Edinburgh RC Triathlon Section
The ERC Tri Squad is Edinburgh RC’s multi-sport sub-section. We promote triathlon to all ages and abilities through a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. Whether you’re a total beginner or racing competitively, we have lots to offer. The club is run by the members and everyone has the chance to get involved.
Follow the latest club triathlon news on the ERC TriSquad Facebook page.
You can contact the Triathlon Coordinator for more information about ERC Triathlon activities.
The club offer many benefits to members:
- Access to qualified triathlon coaches and to specialist coaches in swimming, running and cycling
- Organised open-water swimming sessions
- Coached swimming
- Shared and organised transport to races
- Club handicap competition (most improved member)
- Training weekends, swimming galas, X-Country running, spinning, duathlon training and more.
Duathlon
The sport for non-swimmers or for those who want to specialise in just two sports. Normally the format is Run-Bike-Run. The main distances for Duathlon are:
Sprint - 5km Run, 20km Cycle and 5km Run
Short Course - 10km Run, 40km Cycle and 5km Run
Short Course - 20km Run, 120km Cycle and 10km Run
Duathlon is recognised by the ITU (International Triathlon Union) as a separate sport and has world cup events, as well as World and European elite and age group championships each year.
Triathlon
Triathlon is an exciting multi- discipline sport encompassing swimming, cycling and running. Each competitor races against the clock, beginning with a swim, followed by a cycle and finally ending with a run. The distances for triathlon vary enormously as highlighted below:
Novice - 400m Swim, 10km Cycle and 3km Run
Sprint - 750m Swim, 20km Cycle and 5km Run
Standard - 1500m Swim, 40km Cycle and 10km Run
Half-Ironman - 1900m Swim, 90km Cycle and 21km Run
Ironman - 3800m Swim, 180km Cycle and 42km Run
Most races have the swim section in a pool, where competitors start at 5 second intervals in waves of 20 30 people.
There are a number of open water events that require a wetsuit to take part. Generally these are mass start events for more experienced competitors. The championship events are always open water races.
In general the vast majority of club triathletes compete in sprint and standard distance triathlons. However there are several club members who have competed over ironman and half ironman distances.
In triathlon the swim-bike- run is continuous, the clock doesn’t stop, hence triathlon is often known to have a fourth discipline - transitions. The transitions occur in set aside areas where bikes are racked and you can change for the bike section and later for the run section.
What equipment do I need?
The basic requirement for competing in triathlons is swimwear, a bike, a helmet and a pair of trainers. However if you need equipment the club does have various bits for hire. If you do not have all the equipment don’t be put off, come along and train in some of the other activities.
How fit do I need to be?
Many members come to the ERC training sessions just to keep fit and to socialise, but if you decide to try a race there will be plenty of support from your club mates. There are big variations in fitness levels among people competing in triathlons, and because there are separate finishing categories for age and gender you are competing not only for overall race position but also in your category as well.
As a yardstick one should ideally be aiming to train in the three disciplines - swimming, cycling and running - at least once a week. If you are aiming to be competitive, then hours spent training may increase substantially. The club has a multitude of racers differing in age, gender and fitness levels. So whatever your level there will always be someone to train and compete with.
How do I enter races?
In Scotland the national governing body for the sport of Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathon and other multi-sport events is TriathlonScotland. Their website is: triathlonscotland.org. The Triathlon and Duathlon Calendar in Scotland is published on the TriathlonScotland website and in the handbook. Members of TriathlonScotland enjoy discounted race entry fees; insurance that covers them while racing and training; a newsletter etc. Most race organisers advertise their email addresses and/or telephone numbers on the event diary so it is easy to get in touch for an application form. Increasingly popular is online entry (eg. entrycentral.com) where you can enter a race online and pay by credit card.