Why Sprint Triathlons Are Better Than 140.6-Distance Races

“Greg
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beer-podium

There's so much more to life than training for and racing a full-distance triathlon.

Low Entry Fees

There's no messing with $750 entry fees in a sprint tri. Short-distance sprint races , with $70 entry fees, are still a thing!

Relaxed Planning

You won't have to show up at a race site  on the other side of the world just to sign up for an event 365 days in advance.

More Opportunities

Sprint tris are less costly and easier to manage—fewer miles of water to guard and road to police. This means they are easier to host, which means there are many more of them.

Easy Travel

Since there are more sprint races, you don't have to travel around the world  to get to one. In some locales, you can even roll out of bed and into transition.

Family Friendly

Sprint races are family friendly and many even have kids races . You race, then your kids race. Fun for all!

Spectator Friendly

Sprint tris are great for your family and friends who've come along to watch. Transition zones  are small and approachable. Frequently, it's easy for spectators and friends to watch the entire race with little walking between various parts of the course.

Less Intimidating

Smaller races mean fewer competitors, which means less thrashing on the swim.

Nutrition and Hydration Concerns

Since sprint races are so much shorter than full-distance ones, staying hydrated  and fueled is not as much of a concern.

Go Hard, Go Home

Pacing a sprint tri is really simple: go hard.

Again and Again

Sprint races take much less of a toll on the body. You might even be able to race consecutive weekends.

Efficient and Fun

With short distances and small fields, you could be done racing with your feet up and your favorite beverage  in hand before noon.

No Fancy Gear Required

Expensive bike upgrades and other high-end gear have less impact on the overall race outcome, compared with 140.6 distance races.

Time-Crunched? No Problem!

If you have just enough time to train , a sprint distance is perfect. You won't have to put in back-to-back long training days on the weekends to get ready for one or two races a years.

Try a Tri

If you're new to tri, a sprint distance tri is the best distance to experiment with to help you decide just how much you love the sport.

Accommodating

If you can swim and bike and run—but don't want to risk "over-doing it" and getting injured—a sprint is your distance.

READ THIS NEXT: Which Triathlon Distance Is Right for You?