Standard race distances
Name
Kids of Steel
Swim
Bicycle
Run
100750 m 515 km 15 km
Novice (Australia) 300 m
8 km
2 km
393 (New
Zealand)
300 m
9 km
3 km
400 m
(0.25 mi)
400 m
(0.25 mi)
750 m
(0.47 mi)
1.5 km
(0.93 mi)
3.0 km
(1.86 mi)
1.93 km
(1.2 mi)
4.0 km
(2.49 mi)
10 km
(6.2 mi)
20 km
(12.4 mi)
20 km
(12.4 mi)
40 km
(24.8 mi)
80 km
(49.6 mi)
90 km
(56 mi)
120 km
(74.6 mi)
Super Sprint
Novice (Europe)
Sprint
Olympic
ITU-Long
Distance (O2)
Half
ITU-Long
Distance (O3)
3.86 km
(2.4 mi)
Full
2.5 km
(1.5 mi)
5 km
(3.1 mi)
5 km
(3.1 mi)
10 km
(6.2 mi)
20 km
(12.4 mi)
21.09 km
(13.1 mi)
30 km
(18.6 mi)
42.2 km
180 km
(26.2 mi)
(112 mi)
marathon
Notes
Distances vary with age of athlete. See: Ironkids
Distances vary, but this is a standard Novice distance course in Australia (often
called enticer triathlons).
Distances vary, but this is a standard Novice distance course in New Zealand.
Distances vary, but this is a standard Super Sprint course.
Distances vary somewhat, but this is a standard novice/fitness distance course in
Europe.
For pool-based races a 400 or 500 m swim is common.
Also known as "international distance", "standard course", or "short course"
Double Olympic Distance[20] distance of the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World
Championships 2007 and 2009.
Also known as "middle distance", "70.3" (total miles traveled), or "half-ironman".
So-called triple Olympic Distance,[20] distance of the ITU Long Distance Triathlon
World Championships most years including 2011.
Also known as "long distance" or "Ironman Triathlon". [21]
Ultra Distances
Distances
Swimming
Ironman
3.86 km (2.40 mi)
Double Ultratriathlon
7.6 km (4.7 mi)
Triple Ultratriathlon
11.4 km (7.1 mi)
Quadruple Ultratriathlon 15.2 km (9.4 mi)
Quintuple Ultratriathlon 19 km (12 mi)
Deca Ultratriathlon
38 km (24 mi)
10-Days-Triathlon
every day 7.5 km
or every day 3.86 km
Fifteenfold Triathlon
57 km (36 mi)
Double Deca Triathlon
76 km (48 mi)
Cycling
180 km (110 mi)
360 km (220 mi)
540 km (340 mi)
720 km (450 mi)
900 km (560 mi)
1,800 km (1,100 mi)
every day 200 km
every day 180 km
2,700 km
(1,660 mi)
3,600 km
(2,200 mi)
Running
42.2 km (26.2 mi)
84.4 km (52.4 mi)
126.6 km (78.7 mi)
168.8 km (104.9 mi)
211 km (131 mi)
422 km (262 mi)
every day 50 km
every day 42.2 km
633 km (393 mi)
844 km (524 mi)
Double Triathlon
Time
Athlete
Race / Year
25:38:00 Ken Wiseman (USA)
Huntsville (USA), 1985
22:28:00 Ken Wiseman (USA)
Huntsville (USA), 1986
22:06:03 Wim-Bart Knol (HOL) Lelystad (HOL), 1989 (June)
21:44:00 Ken Wiseman (USA)
Huntsville (USA), 1989 (Sept.)
21:07:19 Martin Feijen (HOL)
Lelystad (HOL), 1992 (June)
20:24:38 Wito de Meulder (BEL) Colmar (FRA), 1992 (July)
20:11:54 Mario Huys (BEL)
Middelkerke (BEL), 1992 (Sept.)
