends meet Manny Huerta. Photo: Screenshot from REVOLUTION3 Triathlon Manny Huerta is one of the lucky ones. For years, after leaving behind a full running scholarship at Florida Atlantic University , Huerta relied on family and friends to help him get by while he chased his triathlon dreams. In May, Huerta qualified for the London Olympics with a nail-biting ninth-place finish at the ITU World Triathlon race in San Diego. “If it wouldn’t have been for friends and family and supporters, I would have been in a really bad situation,” Huerta said. An Olympic medal is one of the hardest-earned prizes in the world. Athletes who make it to the Games do so after years of sacrifice, hoping that climbing onto the podium will make it all worth it. Yet many Olympians never see that work turn into income.

And many more, who are tantalizing close to the rings, struggle to simply make ends meet. In triathlon, where training volume can make it impossible to hold down another job, Olympic hopefuls often live with parents or sleep on friends’ couches. “They probably are losing money on the sport at that stage,” said USA Triathlon Performance Director Andy Schmitz, of up-and-coming athletes. “Probably the only athletes in the black are those [eight athletes] on the national team.” Huerta’s parents immigrated to Miami from Cuba when he was 13 years old and he dreamt of competing for his adopted country. To even have a shot at donning the red, white, and blue at the Olympics Huerta had to race draft-legal ITU events instead of the popular Ironman and half-Ironmans. The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is the body that oversees Olympic racing. ITU races are shorter, faster, and draft-legal, meaning competitors can bike close together in packs. ITU races are also significantly harder to make a living at because of the heightened competition for smaller prizes, the expensive travel all over the world, and the lack of media and sponsors in the U.S.

“Once every four years, people actually watch and care and talk about it,” said Jarrod Shoemaker, a 2008 U.S. Olympian and president of the newly formed Professional Triathlon Association . “I think it’s a huge problem breaking into the draft-legal side of the sport.” WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? While no study has been done on how much triathletes make, USA Track and Field Foundation Board Director Jack Wickens did a comprehensive evaluation of track and field athletes’ income—for which there are many similarities. Wickens found that while it depends on the event—race walkers make nothing, sprints and marathons are the most lucrative—typically the top one or two athletes do extremely well and the top 10 athletes in the world in an event can make up to $100,000 annually. But runners that are 10th-25th in the world typically “feast or famine,” making $10,000 to $60,000 depending on the year. Athletes outside the top 25 in the world nearly always have another job.

“An awful lot of them never make a good living their entire career,” Wickens said. Incomes are similar in triathlon; Shoemaker guesses the top five-10 percent of professional triathletes make $50,000 to $100,000 annually, with a handful of superstars earning significantly more. Chrissie Wellington and Chris McCormack likely make over $1 million per year. Professionals outside the top five-10 percent and up-and-coming athletes are lucky to make $20,000, often relying on other income. Schmitz agrees with that assessment. “The best in the world do very, very well. That drops off very quickly,” Schmitz said. “It’s truly limited to the top half of one percent in the world.” Top professional triathletes earn money through prize purses and sponsors. Lesser-known or less-connected athletes rely heavily on prize money, which is the same for everyone, while athletes with bigger names can make more from sponsors. Sponsorship money depends on three things, Schmitz said: performance, personality, and connections.

Some athletes, like hurdler Lolo Jones , can capitalize on their personality without necessarily having the results to back it up, Wickens said. Some athletes, like Shoemaker, also make connecting with sponsors a priority, according to Schmitz. Most sponsorships, however, come in the form of free product, not money. Because of the lack of information about sponsor contracts and income, athletes can end up undermining each other. One may agree to accept far less from a sponsor than another. Shoemaker believes it’s important for athletes to talk to sponsors, get involved with local brands, and to ask for actual money or bonus schedules from bigger companies. “It’s easier to get companies to give you stuff," he said. "It’s harder to get good money out of companies unless you’re really good." "WITHOUT USAT, I WOULDN'T BE GOING TO THE OLYMPICS" Athletes competing in ITU races are also eligible to receive grants from USAT and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). The U.S. is one of very few countries with no government support for its Olympic and national team athletes.

