| It all started with the debate of who's the | | | | variations, either short courses of full |
| best- the runners, the swimmers or the | | | | courses, must conform to the standards as |
| cyclists? We all know that they have their | | | | recommended by the triathlon governing body. |
| individual fortes but during the 1920's, when | | | | |
| the first triathlons were held, this topic | | | | Since the adaptation of the Sydney Olympic |
| had been ringing wild in the sports world. | | | | triathlon, many triathlon competitions have |
| | | | also conformed with the sequences of courses |
| To put a stop on this, a Navy Commander named | | | | that Olympics follows. The official Olympic |
| Cdr. John Collins initiated an event wherein | | | | distances are swimming- 1500 m, cycling- 40 |
| swimming, cycling and running routines are | | | | km and running- 10 km. |
| involved. | | | | |
| | | | Aside from the classic swim-bike-run courses, |
| An athletic event composed of three contests, | | | | there are numerous others that include |
| triathlon also covers the measurement of a | | | | combinations of these three in varying orders |
| person's proficiency in maximizing his time | | | | and styles, breaks and performances. |
| off the intervals. Plus the capacity to | | | | |
| endure the subsequent stages of the activity. | | | | There are also non-standard variations that |
| | | | allow cross-country skiing plus or |
| Though its earlier versions were much less | | | | outdoor-ice skating, running and mountain |
| rigid, modern-day triathlon has now truly | | | | biking. Other popular triathlons cover trail |
| become a sport for the tough and the | | | | running for off-road competitions. |
| tough-hearted. Since the year of its | | | | |
| founding, the competition has morphed into | | | | For typical races, competitors are allowed to |
| varied classes of races with millions of | | | | set their racks an hour before the race |
| racers competing for the title of Iron Man | | | | starts. Racks in the transition area (where |
| each year. | | | | the course normally changes from bike to swim |
| | | | or swim to run) include stuffs like clothing, |
| Because of the variability by which the | | | | shoes and bicycles. |
| triathlon has grown, it is expected that it | | | | |
| has created numerous types of races, | | | | Racers are categorized using various factors |
| variations and modifications that are in line | | | | such as age bracket, level of experience |
| with the general pattern of the competition. | | | | (professional or amateur) and sometimes, on |
| | | | weight basis. Though the latter is not |
| There had been lots of discussions on what | | | | officially used in Olympic competitions. Age |
| form/s must be adopted yet everything is | | | | groups, on the other hand, are fixed on a |
| still subject to studies. Nevertheless, all | | | | 5-year of 10-year basis. |