In a triathlon, what order are the three sports done?
Short answer: Swim, bike, run
Triathlon combines swimming, cycling, and running in that sequence.
Groan of the day: Swim, bike, run: that is the tri-fecta order.
Sources: Triathlon
Study guides · Stuff Every Multisport Scout Should Know
Stuff Every Multisport Scout Should Know: the Study Guide
Practice facts for the Multisport merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Multisport Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Chapter 1: Running
What does the Greek word part 'tri' in triathlon mean?
Short answer: Three
Triathlon comes from Greek treis, meaning three, plus athlos, meaning competition.
Groan of the day: Tri means three, so a triathlon has tri-umph times three.
Sources: Triathlon
What does an aquathlon consist of?
Short answer: Swimming and running
Aquathlon is a multisport variation with only swimming and running stages.
Groan of the day: Aquathlon: a splash and a dash.
Sources: Triathlon
What two sports make up an aquabike event?
Short answer: Swimming and cycling
Aquabike combines only swimming and cycling stages.
Groan of the day: Aquabike: pedal and paddle your way to the finish.
Sources: Triathlon
What two sports does a duathlon include?
Short answer: Cycling and running
Duathlon is composed of only cycling and running stages.
Groan of the day: Duathlon means two sports, so you du twice the fun.
Sources: Triathlon
What is the first transition, T1, in a triathlon?
Short answer: Swim to bike
T1 is the changeover between the swimming and cycling segments.
Groan of the day: T1 is where you go from wet to wheels.
Sources: Triathlon
Why is transition often called the fourth discipline?
Short answer: It counts toward total time
Time spent in transition is timed and adds to the overall finishing time.
Groan of the day: Transition: the fourth discipline, and the fastest costume change.
Sources: Triathlon
What are 'bricks' in triathlon training?
Short answer: Back-to-back workouts of two sports
Bricks are back-to-back workouts, most commonly cycling then running.
Groan of the day: Bricks build your run after the bike, one block at a time.
Sources: Triathlon
Why do triathletes often swim with less vigorous leg kicks?
Short answer: To save leg muscles for biking and running
Triathletes conserve leg muscles for the cycling and running stages that follow.
Groan of the day: Save your kick for the bike and run, or you will be leg-less later.
Sources: Triathlon
What is 'sighting' during an open water swim?
Short answer: Raising your head to find buoys or landmarks
Open water swims require sighting to look for course markers without wasting energy.
Groan of the day: Sighting keeps you on course, so you do not swim in circles.
Sources: Triathlon
What is drafting in the swim stage?
Short answer: Following closely in another swimmer's slipstream
Swimmers can gain advantage by following a competitor closely in their slipstream.
Groan of the day: Drafting in the water: catch the wave, not a cold.
Sources: Triathlon
When must a competitor put on their bike helmet?
Short answer: Before mounting the bike
The helmet must be on before mounting the bike and stay on until dismounting.
Groan of the day: Helmet first, then hop on, or you will be dis-qualified.
Sources: Triathlon
What happens if a triathlete mounts the bike before the mount line?
Short answer: A time penalty
Mounting before the marked line can incur a time penalty.
Groan of the day: Cross the line before you ride, or your time takes a hit.
Sources: Triathlon
Are flippers allowed during the swim in triathlon?
Short answer: No, they can cause disqualification
Swim propulsion and flotation aids like flippers are illegal and can cause disqualification.
Groan of the day: No flippers, or you will flip out of the race.
Sources: Triathlon
Which triathlon distance is most common in the United States?
Short answer: Sprint
Sprint triathlons are the most common triathlon distance in the United States.
Groan of the day: Sprint is the popular pick, so you can sprint to sign up.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a relay triathlon?
Short answer: A team where each person does a segment
In relay triathlons, team members take turns doing a segment of the race.
Groan of the day: Relay: pass the baton, or in this case, the swim cap.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a mass start in triathlon?
Short answer: All athletes start on one signal
In a mass start, all athletes enter the water and begin on a single start signal.
Groan of the day: Mass start: everyone splashes in together.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a wave start in triathlon?
Short answer: Smaller groups begin every few minutes
In wave starts, smaller groups begin the race every few minutes.
Groan of the day: Wave start: go with your group, not the whole ocean.
Sources: Triathlon
What are aid stations on the bike and run courses for?
Short answer: Providing water and energy drinks
Aid stations provide water and energy drinks to athletes as they pass.
Groan of the day: Aid stations are a drink away from a good race.
Sources: Triathlon
What is the Ironman World Championship swim, bike, and run location?
Short answer: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
The Ironman World Championship is held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Groan of the day: Kona: where the heat is on and the athletes are on fire.
