HOW TO TRI ON A BUDGET

Triathlon has never been known as a 'cheap' sport, but in a post-pandemic era, with living costs hitting astronomical new highs, how is it possible to continue racing your beloved hobby without overly compromising either your bank balance or your experience? We investigate...

- Tim Heming

Anyone who has ever packed a transition bag understands why triathlon is not - and never will be -the cheapest of sports. The typical triathlete has way more gear than they need, but even stripping it back to essentials there's still a lengthy checklist to tick off. Then there's race entry to consider, and by the time travel, A food, accommodation and some nervous, late kit purchases are included, the cost starts to add up. However, there is choice.

While £1,200 for a wetsuit, £10,000 for a bike and another five-figure sum entering enough Ironmans to qualify for a legacy place in Hawaii might be out of reach, you can compete in second-hand neoprene and on a bike one-10th of the price and still be competitive. And while a Pacific-island adventure has obvious allure, there are great races available on home soil, too.

THE TRI LANDSCAPE

There's no denying costs are on the rise. Brexit, a pandemic and global conflict have all contributed to inflationary pressures, and triathlon is not immune. Gary Roethenbaugh from the Triathlon Industry Association (TIA) and founder of Multisport Research says the appetite to spend is still there but the sport needs new blood.

"We've had two years of no new starters due to the pandemic," Roethenbaugh says. "It puts triathlon at a disadvantage because unlike running it's inextricably linked to the event landscape.” Roethenbaugh believes 2022 will prove to be a "transitionary year", with those reluctant to sign up for organised events continuing with informal activities such as Everesting or Strava challenges. "But because the majority come to tri from a run background, and because the pandemic sparked a boom in running, 2023-24 should see triathlon as a beneficiary," he adds.