A young athlete runs down the finishing chute.
Training TipsYouth and JuniorBeginnerIntermediateAdvanced

Recommended Competition Distances for Youth and Junior Athletes

by USA Triathlon

The below table lists USA Triathlon's recommended distances for youth and junior athletes.

Racing AgeCategorySwim DistanceBike DistanceRun Distance
7-8Youth50m to 100m
*pool swim recommended
2k1k
10Youth100m
*pool swim recommended
3k1k
11-12Youth200m
*pool swim recommended
5k to 7k2k
13-15Youth200m to 400m8k to 10k2k to 3k
16-19Junior400m to 750m15k to 20k5k
Elite Distances
13-15Youth Elite400m10k2.5k
16-19Junior Elite750m20k5k

Notes:

  • Racing age is as of December 31 of the year in which the event takes place.
  • Youth Elite and Junior Elite races are draft-legal, typically staged on multi-lap closed courses, and officiated using World Triathlon rules
  • The recommended minimum for Olympic/Intermediate Distance events is 16. The recommended minimum age for Long Course/Half-IRONMAN/Ultra Distance events is 18.
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