As a multi-sport athlete, you compete in a single event with multiple disciplines. In training for a specific triathlon, it is helpful to compete in shorter races earlier in your training season. This will give you the opportunity to experience the race atmosphere and to gauge how your training is progressing. As a multi-sport athlete, you have other race options that involve a swim, bike, or run. These options consist of two out of the three triathlon events and are a good way to practice your transitions and add some variety to your training.

Aquathlon/Aquathon – This event has both a swim and a run and varies in the distance of each leg. Most aquathlon swims are around 1000-1500m and are followed by a 5-10k run. This swim/run event requires minimal equipment. All you need is a pair of goggles and your running shoes. This event is becoming more popular, and you might find that your local triathlon club sponsors aquathon races for its members.

Duathlon - The duathlon is sometimes confused with a biathlon. A biathlon involves skiing and shooting, where a duathlon includes running and biking. A duathlon usually has three legs starting with a run, then bike, and another run. Duathlons can be stand alone events, or combined with a triathlon. Like the aquathlon, duathlons also vary in distance and might include a 10k run, 40k bike, and a 5k run.

Aquabike – When I first heard this term, the first thing that popped into my head was a bike sitting in a swimming pool. (Apparently, this type of waterproof bike exists, but is not used in an Aquabike event.) In Aquabike, you complete the first two legs of a triathlon. These swim/bike events tend to appeal to racers that are unable to run due to injuries. The Aquabike event is still in its early stages, and is usually a half-iron distance.

If you are solely a swimmer, biker, or runner, these events allow you to mix up your endurance training and racing schedule. Aquathlons, duathlons, and Aquabikes are events where you can “try-on” a multi-sport event. If you are interested in triathlon, but you do not have a bike, search for an aquathon. If your current weather conditions are not conducive to an event which includes swimming, seek out a duathlon. If your knees tend to bother you after running, look up the Aquabike. And luckily, if all three are appealing, there is a race to fit that instance too.