19:54:46 Mario Huys (BEL)
Leuven (BEL), 1993
19:36:00 John Quinn (USA)
Huntsville (USA), 1994
18:55:36 Luis Wildpanner (AUT) Neulengbach (AUT), 2002
Triple Triathlon
Time
Athlete
Race / Year
39:38:40 Ken Wiseman (USA)
Le Fontanil (FRA), 1988
37:38:40 Wolfgang Erhard (AUT)
Le Fontanil (FRA), 1990
35:30:29 Wolfgang Erhard (AUT)
Le Fontanil (FRA), 1992
33:28:16 Wolfgang Erhard (AUT)
Le Fontanil (FRA), 1994
32:55:50 Gerhard Weber (AUT)
Neulengbach (AUT), 1996
31:47:57 Luis Wildpanner (AUT)
Lensahn (GER), 2003
Quadruple Triathlon
Time
Athlete
Race / Year
58:10:54 Martin Feijen (HOL)
Den Haag (HOL), 1989
57:45:50 Guyla Rapolti (HUN)
Szkesfehrvr (HUN), 1991
53:41:00 Sren Hjbjerre (DEN)
Szkesfehrvr (HUN), 1993
Quintuple Triathlon
Time
Athlete
Race / Year
77:11:00 Martin Feijen (HOL)
Den Haag (HOL), 1991
76:16:39 Martin Feijen (HOL)
Den Haag (HOL), 1994
73:18:16 Emmanuel Conraux (FRA)
Monterrey (MEX), 2005
Deca Triathlon
Time
Athlete
Race / Year
213:41:00
Martin Feijen (HOL)
Monterrey (MEX), 1992
207:33:00
Jaroslav Pavelka (CZR)
Monterrey (MEX), 1994
192:08:26
Fabrice Lucas (FRA)
Monterrey (MEX), 1997
10-Days 5 x Olympic Distance pr. day -Triathlon
Time
Athlete
Race / Year
174 h 50 m 34 s
Marcel Heinig
Monterrey, 2009
Fifteenfold Triathlon
Time
Athlete
Race / Year
312:22:45
Jaroslav Pavelka (CZR)
Monterrey (MEX), 1995
Double Deca Triathlon
Time
Athlete
437:21:40 Vidmantas Urbonas (LIT)
Race / Year
Monterrey (MEX), 1998
Table key:
Listed by the International Association of Athletics Federations as a world best prior to official acceptance [41]
Ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations as a world best (since January 1, 2003) or world record (since January 1, 2004) [41]
Recognized by the Association of Road Racing Statisticians [10]
Time
Name
Nationality
Date
Event/Place
Source
Notes
Time was officially recorded as 2:55:18 2/5.
[42]
Italian Dorando Pietri finished in 2:54:46.4, but
was disqualified for receiving assistance from race
officials near the finish.[43] Note.[44]
2:55:18.4 Johnny Hayes
United
States
July 24, 1908
London, United Kingdom
IAAF
2:52:45.4 Robert Fowler
United
States
January 1,
1909
Yonkers,[nb 5] United States
IAAF[41]
Note.[44]
2:46:52.8 James Clark
United
States
February 12,
1909
New York City, United States IAAF[41]
Note.[44]
2:46:04.6 Albert Raines
United
States
May 8, 1909
New York City, United States IAAF[41]
Note.[44]
2:42:31.0 Henry Barrett
United
Kingdom
2:40:34.2
Thure
Johansson
2:38:16.2 Harry Green
2:36:06.6 Alexis Ahlgren
2:38:00.8 Umberto Blasi
Hannes
2:32:35.8
Kolehmainen
2:29:01.8
Albert
Michelsen
2:30:57.6 Harry Payne
2:26:14 Son Kitei
Polytechnic
May 26, 1909[nb Marathon, London,United
[41]
IAAF[41]
Note.[44]
IAAF[41]
Note.[44]
May 12, 1913 Polytechnic Marathon
IAAF[41]
Note.[49]
Sweden
May 31, 1913 Polytechnic Marathon
IAAF[41]
Report in The Times claiming world record.[50] Note.[49]
Italy
November 29,
Legnano, Italy
1914
ARRS[10]
Finland
August 22,
1920
Antwerp, Belgium
IAAF, ARRS
United
States
October 12,
1925
Port Chester, United States
IAAF[41]
United
Kingdom
July 5, 1929
London
ARRS[10]
March 21,
1935
Tokyo, Japan
ARRS[10]
Sweden
United
Kingdom
Japan[53]
6]
August 31,
1909
Kingdom
Stockholm, Sweden
[41]
[10]
The course distance was officially reported to be
42,750 meters/26.56 miles,[51] however, the
