Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that isn't answered here, you can email it to info [at] brianborutrichallenge [dot] com.

1. Who can do a Triathlon?
2. What is a Triathlon?
3. What Equipment do I need to start?
4. What should I wear?
5. I can't swim, what can I do?
6. Does every member of a relay team need a one-day insurance license?

Who can do a Triathlon?

Anyone can do a triathlon. If you're in search of fitness and looking for a rewarding challenge, Triathlon is for you.

What is a Triathlon?

Triathlon is an endurance and versatility sport, in which the individual athlete carries out a swimming, a cycling, and a running segment, in that order, and with the clock running during transitions. Triathlons come in various distances, the standard distances are:

• Sprint : 750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run
• Standard: 1500m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run
• Middle: 1900m swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run
• Long : 3800m swim, 180k cycle, 42.2k run

What Equipment do I need to start?

You don't have to go out and spend a fortune when preparing for your first triathlon, but there are some basics you will need, they are:

• Swim: swimming togs, goggles, hat, wetsuit (it is compulsory to wear a wetsuit in all open sea swims.
• Cycle: basic bike – mountain, hybrid or racer. Helmet, you will not be allowed to race without one.
• Run: runners

Once you have done a race or two, you will probably want to upgrade to a better bike, get a faster wetsuit and buy better runners.

What should I wear?

Don't worry too much about what to wear, especially for your first tri. There are triathlon specific apparel you can wear, but for your first race, togs for the swim, Shirt/Jersey and shorts for the bike and run, whatever is in the back of the wardrobe!!!

Just remember guys (and girls too!!!) you must have your chest covered during the cycle and run.

A wetsuit must be worn for all open water swims.

I can't swim, what can I do?

Many local clubs give swimming lessons and can get you up to race fitness. If you do not want to swim, you may enter in a relay team to complete the Brian Boru Triathlon Challenge.

Does every member of a relay team need a one-day insurance license?

No, a single one-day insurance license covers all members of a relay team. Only if all members of a relay team are full TI members is no one-day license required.