What is a duathlon?
A duathlon is a multi-sport endurance event, consisting of running and cycling. Typically a duathlon is held in a continuous run-bike-run format. Like triathlon, the time spent transitioning between the disciplines contributes to the overall race time and there are plenty of different race distances on offer. The majority of duathlons take place on tarmac roads/paved surfaces but you’ll also find off road events which involve mountain biking and trail running.
And a triathlon?
Triathlon, or tri, combines the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, one after the other and in that order. Events take over a wide variety of distances from the very short super-sprint up to iron distance and beyond, so there really is something for everyone. The swim is usually open water but may be pool based for shorter distances whilst the cycling and running usually take place on the roads, however there are off road races too.
Are there others?
In a word, yes! Nowadays at many of the bigger events you’ll also find aqua run (swim + run) and aqua bike (swim + bike) events on offer as 2-discipline alternatives to the more well known duathlon.