Association of Road Racing Statisticians estimated
the course to be 40 km.[19]
Note.[52]
Japan
March 31,
1935
Tokyo, Japan
IAAF[41]
According to the Association of Road Racing
Statisticians, Suzuki's 2:27:49 performance occurred
in Tokyo on March 21, 1935, during a race in which
he finished second to Sohn Kee-chung(sometimes
referred to as Kee-Jung Sohn or Son Kitei) who ran a
2:26:14.[54]
2:26:44.0 Yasuo Ikenaka
Japan
April 3, 1935
Tokyo, Japan
IAAF[41]
Note.[55]
2:26:42
Son Kitei
Japan[53]
November 3,
1935
Tokyo, Japan
IAAF[41]
Note.[55]
2:25:39
Suh Yun-bok
Korea
April 19, 1947 Boston Marathon
IAAF[41]
Disputed (short course).[56] Disputed (point-to-point).
2:27:49.0
Fusashige
Suzuki
[57]
Note.[58]
2:20:42.2 Jim Peters
United
Kingdom
June 14, 1952 Polytechnic Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
MarathonGuide.com states the course was slightly
long.[59] Report in The Times claiming world record.[60]
2:18:40.4 Jim Peters
United
Kingdom
June 13, 1953 Polytechnic Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
Report in The Times claiming world record.[60]
2:18:34.8 Jim Peters
United
Kingdom
October 4,
1953
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:17:39.4 Jim Peters
United
Kingdom
June 26, 1954 Polytechnic Marathon
IAAF[41]
August 12,
1956
Pieksmki, Finland
ARRS[10]
August 24,
1958
Stockholm, Sweden
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:18:04.8 Paavo Kotila
2:15:17.0 Sergei Popov
Finland
Soviet
Union
Turku Marathon
2:15:16.2 Abebe Bikila
Ethiopia
September 10,
Rome, Italy
1960
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:15:15.8 Toru Terasawa
Japan
February 17,
1963
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:14:28
United
Leonard Edelen
States
Beppu-ita Marathon
June 15, 1963 Polytechnic Marathon
IAAF
United
Kingdom
July 6, 1963
ARRS[10]
United
Kingdom
June 13, 1964 Polytechnic Marathon
IAAF[41]
Ethiopia
October 21,
1964
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
Japan
June 12, 1965 Polytechnic Marathon
IAAF[41]
2:09:36.4 Derek Clayton
Australia
December 3,
1967
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:08:33.6 Derek Clayton
Australia
May 30, 1969 Antwerp, Belgium
IAAF[41]
United
Kingdom
July 23, 1970
Edinburgh, Scotland
ARRS[10]
United
Kingdom
January 31,
1974
Christchurch, New Zealand
ARRS[10]
February 5,
1978
Beppu-ita Marathon
ARRS[10]
Netherland April 26, 1980 Amsterdam Marathon
ARRS[10]
2:14:43 Brian Kilby
2:13:55
Basil Heatley
2:12:12.2 Abebe Bikila
2:12:00
Morio
Shigematsu
2:09:28.8 Ron Hill
2:09:12 Ian Thompson
2:09:05.6 Shigeru So
2:09:01 Gerard Nijboer
Japan
Port Talbot, Wales
Tokyo, Japan
Fukuoka Marathon
[41]
Point-to-point course.[citation needed] Report in The
Times claiming world record.[61]
The ARRS notes Popov's extended time as
2:15:17.6[10]
Point-to-point course.[citation needed] Report in The
Times claiming world record and stating that the
course may have been long.[62]
Point-to-point course.[citation needed] Report in The
Times claiming world record.[63]
Point-to-point course.[citation needed] Report in The
Times claiming world record.[64]
Disputed (short course).[65]
2:08:18
Robert De
Castella
2:08:05
Steve Jones
2:07:12
Carlos Lopes
Portugal
April 20, 1985 Rotterdam Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:06:50
Belayneh
Dinsamo
Ethiopia
