Attend a triathlon race, and you will find a great diversity among its competitors. Most come with a strong background in one or two of the three disciplines and work hard to become proficient in the others. The races offer a variety of distances—Sprint, International, Long-Course, and Ironman. Some involve ocean swims (like the well-known Escape to Alcatraz triathlon); others require lake swims. Similarly, they can consist of road racing or mountain biking. Each type of race is specific to different endurance levels and physical skills. For example, the triathlon neophyte might opt for the Sprint distance, often consisting of a 600-yard swim, 12-mile bike ride, and 5k run.
“The beauty of the multi-sport is that it attracts a wide range of people—young, old, single, married, employed,” said Ron. “Married couples, even families, can complete a race together.”
Darrow Linder, a veteran triathlete, agrees. “The biggest misconception is that triathlons are only for the sports fanatic or elite athlete. But, I have known people with average athletic abilities complete the distances—even the Ironman—because they had extraordinary drive and ambition.”
The stories of determination are inspiring. Like those of the physically-handicapped people who, supported by the Challenged Athletes Foundation, compete in triathlons with prosthetic devices, hand-powered cycles, and wheelchairs. Or, like the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt who, as a father-and-son team, raced in over one hundred triathlons, including four Ironman distances. The odds were against them: Dick is sixty years old, and his son is a mute quadriplegic. For over twenty years, Dick has pushed and pulled his son over hundreds of finish lines.