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By Sylvain Pigeau – Photos: S.P.
Triathlon (swimming, cycling, running)
Made popular by the Hawaii Ironman, whose first edition took place in 1978, triathlon emerged in the 1970s but took some time to become structured, as did multisport disciplines. For many observers, the discipline and its formats are not very clear. “Huh? Triathlon? Oh yeah, that’s the thing where you shoot a rifle while skiing!” Uh, yeah, that’s almost it, ma’am!
There’s no getting around it, triathlon consists of three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. In that order. But sometimes, in certain events, it can change, and even include team relay systems. You can even run, cycle, then go back into the water, and finally run, then cycle, or swim. Oh dear, we’ve lost you, just like the lady! Let’s start with the simplest, triathlon.
– Official formats: the ITU (International Triathlon Union), and its affiliated National Federations, adhere to very precise specifications regarding formats.
It starts with XS with 400 m of swimming, 10 km of cycling, and 2.5 km of running. And it doubles each time. XS-S-M-L-XL-XXL. The M, also called OD (Olympic Distance), is the “standard” format (1.5-40-10). For L and XL, some organizers have freedom to adapt distances depending on the course (e.g., elevation gain). For information, at long-distance world championships, you generally have to cover 3 km of swimming, 120 km of cycling, and 30 km of running. Which is not exactly an L, nor strictly an XL. And so on.
| XS Distance | 400 m | 10 km | 2.5 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Distance | 750m | 20 km | 5 km |
| M Distance (OD) | 1.5 km | 40 km | 10 km |
| L Distance | 3 km | 80 km | 20 km |
| XL Distance | 4 km | 120 km | 30 km |
| XXL Distance | 3.8 km | 180 km | 42.195 km |
– Ironman: the American label has established itself as one of the references in the discipline. The “full,” for purists, takes the original distances of the first “IM” in history in the Pacific archipelago, with 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of cycling, and a marathon (42.195 km). For the record, the idea came from a crazy challenge between a few friends who decided to link the three most popular (independent) events of the archipelago in a single day. There were 8 at the start, and the rest is history.
This was followed by its “half” version, whose distances are strictly divided by two (1.9-90-21). The latter is one of the most popular in the world because it allows beginners and experienced athletes alike to easily commit to a great event. Recovery is easier than for an Ironman. For the best, the race is completed in about 4 hours, or even less.
– Relay events: In the case of national or international championships, there are also relay events. In France, distances are obviously adapted for youth categories.
Example for a relay event: each team is composed of 4 relay members (mostly mixed). The first start is a mass start with relay member number 1 from each team. They complete all three disciplines (swimming, cycling, and running). Then they hand off to their teammate, who starts the same sequence. The first athlete (relay member number 4) to cross the finish line wins for their team.
– Club Cups: The race can also be run as a “time trial,” with each team starting every minute or more. In this mode, the team generally starts with 6 members and must cross both transitions with a minimum of three athletes. Any athlete who is late and does not start the next discipline with their teammates is eliminated.
| Other multisport disciplines, recognized by the French Federation Duathlon: running, cycling, running Bike and run: cycling and running (in pairs). The time is taken for the duo. The two athletes share a bike and take turns. Depending on the rules, the exchange may be mandatory in certain zones or not. Aquathlon: swimming and running Swimrun: multi-chained swimming and running Snow triathlon and snow duathlon: this new discipline takes place in winter conditions and includes running, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Cross-triathlon and cross-duathlon (sometimes called XTerra after the independent label): swimming, mountain biking, trail running Swimbike: swimming and cycling Paratriathlon: reserved for Paralympic athletes. The disciplines are the same and the formats are specific. Raids: composed of at least three outdoor sports chained together or, at a minimum, two linear activities and one workshop in varied natural terrain, all non-motorized, performed by team. |
Categories
So, do you understand the formats? Now let’s move on to the categories, because triathlon offers the particularity of bringing together, most of the time, professionals and amateurs.
You’re just starting out and you think you can start next to Vincent Luis. Wrong. Except in rare exceptions, it will be very difficult for you to compete alongside the French champion in an event. Or at least not right away.
Vincent Luis, like all elite athletes competing in the Olympic distance (1.5-40-10), primarily competes in events reserved for professionals, at the Olympics naturally, on the WTS (World Triathlon Series) circuit, in the Super League, or in the French national division club championship (see box), among others.
For all other events, pros and amateurs often start together in the same event.
The ranking is then composed as follows:
- Overall ranking
- Ranking by age categories. Often in 5-year increments. (Masters start at 40 years old).
The case of a national long-distance championship: For all national championships under the aegis of the FFTri, category rankings entitle athletes to a French champion title. Since 2016, elite athletes have been integrated into age groups. There is therefore an overall title (men and women), then titles are awarded in the different age groups.
The case of an ETU European Championship or an ITU Long Distance World Championship: Both federations organize their championships. The principle is exactly the same, with the difference that elite athletes have a separate ranking.
For short-distance events, below L, elite and “amateur” races are separated.
In France, amateur athletes are part of Club France. An “amateur French team” in short. They must justify certain results to the Federation to gain access and can compete (at their own expense) in events, under the colors of the French team. They are classified in age groups.
| National and international championships (same for all disciplines) | |
| S or M Distances | One elite race and one amateur race |
| L Distance | Race combining elites and amateurs (overall and age group rankings). Wave start (elite women, elite men, age group women, age group men). |
Club France athletes participate in international events (age group rankings), under the colors of the French team.
| Ironman “slots”: The ranking principle is the same for the American label. But there is also a qualification system for Hawaii (Ironman) and for the Half World Championships (70.3). In each category, a number of “slots” (qualification tickets) are offered. This is determined by several factors, including the number of athletes at the start in each category. The total number for the event is determined at the start and then distributed. (Example: If 50 slots are available for an IM, 5 are for the women’s 25-29 category, 4 for the men’s 30-34 category, etc.). At the end of the event, during the ceremony, athletes are called up to be rewarded. And the fateful question is asked: “Do you want to go to Kona?” Yes? You then go to the organization members who will register your entry and payment immediately. For information, the entry ticket for Hawaii is currently around 1,000 euros and 350 for the Half World Championships, which will take place in Nice this year. In the event that an athlete refuses the “slot,” the ticket passes to the next athlete. Thus, it is not uncommon to see, in some events, athletes ranked beyond 10th place in their category leave with the precious sesame. But don’t dream, this is very frequently the case for the Half World Championships, much less so for Hawaii… |
Let’s mix everything now
Now that you understand how formats and categories work, note that in addition to traditional events throughout the year (and the associated ancillary rankings), there is a championship for (almost) every format and discipline.
In theory, an athlete (elite or not) can therefore accumulate titles depending on the disciplines (triathlon, duathlon, etc.) and formats (S, M, etc.).
Last weekend, Benjamin Choquert and Sandra Levenez became Duathlon World Champions in Pontevedra, Spain (M distance, 10 km run, 40 km bike, and 5 km run). Amateurs competed in the same event but in a separate race.
This weekend, however, also in Pontevedra, elites and amateurs will compete together for the Long Distance Triathlon World Championships (3 km swim, 120 km bike, and 30 km run). In theory, an athlete (elite or not) can therefore accumulate titles depending on the disciplines (triathlon, duathlon, etc.) and formats (S, M, etc.).
But don’t worry, the main thing is to pin on a bib and give it your all.
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