Sources: Triathlon
Where was the first modern swim, bike, run event held?
Short answer: Mission Bay, San Diego
The first modern swim, bike, run event was held at Mission Bay, San Diego, in 1974.
Groan of the day: San Diego started the modern triathlon, so it is the original tri-town.
Sources: Triathlon
When did triathlon debut as an Olympic medal sport?
Short answer: 2000 Sydney Games
Triathlon made its Olympic debut at the Sydney Games in 2000.
Groan of the day: Sydney 2000: triathlon swam, biked, and ran onto the Olympic stage.
Sources: Triathlon
When did paratriathlon debut at the Summer Paralympics?
Short answer: 2016 Rio de Janeiro
Paratriathlon debuted at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Groan of the day: Rio 2016: paratriathlon made its Paralympic debut.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a cross triathlon made of?
Short answer: Swimming, mountain biking, and trail running
Cross triathlon consists of swimming, mountain biking, and trail running.
Groan of the day: Cross triathlon: take the road less traveled, and the trail too.
Sources: Triathlon
What is an indoor triathlon made of?
Short answer: Pool swim, stationary bike, and treadmill run
Indoor triathlon consists of a pool swim, stationary bike, and indoor track or treadmill run.
Groan of the day: Indoor triathlon: no weather worries, just workout worries.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a swimrun event?
Short answer: Alternating swimming and running without transition
Swimrun alternates swimming and running stages without transition.
Groan of the day: Swimrun: wet feet, dry feet, repeat.
Sources: Triathlon
What is an equilateral triathlon?
Short answer: Each leg takes about equal time
In an equilateral triathlon, each leg takes approximately equal time.
Groan of the day: Equilateral tri: balanced legs, balanced effort.
Sources: Triathlon
What is an ultra-triathlon?
Short answer: A triathlon longer than full distance
Triathlons longer than full distance are classed as ultra-triathlons.
Groan of the day: Ultra-tri: ultra long, ultra tough.
Sources: Triathlon
What is the 111 distance triathlon?
Short answer: 1 km swim, 100 km bike, 10 km run
The 111 distance is 1 km swim, 100 km bike, and 10 km run, totaling 111 km.
Groan of the day: 111: one swim, one long ride, one run.
Sources: Triathlon
What is the 222 distance triathlon?
Short answer: Double the 111 distance
The 222 distance is double the 111 distance.
Groan of the day: 222: twice the 111, twice the challenge.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a Clydesdale division in some triathlons?
Short answer: A weight-based division for heavier men
Under USA Triathlon rules, Clydesdale athletes are men over 100 kg.
Groan of the day: Clydesdale: a heavyweight division with a heavy-duty name.
Sources: Triathlon
What is an Athena division in some triathlons?
Short answer: A weight-based division for heavier women
Under USA Triathlon rules, Athena athletes are women over 75 kg.
Groan of the day: Athena: a division named for a goddess, for good reason.
Sources: Triathlon
What are age groupers in triathlon?
Short answer: Amateur athletes grouped by sex and age
Amateurs are often called age groupers since they are classified by sex and age.
Groan of the day: Age groupers race their peers, not the pros.
Sources: Triathlon
What does a race number and colored swim cap help with at a triathlon?
Short answer: Identifying athletes during the race
After registration, racers are often provided a race number and colored swim cap.
Groan of the day: Wear your number and cap so you are easy to spot.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a timing band used for in a triathlon?
Short answer: Electronic timing of the athlete
If the event is electronically timed, racers may get a timing band.
Groan of the day: A timing band keeps your race time on track.
Sources: Triathlon
Why might triathletes leave cycling shoes attached to the pedals?
Short answer: To slip feet in while riding and save transition time
Racers may leave cycling shoes on the pedals and slip feet in while riding.
Groan of the day: Shoes on pedals: a fast foot-in for transition.
Sources: Triathlon
Why do some triathletes skip socks?
Short answer: To decrease time spent in transition
Some triathletes do not wear socks, decreasing time spent in transition.
Groan of the day: No socks means no time lost socking it to the clock.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a wetsuit thickness limit under World Triathlon rules?
Short answer: 5 mm
Under World Triathlon rules, no wetsuit may be thicker than 5 mm.
Groan of the day: Five millimeters is the limit, so do not go overboard.
Sources: Triathlon
At what water temperature are wetsuits legal in sanctioned events?
Short answer: 26 °C or less
Wetsuits are legal in sanctioned events when surface water is 26 °C or less.
Groan of the day: Cool water means wetsuit weather.
Sources: Triathlon
Why might race directors ban wetsuits above 29 °C?