The USOC, USAT, and other sports’ national bodies, like USA Track and Field, are funded through commercial contracts, such as those with McDonald’s, and through individual fundraising. In triathlon, athletes can qualify for funding from USAT based on performance. The maximum degree of support a top triathlete could receive, said Schmitz, is a $1,500/month stipend for living expenses, $1,000/quarter for performance services such as massage or physical therapy, $4,000/year for training camps, and $6,000/year for coaching. Athletes can also receive funding to travel to ITU races. Each allocation must be applied for and vetted and performance criteria must continuously be met. “It’s a pretty solid basis of support,” said Schmitz. The USOC also allows athletes with certain qualifications to live at one of the Olympic Training Centers. The degree of access those athletes have to the facilities, training amenities, and room and board depends on the athlete. “The first couple of years, that was key,” said Huerta, of living at the Colorado Springs training center after leaving college.

Receiving that kind of support, though, is rare; those numbers are maximum capped amounts. But, support from USAT and USOC can make the difference between chasing the Olympic dream or competing in more profitable non-drafting races. “Without USAT, I would not be able to afford to do ITU and wouldn’t be going to the Olympics,” said Sarah Groff, who is competing for the U.S. at the London Games this summer. Groff still lives with relatives or roommates when she’s in the U.S. The first couple of years, she worked odd jobs or waitressed during the off-season to tide her over between races. Now, though, she’s able to make a decent living, but “not a lot of money,” she said. Next year, she plans to do more of the non-drafting, big money races like HyVee, with its $1 million prize purse, instead of just focusing on ITU races. “There’s no retirement plan in ITU,” she said. ITU VS.

NON-DRAFTING Groff could have chosen to focus completely on non-drafting races, but her first coach, Siri Lindley, a two-time ITU World Champion, pushed her toward ITU racing despite some of the financial problems it poses. There are a couple of challenges for ITU athletes. ITU draft-legal racing is far less popular in the U.S. than in Europe, which means there is less press and fewer sponsors for American ITU athletes. “ITU’s just kind of out of sight, out of mind,” said Groff. Prize purses are top-heavy and quickly drop-off in both non-drafting and draft-legal racing. (While first place at the Ironman Championships in Kona takes home $110,000, 10th wins only $6,000 and 11th earns nothing.) But, those prizes can be particularly sparse in ITU racing, with the biggest money in the domestic draft-legal Lifetime series and HyVee races. Competition in ITU races is also deeper and fiercer, with the best from every country battling it out and places separated by just seconds, said both Groff and Shoemaker.

Additionally, athletes trying to make it on the ITU circuit must spend money upfront to travel to races in Lynga, Norway, or Kinloch, New Zealand. Those up-and-coming athletes hope to rack up ITU points, which can earn them spots at more prestigious races and, maybe, Olympic qualification. Travel could eventually be reimbursed by USAT, but typically not until an athlete proves him or herself. The alternative for a talented triathlete would be to stick to the lucrative domestic non-drafting and half-Ironman races. “It’s tough for an athlete to see the chance to make money versus spend money and run around,” Shoemaker said. YOU CAN MAKE MONEY Although triathletes and runners may not have the $500,000 minimum starting salary of an NBA player, there is some money to be made in the sport. The U.S. synchronized swim team was featured in Time magazine for their fundraising swim shows and requirements that many of the swimmers work bingo halls. A high school classmate of Groff’s made the 2006 Olympic women’s hockey team and took home the silver medal.

However, she had to continue working as a teacher up until leaving for the Games and came back to work right after. There’s simply no money to be made in women’s hockey. At least, in triathlon, Groff can make some money. “You can make lots of money in triathlon,” Groff said. “I’m psyched to be able to do it.” Making money’s never been a focus for Huerta, who has only a handful of sponsors and lives most of the year with his coach on the side of a volcano in Costa Rica, where it’s cheaper. He’s just happy he’s been one of the lucky ones. “I can’t wait to get to the Olympics and then back in the U.S.,” he said.

Question: How many events make up a Triathlon?
Answer: Three