April 17, 1988 Rotterdam Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:06:05
Ronaldo da
Costa
Brazil
September 20,
Berlin Marathon
1998
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:05:42
Khalid
Khannouchi
Morocco
October 24,
1999
Chicago Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:05:38
Khalid
Khannouchi
April 14, 2002 London Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
First "World's Best" recognized by the International
Association of Athletics Federations.[66] The ARRS
notes Khannouchi's extended time as 2:05:37.8[10]
2:04:55
Paul Tergat
Kenya
September 28,
Berlin Marathon
2003
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
First world record for the men's marathon ratified by
the International Association of Athletics
Federations.[67]
2:04:26
Haile
Gebrselassie
Ethiopia
September 30,
Berlin Marathon
2007
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:03:59
Haile
Gebrselassie
Ethiopia
September 28,
Berlin Marathon
2008
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:03:38
Patrick Makau
Kenya
September 25,
Berlin Marathon
2011
IAAF,[68] IAAF[69]
2:03:23
Wilson Kipsang
Kenya
September 29,
Berlin Marathon
2013
IAAF[70] IAAF[71]
September
IAAF[72] IAAF[73]
2:02:57
Dennis
Kimetto
Australia
United
Kingdom
United
States
Kenya
December 6,
1981
Fukuoka Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
October 21,
1984
Chicago Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
28, 2014
Berlin Marathon
The ARRS notes Gebrselassie's extended time as
2:03:58.2[10]
Table key:
Listed by the International Association of Athletics Federations as a world best prior to official acceptance [41]
Ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations as a world best (since January 1, 2003) or world record (since January 1, 2004) [41]
Recognized by the Association of Road Racing Statisticians [10]
Time
Name
Nationality
Marie-Louise
Ledru
France
3:40:22
Violet Piercy
3:37:07
Merry Lepper
3:27:45
Dale Greig
5:40:xx
Date
Event/Place
Source
Notes
September 29, Tour de Paris
1918
Marathon
ARRS[10]
United
Kingdom
October 3,
1926
IAAF[41]
The ARRS indicates that Piercy's 3:40:22 was
set on August 2, 1926, during a time trial on a
course that was only 35.4 km.[10]
United
States
December 16, Culver City, United
1963[nb 8]
States
IAAF[41]
Disputed (short course).[77]
May 23, 1964 Ryde
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
United
London [nb 7]
Kingdom
3:19:33
Mildred
Sampson
New
Zealand
July 21, 1964[nb Auckland, New
9]
Zealand
IAAF[41]
Disputed by ARRS as a time trial.[nb 9][80]
3:15:23
Maureen
Wilton
May 6, 1967
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
The ARRS notes Wilton's extended time as
3:14:22.8[10]
3:07:27.2
Anni PedeErdkamp
West
Germany
September 16, Waldniel, West
1967
Germany
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
The ARRS notes Pede-Erdkamp's extended
time as 3:07:26.2[10]
3:02:53
Caroline
Walker
United
States
February 28,
1970
Seaside, OR
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
3:01:42
Elizabeth
Bonner
United
States
May 9, 1971
Philadelphia, United
States
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:55:22
Elizabeth
Bonner
United
States
September 19, New York City
1971
Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:49:40
Cheryl Bridges
United