Short answer: To prevent overheating
Wetsuits may be discouraged or banned above 29 °C due to overheating risk.
Groan of the day: Too warm for a wetsuit, or you will overheat.
Sources: Triathlon
What is drafting on the bike in a non-drafting race?
Short answer: Following closely behind another cyclist
Drafting on the bike in a non-drafting race can incur a time penalty.
Groan of the day: No drafting means no free ride behind another cyclist.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a transition area in triathlon?
Short answer: A staging area for bikes and gear
The transition area is where bicycles, running shoes, and gear are set up.
Groan of the day: Transition: your gear's parking spot.
Sources: Triathlon
How many transition areas can a point-to-point triathlon have?
Short answer: Two separate areas
Some point-to-point events have two separate transition areas.
Groan of the day: Two transition areas means two chances to forget your shoes.
Sources: Triathlon
What does the swim leg of a triathlon typically follow in open water?
Short answer: A series of marked buoys
Open water swim courses typically proceed around a series of marked buoys.
Groan of the day: Follow the buoys and you will not be buoyed by confusion.
Sources: Triathlon
What is a common benefit of cross-training for triathletes?
Short answer: Fewer injuries than running alone
Triathletes encounter fewer injuries than those who only run, due to low impact swim and bike training.
Groan of the day: Cross-training spreads the load, so your joints can relax.
Sources: Triathlon
What does a triathlete do at the end of the bike segment to prepare for running?
Short answer: Cycle with a higher cadence
Triathletes often cycle with a higher cadence to keep muscles loose for running.
Groan of the day: Spin faster at the end to run better after.
Sources: Triathlon
What should you do first if you suspect a concussion during activity?
Short answer: Stop and seek qualified medical evaluation
Concussions need prompt evaluation by qualified medical personnel, not continued play.
Groan of the day: Do not try to shake off a head knock; let a pro check your bell.
Sources: Scouting America: Multisport
What does RICE treatment for a sprain include?
Short answer: Rest, ice, compression, elevation
RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation for sprains and strains.
Groan of the day: RICE is the cool recipe for a sprain.
Sources: Scouting America: Multisport
Why is an annual physical examination useful before sports training?
Short answer: It reviews health, medications, allergies, and history
A physical covers overall health, immunizations, medications, allergies, and medical history.
Groan of the day: A physical is a check-up, not a check-out from training.
Sources: Scouting America: Multisport
What does riding predictably mean for a cyclist?
Short answer: Riding in a steady, expected way
Riding predictably means behaving in a steady way others can anticipate.
Groan of the day: Ride predictably so drivers can read you like a book.
Sources: Scouting America: Multisport
The cheat sheet
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
- Triathlon combines swimming, cycling, and running in that sequence.
- Triathlon comes from Greek treis, meaning three, plus athlos, meaning competition.
- Aquathlon is a multisport variation with only swimming and running stages.
- Aquabike combines only swimming and cycling stages.
- Duathlon is composed of only cycling and running stages.
- T1 is the changeover between the swimming and cycling segments.
- Time spent in transition is timed and adds to the overall finishing time.
- Bricks are back-to-back workouts, most commonly cycling then running.
- Triathletes conserve leg muscles for the cycling and running stages that follow.
- Open water swims require sighting to look for course markers without wasting energy.
- Swimmers can gain advantage by following a competitor closely in their slipstream.
- The helmet must be on before mounting the bike and stay on until dismounting.
Pop quiz
Think of your answer first, then peek.
- In a triathlon, what order are the three sports done?
- Swim, bike, run
- Bike, swim, run
- Run, bike, swim
Show the answer
Swim, bike, run. Triathlon combines swimming, cycling, and running in that sequence.
- What is drafting in the swim stage?
- Swimming alone in a lane
- Following closely in another swimmer's slipstream
- Swimming with flippers
Show the answer
Following closely in another swimmer's slipstream. Swimmers can gain advantage by following a competitor closely in their slipstream.
- Where was the first modern swim, bike, run event held?
- Nice, France
- Plzeň, Czechoslovakia
- Mission Bay, San Diego
Show the answer
Mission Bay, San Diego. The first modern swim, bike, run event was held at Mission Bay, San Diego, in 1974.
- What is a Clydesdale division in some triathlons?
- A weight-based division for heavier men
- A division for older athletes
- A division for beginners
Show the answer
A weight-based division for heavier men. Under USA Triathlon rules, Clydesdale athletes are men over 100 kg.
- What is drafting on the bike in a non-drafting race?
- Passing on the left
- Following closely behind another cyclist
- Riding with a helmet
Show the answer
Following closely behind another cyclist. Drafting on the bike in a non-drafting race can incur a time penalty.
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