Editing Triathlon (section)

==Race organization==
In general, participation in a triathlon requires an athlete to register and sign up in advance of the actual race. After registration, racers are often provided a race number, colored [[swim cap]], and, if the event is being electronically timed, a timing band. Athletes will either be provided or briefed on details of the course, rules, and any problems to look out for (road conditions, closures, traffic lights, [[aid station]]s).<ref name="FirstTri">{{cite book|last1=Watson|first1=Lance|last2=Motz|first2=Jason|title=First Triathlon: Your Perfect Plan to Success|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qJdicyVqjRAC&pg=PA13|year=2010|publisher=Meyer & Meyer Verlag|isbn=978-1-84126-116-4|pages=13–16}}</ref> At a major event, such as an [[Ironman Triathlon|Ironman]] or a long course championship, triathletes may be required to set up and check-in their bike in the transition area a day or two before the race start, leaving it overnight and under guard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ironman.com/assets/files/races/worldchampionship/pdf/2009_Ford_Ironman_World_Championship_Athlete_Guide.pdf|title=2009 Athlete Information Guide&nbsp;– Ironman World Championship|year=2009|publisher=Ironman&nbsp;– World Triathlon Corporation|page=9|access-date=15 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007104151/http://ironman.com/assets/files/races/worldchampionship/pdf/2009_Ford_Ironman_World_Championship_Athlete_Guide.pdf|archive-date=7 October 2009}}</ref>

On the day of the race, before the start of competition, athletes will generally be provided with a bike rack to hold their bicycle and a small section of ground space for shoes, clothing, etc. in the transition area. In some triathlons, there are two transition areas, one for the swim/bike change, then one for the bike/run change at a different location.<ref name="Plant">{{cite book|last=Plant|first=Mike|title=Triathlon: going the distance|year=1987|publisher=Contemporary Books|isbn=978-0-8092-4774-5|url=https://archive.org/details/triathlongoingdi00plan|url-access=registration}}</ref>

[[File:Speedsuit.jpg|thumb|Competition and pressure for faster times have led to the development of specialized triathlon clothing that is adequate for both swimming and cycling, such as [[speedsuit]]s.]]
[[File:Parvati Shallow.jpg|thumb|Reality TV's "Survivor" contestant, [[Parvati Shallow]], dressed to compete in the 2008 Nautica Triathlon Malibu Individual Open for females.]]
Racers are generally categorized into separate [[professional]] and [[amateur]] categories. Amateurs, who make up the large majority of triathletes, are often referred to as "age groupers" since they are typically further classified by sex and age; which offers the opportunity to compete against others of one's own gender and age group. The age groups are defined in five- or ten-year intervals.<ref name="Plant" /> There is typically a lower age limit; which can vary from race to race. In some triathlons, heavier amateur athletes may have the option to compete against others closer to their own weight since weight is often considered an impediment to speed. As an example, under [[USA Triathlon]] rules, "[[Clydesdale horse|Clydesdale]]" athletes are those men over {{convert|220|lb|kg|abbr=on|order=flip}}, while "[[Athena]]" athletes are women over {{convert|165|lb|kg|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name="USAT Rules">{{cite web|url=http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/rulebook.aspx|title=USA Triathlon Competitive Rules|date=January 2013|publisher=[[USA Triathlon]]|access-date=5 March 2014}}</ref> Other races and organizations can choose whether or not to offer Clydesdale- and Athena-type divisions and set their own weight standards.

Depending on the type and size of the race, there may be any of the following methods implemented to start the race. In a mass start, all athletes enter the water and begin the competition following a single start signal. In wave start events, smaller groups of athletes begin the race every few minutes. An athlete's wave is usually determined either by age group or by predicted swim time. Wave starts are more common in shorter races where a large number of amateur athletes are competing.<ref name="Hanlon">{{cite book|last=Hanlon|first=Thomas W.|title=The sports rules book|year=2009|publisher=Human Kinetics|edition=3|isbn=978-0-7360-7632-6|page=272}}</ref> Another option is individual time trial starts, where athletes enter the water one at a time, a few seconds apart.<ref name="HRMS">{{cite web|url=http://www.napervilletri.com/article.php?story=wavestart|title=Age Group Time Trial Swim Start|year=2010|publisher=HRMS Naperville Sprint Triathlon|access-date=23 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810120445/http://www.napervilletri.com/article.php?story=wavestart|archive-date=10 August 2009}}</ref>

The swim leg can occur in any available body of water, whether a natural body of water or a swimming pool. Swim legs not occurring in a swimming pool are considered [[open water swimming]] where the course typically proceeds around a series of marked [[buoys]] before athletes exit the water near the transition area. Racers exit out of the water, enter the transition area, and change from their swim gear and into their cycling gear. Competition and pressure for faster times have led to the development of specialized triathlon clothing that is adequate for both swimming and cycling, allowing many racers to have a transition that consists of only removing their wetsuit, cap, and goggles and pulling on a helmet and cycling shoes. In some cases, racers leave their cycling shoes attached to their bicycle pedals and slip their feet into them while riding. Some triathletes don't wear socks, decreasing their time spent in transition even more.

The cycling stage proceeds around a marked course, typically on public roads. In many cases, especially smaller triathlons, roads are not closed to automobiles; however, traffic coordinators are often present to help control traffic. Typically, the cycling stage finishes back at the same transition area. Racers enter the transition area, rack their bicycles, and quickly change into running shoes before heading out for the final stage. The running stage usually ends at a separate finish line near the transition area.

In most races, "[[aid station]]s" located on the bike and run courses provide water and energy drinks to the athletes as they pass by. Aid stations at longer events may often provide various types of food as well, including such items as [[energy bar]]s, [[energy gel]]s, fruit, cookies, soup, and ice.

Once the triathletes have completed the event, there is typically another aid station for them to get water, fruit, and other post-race refreshments. Occasionally, at the end of larger or longer events, the provided amenities and post-race celebrations may be more elaborate.