States
December 5,
1971
Culver City, United
States
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:46:36
Michiko
Gorman
United
States
December 2,
1973
Culver City, United
States
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:46:24
Chantal
Langlac
October 27,
1974
Neuf-Brisach, France
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:43:54.5
Jacqueline
Hansen
United
States
December 1,
1974
Culver City, United
States
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
The ARRS notes Hansen's extended time as
2:43:54.6[10]
2:42:24
Liane Winter
West
Germany
April 21, 1975 Boston Marathon
IAAF[41]
Disputed (point-to-point).[57]
2:40:15.8
Christa
Vahlensieck
West
Germany
May 3, 1975
Dlmen
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:38:19
Jacqueline
Hansen
United
States
October 12,
1975
Eugene, United States IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:35:15.4
Chantal
Langlac
France
May 1, 1977
Oiartzun, Spain
2:34:47.5
Christa
Vahlensieck
2:32:29.8
Grete Waitz
2:27:32.6
Grete Waitz
Canada
France
Toronto, Canada
The ARRS notes Gorman's extended time as
2:46:37[10]
IAAF[41]
September 10,
Berlin Marathon
1977
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
Norway
October 22,
1978
New York City
Marathon
IAAF[41]
Disputed (short course).[38][83]
Norway
October 21,
1979
New York City
Marathon
IAAF[41]
Disputed (short course).[38][84]
Auckland, New
Zealand
ARRS[10]
West
Germany
2:31:23 Joan Benoit
United
States
February 3,
1980
2:30:57.1 Patti Catalano
United
States
September 6,
Montreal, Canada
1980
ARRS[10]
2:25:41.3
Grete Waitz
Norway
October 26,
1980
New York City
Marathon
IAAF[41]
Disputed (short course).[38][85]
2:30:27 Joyce Smith
United
Kingdom
November 16,
Tokyo, Japan
1980
ARRS[10]
2:29:57 Joyce Smith
United
Kingdom
March 29,
1981
London Marathon
ARRS[10]
West
Germany
January 16,
1982
Miami, United States
ARRS[10]
United
States
September 12,
Eugene, United States ARRS[10]
1982
2:29:01.6 Charlotte Teske
2:26:12 Joan Benoit
2:25:28.7
Grete Waitz
2:22:43
Joan Benoit
Norway
United
States
April 17, 1983 London Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
April 18, 1983 Boston Marathon
IAAF[41]
Disputed (point-to-point).[57]
Ingrid
Kristiansen
Norway
May 13, 1984 London Marathon
ARRS[10]
2:21:06
Ingrid
Kristiansen
Norway
April 21, 1985 London Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:20:47
Tegla Loroupe
Kenya
April 19, 1998 Rotterdam Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:20:43
Tegla Loroupe
Kenya
September 26,
Berlin Marathon
1999
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:19:46
Naoko
Takahashi
Japan
September 30,
Berlin Marathon
2001
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:18:47
Catherine
Ndereba
Kenya
October 7,
2001
Chicago Marathon
IAAF,[41] ARRS[10]
2:17:18
United
Paula Radcliffe
Kingdom
October 13,
2002
Chicago Marathon
IAAF,
2:15:25
United
Paula Radcliffe
Kingdom
April 13, 2003 London Marathon
IAAF,
2:24:26
[41]
[41]
ARRS
[10]
First "World's Best" recognized by
the International Association of Athletics
Federations.[66]The ARRS notes Radcliffe's
extended time as 2:17:17.7[10]
ARRS
[10]
First world record for the women's marathon
ratified by the International Association of
Athletics Federations.[86] The ARRS notes
Radcliffe's extended time as 2:15:24.6[10]
