IS IT TIME FOR AGE-GROUP RACING TO CHANGE?

Breaking down barriers to make triathlon more inclusive is welcomed, but isn't always a natural bedfellow for competition. Splitting the two may offer the solution, argues Tim Heming.

- Tim Heming

A pre-race email for the London T100 race got me thinking: is it time to mark a clear difference between people signing up for an enjoyable challenge and competitive amateur triathletes?

The trigger was T100's note that should the temperature exceed 24.9 degrees Celsius (scarcely fathomable that we should even be contemplating this – welcome to 2025!), then wetsuits would be replaced with tow floats for the swim. Tow floats are small inflatables tethered to the swimmer's waist by a short cord.

London is one of the biggest first-timer triathlons in the world, and mitigating the risk of putting thousands of novices in the Thames without the security of buoyant neoprene makes sense from a health and safety perspective – but not from a competitive one.

While the sport might pride itself on fair play, it's naïve to believe nefarious tactics aren't deployed in the swim, where it's hard to spot. Now there's a tow float cord to grab – as well as a leg, or pair of goggles. Even if unintentional, drafting on a triathlete's hip to save energy could result in a tangle.