Formula One Triathlon

Formula One Triathlon or F-1 is a triathlon race that consists of a swim-bike-run combination in multiple groups. For example, a swim to bike to run followed by another swim to bike to run combination done in one event or as a group of events. Another variation example would be a swim-exit-swim followed by a bike to run and another bike to run (looped courses).

The Formula One format is most popular in Australia although sporadic events are held in other countries including the United States. Although distances vary, a typical race would encompass a 300-400 meter swim, a 7-10k bike, and a 3-4k run, then repeated.

Many of the Australian races allow bike drafting for age group triathlete entries (note: bike drafting is typically reserved to only pro/elite level triathletes). The F-1 frequent transitions between swim, bike and run does not make it a practical format for large groups of bikers to draft as frequently seen in other bike draft legal versions of triathlons where bike drafting is typically limited to pro level triathletes. The F-1 format was created to maintain a reasonably safe format for the development of drafting skills for age groupers. This is especially true for those at the junior level wanting to compete at the draft legal Olympic level in the future.