Watch a live event

Before you take part in a triathlon we recommend that you watch a couple of events before hand. This will give you a good insight and understanding to know what happens during a race. Stand near a transitional area to get an idea of how to rack your bike, when to mount and dismount and watch how others do through the drink stations on the course.

Select an event

As you are just starting out Tri NZ recommends that you take part in a short distance events which consist of around a 100-300m swim, 8-15km ride and a 2-4km run. The swim leg is normally done in shallow water to ensure your safety.
The key events that you could participate in are:

• Contact Tri Series 3:9:3 -300m swim, 9km bike, 3km run

• TriWoman series – 300m swim, 9km bike, 3km run

• Contact Duathlon short distance – 3km run/walk, 10km bike, 3km run/walk


Finding a Triathlon Club

Another great way to find out more information about triathlon or multiport is through your local triathlon club. Most clubs will have people that specialise in triathlon, multisport or duathlon and also have a person who looks after junior competitors. The best person to speak to is the club president or secretary. For a list of Triathlon Clubs click here:

Local triathlon clubs often have a number of training sessions available for you to partake in some are formal sessions and some are informal meetings. There are also many training camps available across the country for age group athletes which a usually put on by private coaches.


Finding a Triathlon Coach

If you are not keen on joining directly to a triathlon club you may choose to find a coach
nearest to you. One of the key benefits of having a coach is that they can provide you with programmes that are suited to you and give you advice, tips and hints so that you can maximise your performance.

Tri NZ recommends that you use an Accredited Coach as they have fulfilled a number of requirements that we believe are important for coaching effectively and safely. For a full list of Tri NZ Accredited Coaches click here:

Before you select a coach you may want to arrange to meet them and have a chat to find out whether you would enjoy their training sessions and to make sure you get along with them and feel comfortable. This is important as you will need to trust and rely on their advice over time.

Age Group Competition

Once you have completed a few triathlons you may feel the urge to take on a new challenge. This usually involves competing in longer events or progress into some more serious racing.

The longer events consist of super sprint, sprint, standard (Olympic), long and ultra long distance.

• Super Sprint Distance: 500m swim, 16km bike, 4km run

• Sprint Distance: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run

• Standard or Olympic Distance: 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run

• Long Distance: (typically your half ironman distance) 2-3km swim, 80-120km bike, 20-30km run

• Ultra Distance: (typically your ironman) 3-4km swim, 100-180km ride, 30-42km run


Once you are at this level there are really limitless races across the country which you can
take part in each year. However for most age group athletes the key events are:

• Local races which your Triathlon Club or private promoters put on in your region
 
• New Zealand Olympic Distance Triathlon Champs 

• New Zealand Olympic Distance Duathlon Champs 

• Ironman distance events