Rise of Triathlon

Triathlon ~ the rise of a sport

According to the USAT (USA Triathlon Organization), the sport continues to gain popularity despite hard economic times. People are signing up for races in record numbers; annual USAT membership increased by 14.2% just in 2009, with more than 125,000 belonging to the organization.
It has been the fastest growing sport in the US since it first appeared at the Olympics in 2000. One of the reasons for it popularity is the fact that there is a race for anyone who is willing to train. Distances range from the very short, or “Sprints” to extreme endurance “Ironman” to the in between, “Olympic” and “Half-Iron” distances. Races may be either on or off road. It is possible to race as and individual or to compete as a team in a relay with one person doing each leg. Really the sport offers something for everyone. There are also other multi-sports venues for those who are not fond of the swim, bike, run. For the non-swimmer, there is the Duathlon, which is a run, bike, run, or there are a multitude of Adventure Races, which may include things like paddling, climbing, and repelling.
If you are interested in training for your first multi-sports event or you are an experienced Triathlete the Middlesex YMCA is a great place to train, and to meet training partners. The Middlesex Y is hosting a number of triathlon, and multi-sports focused events including a Fitness Contest, with the goal of completing the Ironman Distance in less then a month (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run), an indoor winter sprint series on February 27th, March 13t, hMarch 27th, and April 10th (email: kchampagne@midymca.org for details). We will also be hosting our first YMCA Camp Ingersoll Off Road Duathlon on April 24th 2010, and our 3rd Annual Camp Ingersoll Youth Triathlon on August 8th 2010. Hope to see you there!