The World Triathlon Long Distance Championships is a triathlon race held annually since 1994. The championships involve a continuous swim-cycle-run, over distances varying between that of an Olympic-distance and an Iron-distance triathlon race. The championships are organised by World Triathlon.
History
The Ironman Triathlon Championship event in Kona, Hawaii had created a strong movement for ultra endurance triathlon in the United States, but Europe had lagged behind in hosting. The International Management Group (IMG) decided to create a European corollary to the Ironman, and selected Monaco for the first event in 1982, but the death of Princess Grace of Monaco forced a move to Nice, where a somewhat truncated version of the Ironman distance was held. The Triathlon International de Nice, (which became Ironman France in 2005) became swiftly recognised as the major ultra endurance triathlon in Europe.
With Nice established as the then 'triathlon capital' of Europe, the newly founded International Triathlon Union, later World Triathlon chose Nice to host its inaugural World Championship in Long Distance Triathlon (and indeed three of the first four editions). The event has been held annually ever since (save for the covid pandemic).
Following the return of racing after the covid pandemic in 2021, World Triathlon combined the event with other non-Olympic multi-sport events in the World Triathlon Multisports Championships, but the races themselves retained their title as World Triathlon Long Distance Championships.
Venues YearDateLocationRace distances (kilometres)SwimCycleRun199426 June Nice41203219951 October Nice41203219967 September Muncie1.99021.619978 June Nice41203019985 September Sado Island313628199911 July Säter412030200018 June Nice41203020015 August Fredericia3.818042200222 September Nice412030200311 May Ibiza41203020043 July Säter41203020057 August Fredericia412030200619 November Canberra412030200715 July Lorient38020200831 August Almere412030200925 October Perth38020201031 July Immenstadt41303020115 November Henderson012030201229 July Vitoria-Gasteiz41203020131 June Belfort8720201421 September Weihai412020201527 June Motala1.512030201624 September Oklahoma City412030201727 August Penticton312030201814 July Fyn31203020194 May Pontevedra1.5110302020 cancelled due to covid202112 September Almere3.8180.242202221 August Šamorín279.817.920237 May Ibiza311630202425 August Townsville311430202529 June Pontevedra312030202622 November Abu Dhabi312030
Medallists
Men's 1994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920212022202320242025
Women's 1994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920212022202320242025
Notes
References