Contact your National Federation
Ask your Triathlon National Federation for qualification info and selection criteria.
The Sport · Programs
Age-Group
Triathlon is for everyone - no matter your age, background or experience level. Whether you’re chasing a personal goal, a finish line, or the dream of one day representing your country on the world stage, the Age-Group community is where your triathlon journey begins.
The distances
1.5km
Open-water swim
40km
Bike
10km
Run to the finish
Standard (Olympic) distance shown — sprint racing halves it: 750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run.
What is Age-Group racing?
Age-Group racing is World Triathlon's competition programme for amateur athletes. You race in categories against athletes of similar age and the same gender — sharing the start line with other World Triathletes who share your passion for competing.
Age-Group athletes represent their country at World Triathlon and Continental championship events, racing in national kit at the same championship festivals as the elites, with entry managed through each athlete's National Federation.
One Athlete, three Sports!
Why just compete in one sport, when you could compete in three all at once! Triathlon is an exciting multi-discipline sport: a continuous race that starts with swimming, transitions onto the bike and ends with running across the finish line. Age-Group triathletes who represent their country in World Triathlon races are called World Triathletes.
Race the worlds - at every distance
Age-Group World Championship racing goes far beyond the two triathlon distances. World titles are decided in Standard and Sprint triathlon, Aquabike and Age-Group Mixed Relay — and the multisport programme adds duathlon, aquathlon, cross triathlon, long distance and winter triathlon world championship racing.
Whatever your discipline and whatever your age, there is a world title to race for.
From first race to world championships
Each National Federation runs the qualification process for its athletes and selects the qualifying races (where applicable) for the different World Championships. Reach out to your National Federation for details about selection criteria, qualifying events and any necessary preparations — they will give you the best chance to represent your country on the world stage.
How to participate in a World Triathlon Championships?
Participating in a World Championships is an exhilarating and rewarding experience. To qualify, athletes must first meet the criteria set by their National Federation - contact them for selection criteria, qualifying events and the registration pathway, and take your chance to represent your country on the world stage.
Five steps to the start line
Follow the qualification pathway
Race the qualifying events your federation nominates and qualify.
Get your registration link
A World Championships registration page is provided by your federation.
Register and pay the entry fee
Upon federation confirmation you are added to the event start list.
Race and celebrate
Get ready, enjoy your race and celebrate your accomplishment!
The 2026 Age-Group season
Wear your country's colours
Racing Age-Group means pulling on your national federation's kit and standing on a world championship start line — the same venue, the same finish gantry and the same medals ceremony weekend as the world's best.
It is the beating heart of World Triathlon: thousands of athletes, from 18 to 85+, racing for their flag.
Become a Multisport Legend
Multisport Legend is the proud title earned by any athlete who races and completes five or more World Championship races at the Multisport World Championships — across Duathlon Sprint and Standard, Cross Duathlon, Cross Triathlon, Aquathlon, Long-Distance Triathlon and Aquabike.
The title was previously awarded for four completed events; since 2023 it is reserved for athletes completing five or more races. Train hard, keep racing and claim your place among the Multisport Legends.
Multisport Legends
Legends crowned at the 2025 Pontevedra Multisport World Championships:
| Athlete | Age group | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Mick Anglim | 75-79 Open AG | GBR |
| Joachim Rathbauer | 65-69 Open AG | AUT |
| Jeff Shmoorkoff | 60-64 Open AG | CAN |
| Pedro Jose Prada San Roman | 60-64 Open AG | ESP |
| Adrian Feasby | 60-64 Open AG | GBR |
| Jeff Dorrill | 60-64 Open AG | USA |
| Scott Croner | 60-64 Open AG | USA |
| Murat Kırdı | 55-59 Open AG | TUR |
| Juan Carlos Martinez Guiot | 50-54 Open AG | ESP |
| Cleber Castro | 50-54 Open AG | BRA |
| Darley Cardoso | 50-54 Open AG | BRA |
| Daniel Alexandre Gomes | 45-49 Open AG | BRA |
| Pablo Diaz Montero | 45-49 Open AG | ESP |
| Patrick Johnson | 40-44 Open AG | NZL |
| Deividi Souza Do Carmo | 40-44 Open AG | BRA |
| Eduardo Alberto Saavedra Lagares | 40-44 Open AG | ESP |
| Javier López García | 40-44 Open AG | ESP |
| Julia Heide Ribeiro | 40-44 Open AG | BRA |
| Kevin Fernandez Fernandez | 25-29 Open AG | ESP |
| Antonios Dimitrios Lafis | 16-19 Open AG | GRE |
Latest news
Upcoming events
Photo galleries
1 Mar, 2026•72 Photos
2026 World Triathlon Winter Age-Group Championships Padola
5 Nov, 2025•100 Photos
2025 World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships Pontevedra
5 Nov, 2025•100 Photos
2025 World Triathlon Duathlon - Standard Championships Pontevedra
5 Nov, 2025•100 Photos
2025 World Triathlon Aquathlon Championships Pontevedra
Photo galleries on SmugMug
Browse, download and buy World Triathlon race photos for commercial and private use on our official SmugMug site, shortly after every event.
Useful links
Important documents for Age-Group athletes
Frequently asked questions
Amateur athletes affiliated to a World Triathlon National Federation. You compete within your age and gender category.
Qualification criteria are set by your National Federation — contact them for selection criteria and qualifying events. Criteria differ between countries.
You cannot enter directly — each Age-Group athlete registers through their National Federation.
Sprint (750 m / 20 km / 5 km) and Standard (1.5 km / 40 km / 10 km) triathlon, plus multisport formats such as aquabike, aquathlon, duathlon, cross and long-distance racing. Common triathlon distances:
Swim Bike Run Relay (leg) 250 m 5 km 1.5 km Super Sprint 400 m 10 km 2.5 km Sprint 750 m 20 km 5 km Standard 1.5 km 40 km 10 km Middle 2.5 km 80 km 20 km Long 4 km 120 km 30 km See the World Triathlon events calendar — for example the 2026 World Triathlon Age-Group Championships in Pontevedra, Spain.
Your world championship is waiting
Talk to your National Federation and take your place on a world championship start line.