T100 Triathlon age-group triathlon events are shaking up the sport. Here’s why you should consider them for your tri racing calendar.
With T100 Triathlon, the PTO is redefining the world of pro triathlon, but it’s not just the pros who get to benefit. With the launch of T100 Triathlon, age-groupers have the chance to race alongside the sport’s biggest names and take on new challenges in locations around the world. Here are some of the highlights – and reasons they should be on your racing schedule.
Incredible Locations
The T100 Triathlon series gives you the opportunity to race in some iconic and inspiring locations. All T100 races are traffic-free on closed roads, so triathletes can experience each location from a new perspective.
For example, only in the Singapore T100 can you swim in Marina Bay and race over the Henry Sheares Bridge and downtown Singapore. Meanwhile the London T100 takes you into the shadow of Big Ben. Then there are the golden beaches and sunny warmth of Ibiza T100 – quite as adept a triathlon town as a party one – and the varied, hilly course surroundings of the stunning the Lake Las Vegas T100. Finally there’s the heat, beauty and spectacular scale of the Dubai T100.
All these races offer exclusive access to their locations, giving racers a totally unique experience.
Test Yourself Over 100km
Since the original PTO Tour events in 2022, the PTO has focused on its 100km distance and T100 Triathlon is no different. The 100km race is made up of a 2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run. But don’t be fooled into thinking that 100km total makes it easier than an Ironman 70.3, it’s a real racer’s distance in its own right.
The 2km swim evens the swim-bike-run ratio a little, giving strong swimmers more of a chance to earn a gap, while the fact that it’s only 100m more than a 70.3 means it’s still achievable for those looking to complete rather than compete.
The 80km bike course will involve ratcheting up the power compared to a regular middle-distance event, making the most of the closed-road courses push the pedals. Meanwhile T2 will be a welcome sight sooner for those athletes who feel a 90km ride drags too much.
If you’re looking to set a stellar performance, the 18km run means redlining it all the way to the finish. 3km shorter than a 70.3, the run is focused into a fast and furious effort. Meanwhile, for those planning to go longer in the future, it’s the ideal way to maintain speed when you up the distance.
Watch The Pros
Traditionally, it’s been rare to see the world’s best athletes duke it out on a regular basis. There’s been Kona and the Ironman 70.3 World Champs… that’s pretty much it. T100 Triathlon has completely shaken that up with 7 events in 2024 that pit the cream of triathlon talent against one another across the season.
That means that whichever T100 event you choose, you’ll have the chance to be inspired by some of the most competitive pro racing in the sport’s history. With 20 contracted athletes plus a selection of wildcards to shake things up, it’s a season-long narrative to follow up to the crowning of the T100 Triathlon World Champions at the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final.
Sure, all the T100 events are broadcast around the world, but being on the ground at a pro race this big is something totally different – a heart-pounding, goosebump-raising experience you’ll never forget as you cheer your heroes to historic victories. There’s nothing that gets you more motivated towards training or re-energised about your favourite sport.
Top-class Swag
Tired of drawstring bags or backpacks that barely make it home without falling apart? The T100 team have you covered with top-quality merch. In 2024, the race T-shirts are made by long-time PTO collaborator, Pressio, whose gear is not only incredibly high quality, but also sustainably made. T100 have opted for super soft casual T-shirts, rather than tech tees so you can proudly wear your race gear when not out training.
Meanwhile the race bag is nothing short of exceptional. Made by Deboer, another T100 partner, it’s a full-on transition bag with quality materials and construction befitting its regular $150 price tag.
Add in the insulated coffee mug and a Pressio T100 cap and you’ve got serious value that’ll stand the test of time, gear you’ll actually want to use and isn’t a killer for the environment. That’s something few triathlon events can boast.
Extra Events And Festival Vibes
T100 Triathlon wants to make each T100 event experience something you’ll remember for years to come – and that means more than just flying in, racing and flying out.
First-up, there are the various additional events outside the 100km T100 triathlon itself. These differ at each location from other triathlon distances, relay events and open water swims to duathlons, cyclosportives or the party vibes of the 5km ‘The Music Run’ events.
Add in the event village with stands from the various T100 partner brands, local tri suppliers and food outlets and those incredible destinations to explore and the T100 is setting up a multisport festival to get stuck into.
Keen Pricing
While high prices don’t seem to deter swathes of triathletes from entering Ironman-branded events, outside of Challenge Family, to date there hasn’t been huge competition for high-quality, closed-roads triathlon events.
That’s something that T100 Triathlon is looking to change and given the PTO is co-owned by the professional athletes themselves, they’re keeping prices as keen as possible to entice both experienced triathletes and first-timers to try something different.
Given the quality of the race experience and the value of the swag on offer, T100 Triathlon events offer a tempting option away from the big M-dot.
Investing In Triathlon
The T100 triathlon series is not only offering an alternative distance, but is also supporting the professional sport with by putting millions in the pockets of pros. If you have a love for the sport as a whole and want to see it thrive, entering a T100 event helps pro athletes make a living while also feeding healthy competition between organisers to create the best quality triathlon events. That can only be a good thing for triathletes seeking awesome race experiences.
