A triathlon is a multi-sport endurance event consisting of swimming, cycling and running. Triathlons vary in distance. The main international race distances are Sprint distance (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run), intermediate also known as Olympic distance (1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, 10 km run), the Long Course also known as the Half Ironman (1.9 km swim, 90 km ride, 21.1 km run), and Ultra Distance also known as the Ironman (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and a marathon 42.2 km run).
Another type of triathlon is the XTERRA triathlon. Unlike a traditional triathlon, which is done on the road, XTERRA triathlons are done off road (mountain biking and trail running instead of road biking and running). The XTERRA is the best known series of off-road triathlons, and is considered to be the de-facto championship of the sport. There are two primary divisions in XTERRA races, professional and age-groupers. The professionals compete for cash prizes and sponsorships and the age-group division is for the rest of us, ordinary people who want to still compete. Both divisions accumulate points during each race. They also offer a sport version which is half the distance of the of the full XTERRA race. Because they are off-road races the distances can vary depending on the terrain.
The Beaver Creek Mountain Championship is an XTERRA triathlon located near Vail, CO. The full course is a 1 mile open water swim, 15.5 mile mountain bike with 3,600 feet of elevation gain and 5.75 mile trail run with 1,300 feet of elevation gain. On July 17, 2010 I finished the Beaver Creek Mountain Championship XTERRA triathlon. There are three things that I have done in my life thus far that stick out as very physically challenging and this was one of them. I didn’t do as well as I wanted, but it was a great experience. It was a beautiful day and it’s always great to be in the mountains. The race started at the lake in Avon, CO, then climbed high above the town through the Beaver Creek ski slopes and ended with a beautiful run through the aspen groves. I like challenging myself and this was defiantly a challenge but if I do another triathlon I think I will do an Olympic distance at sea level.
A triathlon is a multi-sport endurance event consisting of swimming, cycling and running. Triathlons vary in distance. The main international race distances are Sprint distance (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run), intermediate also known as Olympic distance (1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, 10 km run), the Long Course also known as the Half Ironman (1.9 km swim, 90 km ride, 21.1 km run), and Ultra Distance also known as the Ironman (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and a marathon 42.2 km run). 
Another type of triathlon is the XTERRA triathlon. Unlike a traditional triathlon, which is done on the road, XTERRA triathlons are done off road (mountain biking and trail running instead of road biking and running). The XTERRA is the best known series of off-road triathlons, and is considered to be the de-facto championship of the sport. There are two primary divisions in XTERRA races, professional and age-groupers. The professionals compete for cash prizes and sponsorships and the age-group division is for the rest of us, ordinary people who want to still compete. Both divisions accumulate points during each race. They also offer a sport version which is half the distance of the of the full XTERRA race. Because they are off-road races the distances can vary depending on the terrain. 
