A triathlon is an endurance sports event that consists of several different athletic exercises including cycling, swimming and running over great distances. These exercises are accomplished in a series. The official time for the competitor to complete the race includes changing clothing to switch from sport to sport.
The triathlon was invented in France and run in an event called Les Trois Sports. This was an annual event that ran from the 1920s to the 1930s. This famous endurance sport is still held every year in France. In some of these events the crossing of the channel was part of the competition. Typically there would be a channel crossing, a bike competition and a run through a stadium.
Most athletes in training run non-competitive triathlons to build muscle to get in shape for other sports. The first know American triathlons took place in Mission Bay in San Diego in 1974 and it was organized by members of the San Diego Track Club. The military has also used triathlons as a sport to get marines and other types of soldiers in shape.
The first contemporary long-distance triathlon event took place in Hawaii. It included a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26 mile run and was known as the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon.
Today, many triathlon events take place around the world. The standard "Olympic Distance" of 1.5/40/10k was created by long time triathlon race director, Jim Curl in the mid-80's after he and partner Carl Thomas successfully produced the U.S. Triathlon Series between 1982 and 1997.
Today the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon is a franchise. It now serves as the Ironman world championship, but the entity that owns the race, the World Triathlon Corporation, hosts other triathlons around the world that are also titled Ironmans. Other triathlons may be described as "Full distance" or "Half distance", but the "Ironman" and "Iron" labels are the official brands of the World Triathlon Corporation. There are many people who think that this sport should be the official Iron man Triathlon.
When you compete in a triathlon you are on your own. Traditionally, triathlon is an individual sport. It is a case of each athlete competing against the course and the clock for the best time. Also because you are on your own you are not allowed to receive help from anyone else inside or outside the race, with the exception of the triathlon employee's volunteers who are placed along the course and distribute food and water. Aid stations at longer events will often provide various types of food as well, including such items as energy bars, gels, fruit, cookies, and ice that are happily provided by the host town's business sponsors or local restaurants.
Triathletes tend to be incredibly fit, because all three events are endurance sports. It is the perfect mix of anaerobic and aerobic exercise. Participating in a triathlon is a great way to build lean body mass and strength. It is in fact one of the main ways to build body mass and muscle.
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