Youth and Junior Recommended Distances
Which distances should youth multisport athletes complete? It depends on their age and athlete status.
USA Triathlon is committed to increasing youth access to multisport and offers a variety of programs and resources to help young athletes get involved in triathlon, develop their skills and achieve their goals. With programs and resources for all ability levels, we are here to support young athletes throughout their multisport journey.
A great way for children to begin their multisport journey is the Splash and Dash Youth Series, featured in 25+ events across the country annually. Splash and Dashes greatly reduce the barrier to entry to multisport as no bike is required.
The next step for many children is to find a local youth race, such as a triathlon or duathlon. USA Triathlon’s youth and junior season culminates annually with the Youth and Junior National Championships. This event is open to athletes aged 7-15 of all capabilities and also features Elite races that require qualification.
USA Triathlon supports youth races and clubs across the country that give youth athletes the opportunity to get involved in the sport of triathlon.
Splash and Dash races are a fun, fast-growing variant of aquathlons for youth athletes that combine swimming and running. Timing is not required during Splash and Dash races, putting the focus on participation rather than competition.
Date: Aug. 1-3, 2025
Location: West Chester, Ohio
Is your family new to multisport? Wondering what your child will need in order to participate in a race? We’ve listed the basics, from necessary gear to the various formats, on our Multisport page.
For athletes 17 and younger, this membership starts the day of purchase and lasts until the athlete's 18th birthday. USA Triathlon offers the Youth Digital Annual Membership and the Youth and Junior Premier Membership.
Find a multisport race near you!
USA Triathlon has zero tolerance for abuse and misconduct, both on the race course and off it. We work with the U.S. Center for SafeSport to provide training to help protect athletes that several members of the multisport community must complete, including coaches, officials, race directors and more.
USA Triathlon's Youth Guide covers various youth events and programs with articles providing information for both youth athletes and their parents. The guide includes basic information about multisport, tips for getting to the next level, and more.
Note: Additional precautions should be taken for participants under the age of 7 or those less experienced with swimming.
As a parent, you want sports to be a great experience for your child. These checklists make it easy to ensure that happens. Based on the Aspen Institute's report, they provide 10-point checklists tailored to your child's age and activity level. Ask these questions of your child, yourself, and local programs to build an athlete for life.
Which distances should youth multisport athletes complete? It depends on their age and athlete status.
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