THE TRIATHLON DISTANCES FOR ADULT
XS distance (initiation): 400 m swim, 10 km cycle, 2.5 km run
S distance (Sprint): 750 m swim, 20 km cycle, 5 km run
M distance or SD (Short Distance): 1500 m swim, 40 km cycle, 10 km run
L distance: 3000 m swim, 80 km cycle, 20 km run
Half Ironman distance or 70.3 (total distance of the race in miles): 1900 m swim, 90 km cycle, 21 km run
XL distance or LD (Long Distance): 4000 m swim, 120 km cycle, 30 km run
XXL distance or Ironman: 3800 m swim, 180 km cycle, 42.195 km run
The M distance is also known as the Olympic distance, i.e. the standard triathlon race format. We had to wait until the year 2000 for the triathlon to be accepted as an Olympic sport at the Sydney Olympics. At the same time, many international competitions organised by the sports federations such as the World Championships (known as the WTS: World Triathlon Series) with the Sprint and Olympic race format, the long-distance triathlon world championships and the Triathlon World Cup, etc.
As for the paratriathlon, it was accepted as a Paralympic sport for the first time at the summer Paralympics of Rio in 2016.
The Holy Grail for many triathletes is the Ironman race format which has consequently become a brand that certifies 250 triathlon events throughout the world. The price for the initiation and sprint triathlon events is between €20 and €30, while the Olympic distance rarely exceeds €50. However, the half Ironman and Ironman race formats are much more expensive: between €80 and €250 for a half race format (or more if you sign up late) and between €400 and €500 for an Ironman (or more if you sign up at the last moment).