How a triathlon works

1. A triathlon is a swim, a bike ride and a run, done one after another without a break. The swim usually has a mass start: everyone goes on one horn.
2. Athletes change between the three in the transition area, and the time spent there counts.
3. In elite sprint races riders may ride close behind each other, drafting, so they form packs. In age-group and long-distance races drafting is not allowed.
4. The clock runs from the swim start to the finish line. The first athlete whose torso crosses the line wins.

How long

The standard distance is a 1500 m swim, a 40 km bike ride and a 10 km run. The sprint distance is half of that.