triathlon

tri·ath·lon

noun \trī-ˈath-lən, -ˌlän, ÷-ˈa-thə-\

sports : a long-distance race that has three parts (such as swimming, bicycling, and running)

Full Definition of TRIATHLON

:  an athletic contest that is a long-distance race consisting of three phases (as swimming, bicycling, and running)

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Origin of TRIATHLON

tri- + -athlon (as in decathlon)

First Known Use: 1973

Rhymes with TRIATHLON

biathlon, decathlon, heptathlon, pentathlon

triathlon

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Endurance contest involving swimming, cycling, and running. Triathlons originated in California in the 1970s and became an Olympic event in 2000. Olympic and world championship triathlons consist of a 1.5-km open water swim, a 40-km bicycle ride, and a 10-km run. The sport's most famous event, the Ironman triathlon, is held annually in Hawaii and consists of a 3.8-km (2.4-mi) swim, a 180-km (112-mi) bicycle ride, and a 42.2-km (26.2-mi) marathon run.