An aquathlon is an event in which individuals participate in two activities: swimming and running. The distances can vary, but one of the most popular is 1 km of swimming, then 5 km of running. It challenges your swimming as well as your running in combination.
Aquathlons typically start with 1–2 km of open-water swimming, an immediate change of gear, and 5–10 km of trail or road running. With no biking involved, athletes prioritize their work in the swim as well as transitioning into the run. Currents, waves, and the determination of direction can complicate the swim, whereas the run must have a strong pace when shoulders and core muscles are fatigued. Practice involves swim-runs that mirror the event, with an emphasis on quick swimming, long running, and core strengthening as an aid in transitions. Nutrition planning as well as hydration is easier than for triathlons but no less necessary: athletes can have a light snack prior to the swim as well as consume easy-to-digest gels while they are running. Aquathlons are an introduction to triathlons, bring diversity for swimmers as well as runners, or challenge athletes for speed in transitioning activities, mindset change, as well as maintaining quality of fitness.
