Race Alternatives for Triathlon Rookies

Racing triathlon is so much fun, but it can be a little intimidating when you’re first getting started. You have three sports to train for, and if you’re brand new to all of them, that can be a bit overwhelming. Plus, you likely don’t want to just train, you want to race, which adds another layer of anxiety to the mix. One way to potentially ease those nerves is to compete in a different (but still triathlon-adjacent) kind of race. There are plenty of events in the multi-sport world that are close to triathlon without requiring you to commit to all three sports so soon. Check these out as you plan for your first season of racing this year.

Do a Duathlon

Most sprint and Olympic triathlons will feature a no-swim option in the form of a duathlon. If you’re not familiar with this type of race, it swaps out the swim of a triathlon with another run. This run-bike-run format is a great way to test yourself with a run off the bike in a race setting, and it will probably help you mentally if or when you transition to triathlons.

Far too many people have said they are “just” doing a duathlon when asked what events they have signed up for on a race weekend. There is no just about duathlon. In fact, it can actually be much harder than a triathlon. Yes, the swim can be extremely difficult for many triathletes, but the impact it has on your body is minimal. You’ll be tired as you exit the water in a triathlon, but unless you were kicking like your life depended on it, your legs won’t be too worn out as you set off on the bike.

In a duathlon, that’s not the case. Instead of a nice low-impact start to your race, you’ll already have spent a few miles pounding the pavement before you hop onto your bike. Then, after your ride, you not only have the exhaustion from pedalling in your legs already, but also from the first run.

Duathlon is not an easy alternative to triathlon, but it is a great way to get started in multi-sport racing if you’re not confident in your swim just yet. If you decide to try this race format out, be ready to feel it in your legs the next day — and when people ask you what race you’re doing, drop the just and say you’re doing a duathlon with pride.

Enter an Aquabike

The aquabike is the perfect race for someone looking to test the waters of multi-sport racing without needing to perfect the bike-to-run transition. As the name suggests, an aquabike is a swim-bike event.

These races aren’t offered as much as duathlons may be, but you can certainly find them on event calendars if you search properly. If there is a specific race you want to enter but the organizers don’t offer a swim-bike option, consider entering a relay instead. This way you can do the swim and the ride and then pass the run duties off to someone else.

The aquabike is also a great way to keep fit and stay motivated even when you’re injured and cannot run. If you’re still healthy enough to swim and bike, this could be the race for you as you rehab your running injury.

Try a Swim-Run Race

There are several types of swim-run races offered in the multi-sport world. Some races (like Ötillö events) are quite intense and require specific equipment. This isn’t a reason not to race these events, but they do need a bit more planning (with the need for extra gear, you cannot simply show up to a race and do it). There are races like the aquathlon, however, which are essentially a triathlon without the bike. This means you don’t need any extra equipment — whatever you have for regular triathlon will do.

Aquathlons come in two formats. One format sees athletes run, hop into of the water for quick swim, then get back to the run course for a final leg. If water temperatures are too cold and require a wetsuit, however, races will often use a swim-run format with just two legs to the event.

As with the aquabike, there are certainly aquathlon-specific events offered around the world, but if you cannot find one near you, you can always do a relay. Of course, unlike with the swim-bike relay, this option will have you waiting around for a bit while your teammate completes the bike ride.

Swim-run races are an excellent way to get comfortable swimming with a group in open water without needing to commit to the full (and sometimes daunting) format of a triathlon. Once you’ve tried one or two swim-runs, you’ll likely be itching to add another leg to your race.

Race a Single-Sport Event

If you’ve never raced any kind of event, you may want to enter a single-sport race. Run a 5K, hop into a bike race or test your favourite stroke in a masters swimming competition. Racing any of the three sports of triathlon before doing your first multi-sport race is by no means necessary, but it could help you deal with your nerves.

Firstly, you’ll see just how nice everyone is at these races and feel a real sense of community. Secondly, entering any race will give you the motivation to keep training, and it will also highlight areas you need to improve. Finally, if you’ve never raced before, you have no clue just how fun it can be. Even if you show up to a chill and easy local running race, you’ll probably leave craving more, so you’ll probably be on the start line of a triathlon (or another kind of race) in no time at all.

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