Frequently Asked Questions

What is Triathlon?

Triathlon is rightly regarded as one of the Ireland's fastest growing sports. It is an endurance and versatility sport, in which the individual athlete carries out a swimming, a cycling, and a running segment, in the said order, and with the clock running during transitions. Triathlons come in various distances, the standard are:

Sprint : 750m Swim, 20k Cycle, 5k Run

Standard (OLYMPIC) : 1500m Swim, 40K Cycle, 10k Run

Long (IRONMAN): 3800m Swim, 180k cycle, 42.2k Run

In addition to the standard distances, other distance events are often held, including shorter events aimed specifically at beginners ("Try-Athlons") or Half-Ironman events at half the full Ironman distance.

The Mullaghmore Triathlon includes a short swim option at 300m long, which is ideal for the novice swimmer who may feel their swimming ability precludes them from trying the sport.

In addition to individual competitors, many opt for the relay option, where one can join with others and partake in that element of the event best suited to their own abilities.

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?
We've found that Triathlon is a great sport for people as it's very accessible, you don't need to be super fit. It has great variety as you're not always doing the same thing. It tends to attract social friendly types and fits in well with a variety of life styles.

What Equipment do I need to start?
You don't have to go out and spend a fortune when preparing for your first triathlon, but there are some basics you will need, they are:
Swim: swimming togs, goggles, hat, wetsuit (it is compulsory to wear a wetsuit in all open sea swims.
Cycle: basic bike – mountain, hybrid or racer. Helmet, you will not be allowed to race without one.
Run: runners

Once you have done a race or two, you will probably want to upgrade to a better bike, get a faster wetsuit and buy better runners.

What should I wear?
Don't worry too much about what to wear, especially for your first tri.
There are triathlon specific apparel you can wear, but for your first race, togs for the swim, Shirt/Jersey and shorts for the bike and run, whatever is in the back of the wardrobe!!!

Just remember guys (and girls too!!!) you must have your chest covered during the cycle and run.

A wetsuit must be worn for all open water swims.

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 is a Duathlon?

You may hear from time to time about 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. Like Triathlon, there are varying distances. In Ireland, the most common distances are:

3.5km run, 16km cycle, 3.5km run (non-standard distance) or;
5km run, 20km cycle, 2.5km run (ITU sprint distance) or;
10km run, 40km cycle, 5km run (ITU standard distance)

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 is Transition?
Transition is the term used to describe the change over between the individual segments of a Triathlon, Duathlon or Aquathon.

Transition 1 (also known as T1) occurs between the:
swim and cycle in a triathlon
first run and cycle in a duathlon
swim and run in an aquathon

Transition 2 (also known as T2) occurs between the:
cycle and run in a triathlon
cycle and second run in a duathlon

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 over 100 different races in the Triathlon Ireland calendar, in all corners of the country.