How much does a triathlon start cost? Equipment, slot, training, prices

Triathlon in Russia is gaining popularity. Leading starts gather hundreds of participants. At the same time, there is an opinion that triathlon is a sport for wealthy people and not everyone can afford to go to a triathlon start. We calculated how much it would cost to participate in a triathlon start and prepare for it. The sum turned out to be quite affordable.

Alexandra Zakharova, IRONSTAR spokeswoman and novice triathlete, helped us answer the question “how much does a triathlon start cost?

Triathlon can not be attributed to budget sports, but everyone can definitely try to participate.

At the initial stage, almost all equipment can be rented, and to prepare for a short distance, for example, sprint, a month of focused training will be enough for a person leading an active lifestyle.

The sprint is half of the Olympic triathlon distance. It includes a 750 m swim, a 20 km bike race and a 5 km run. The full Ironman triathlon distance is 226 km: 3.86 km swim, 180 km bike race and 42.2 km run (marathon).

Table of Contents

Swimming

Triathlete during the swim

Training

A triathlon start starts with swimming. Learning to swim crawl to cover 500 to 1000 meters in a month is quite realistic. You can go to a swimming school, where they guarantee that you can swim quite well in a month. Of course, everything is individual, but most people can do it.

A course at the I Love Swimming school (3 times a week for a month) – 19 500 rubles.

Equipment

For swimming you will need a bathing suit/swimsuit, slippers, cap, towel and goggles.

Swimsuit/swimwear: from 1000 rubles.
Goggles: from 1000 rubles.
Cap: about 500 rubles (in I Love Swimming they give it out for free).

To start with, you can buy everything in a regular sports store. For example, the budget brand MadWave. You can also find good offers from top brands like Speedo and TYR.

Bike

A triathlete suited up during a cycling race

A triathlete wearing equipment during a bicycle race

Training

Bike training is one of the biggest expenses when preparing for a start, but you can’t do without it. You need to learn how to sit properly, buckle in and out, turn, brake, and shift speeds. It is better to do everything “for real” at once and learn with contact pedals. You will immediately feel the difference of pedaling in “contacts”. It is still worth it to splurge on cycling shoes, which can be found for affordable money. There are some very budget-friendly ones, too.

One full-time training session with a trainer will cost from 2000 rubles.

An alternative is group training, which is even more fun. I Love Cycling has a cycling school, where you can get a bicycle license after the lessons.

Equipment

If none of your triathlete friends are willing to give up their old bike, the best way to start is to rent it for training and starts. There are bicycle rentals, for example, in Krylatskoe.

Rent will cost from 700 rubles per training session.
Buying a bicycle – from 20 thousand rubles.

Buy a used bicycle with an aluminum frame can be and for 20 thousand. Such a bike can be found, for example, at the triathlon flea market in Fasebook or through the services of selling used things. For the first time, such a bike is definitely suitable. Technique and endurance are often much more important than the bike model.

Lifehack: buy bicycle equipment gradually. For everything at once you will have to splurge.

It is absolutely necessary to buy:

Cycling shoes: from 3000 rubles.
Helmet: from 2000 rubles. The average price – 5-6 thousand rubles.
Cycling shorts from 2000 rubles. Average price – 4-5 thousand rubles.
Jersey (cycling jersey) from 2000 rubles. At the initial stage you can do with an ordinary sports jersey.

Optional:

Glasses can be found for 1000 rubles. Branded brands will cost from 7 thousand rubles.
Socks – about 1000 rubles.

It is customary for cyclists to buy special long socks up to the middle of the shin, but you can do without them.

Running

A triathlete during a race

Training

Of course, you can learn to run on your own, but it is better to get support from professionals.

A one-month course at the I Love Running school starts from 8900 rubles.

Online course for 5 km running – from 1290 rubles.

Equipment

You only need sneakers for running, but don’t skimp on them. To avoid unnecessary injuries and feel comfortable on the distance, look for inexpensive running shoes.

Sneakers for running: not bad models can be found for 3-4 thousand rubles.

Start

For the start it is better to buy a starting suit or a trisuit. This is a merged or separate suit, which is very convenient to go through the entire race from start to finish, without wasting time on changing clothes. Although in your first start you can not rush anywhere, but it will add convenience.

A starting suit can be found for 5 thousand rubles.

If the weather is cool, you will need a wetsuit for the swimming stage. It is better to rent it.

Buying a wetsuit – from 10 thousand rubles. You can look for a used one.

Rent – about 500 rubles. per day.

Start slot

The start slot depends on the organizer and the race. It should be remembered that the closer the start, the more expensive the slots and the fewer they are. It is better to choose and book your start slot in advance.

Slot for the sprint “Titan” – from 1500 rubles.
Sprint “Thunder” slot – about 3500 rubles.
IRONSTAR sprint slot – about 5000 rubles.
Slot for Ironman (226 km) – from 10 thousand rubles.

Medical certificate and insurance

To participate in a triathlon-start you will be required to have a medical certificate of admission to the competition. It may cost differently. You should focus on 800-1500 rubles. Insurance is also a mandatory document for access to the start.

Certificate of admission to competitions: about 1000 rubles.
Insurance: from 400 rubles.

Road

If you choose a race far from home, you need to take into account the cost of travel and accommodation. To begin with, it is better to find a start closer to save this money.

Bottom line

The spread of the final sum can be colossal. It all depends on your capabilities and desire. If you approach the matter responsibly, but at the same time economically, then with preparation, equipment and a starting slot for the sprint you can fit into the amount close to 70 thousand rubles. Approximately in so much you will cost you triathlon-start. This is not a small amount, but also not as expensive as many people think. You can, of course, train on your own, buy a slot, come to the start in sneakers, rent a bike and make it within 10 thousand rubles, but it is unlikely that such a start will give you pleasure.

Total amount: from 70 thousand rubles.