The Annual IIASA Triathlon

The Annual IIASA Triathlon is a semi-serious triathlon arranged each summer since 1997. In principle it is not serious at all, but in practice some participants (typically male) tend to become a bit competitive (it has even been observed that some people train for the event). However, most participants are only competing against themselves - everybody who finishes is a winner. It is also possible to make a team, and do a sort of relay-triathlon, or share the effort in some other way. Funny dresses are allowed, and some sort of clothing is considered obligatory because of the rules of the institute.

Traditionally, the IIASA Triathlon has been arranged with ca 10% distances of the "original" Hawaii Ironman Triathlon: 400m swimming, 21km biking and 4km running. The real distances remain somewhat uncertain. A typical participant uses 1h10min-1h30min to complete the race. Orientationally challenged people as well as those that do not attend the briefings before the event frequently get lost.

An extensive selection of pictures from earlier years, maintained by STAC, can be found here.

Some memories from the 2002 triathlon

... and the 2003 one

Practical information

The History (including old results)

Records

Trivia

Practical information

The route is illustrated in the map below (click to enlarge it). Swimming takes place in "Erholungszentrum" (Laxenburg), biking in the route Laxenburg-Biedermannsdorf-Schönbrunner Allee & back (two laps), and running in the Schlosspark (two laps).

In the end, only the total time counts (2 min is deducted from the total of female participants to compensate for longer changing time after swimming). However, for curiosity, we keep track of times during each part. Swimming time stops when one leaves the pool (thus biking time includes the time needed to reach the bike). Likewise, biking time stops when one enter the park. Again, if one changes shoes, that will be included in the running time.

Swimming: 6 laps (back and forth). The pool is 33 m in length. Usually there are two heats, first ladies and teams, then men.

Biking: See the map below. You start from the (front of) pool. Bike back to Laxenburg (red curve - do not follow the main road!), behind the monastery, so that you will pass by the Schlossplatz without entering it. Enter the bike path towards Biedermannsdorf. In Biedermannsdorf turn left and after ca 100 m right (beware the traffic!). Bike until you reach Schönbrunner Allee, which is a closed old road after a small uphill. Turn back, and follow the route back to Laxenburg where you make a loop round the Schlossplatz (orange curve; drinks provided at the turning point). Bike back to Schönbrunner Allee, then back to Laxenburg, straight to the park main entrance (yellow curve). Enjoy the drinks and run.

Running: Two laps following route marked with chalk (blue route on the map. Alas, in case of rain these may dissappear. If so, follow the obvious main route without making any sharp turns. If in doubt, select the left alternative. Finish line will be obvious.

Afterwards: There is a hose in the park wing inner yard, and of course the showers available at the institute are available.

Afterwards (2): The party and prize delivery ceremony

Important advice for the sporters

• Drink enough during the race (but not too much at time). An average person will loose liquid even during the swimming, so it is advisable to drink already while preparing for biking.
• Be careful with the traffic - there are two crossings on the bike route. There are no traffic lights, so please slow down sufficiently to ensure safety.

The History (including old results)

No evidence of IIASA triathlons prior to 1997 exists, and the emergence of the IIASA triathlon is believed to be a truly unique event.

The results of all IIASA Triathlons are presented below:
 

1st Annual IIASA Triathlon (13th August 1997)

2nd Annual IIASA Triathlon (5th August 1998)

3rd Annual IIASA Triathlon (28th July 1999)

4th Annual IIASA Triathlon (9th August 2000)

5th Annual IIASA Triathlon (25th July 2001)

6th Annual IIASA Triathlon (1st August 2002)

7th Annual IIASA Triathlon (29 July 2003)

8th Annual IIASA Triathlon (19 August 2004)

9th Annual IIASA Triathlon (18 August 2005)

Records

Trivia

• It never rains during the IIASA triathlon (but in 2002 it rained immediately before, eradicating the chalk marks that showed the running route, causing some people to get lost, and furthermore, wet roads caused some bike accidents)
• Real professionals shave before the race (it is not known with certainty that this has happened at IIASA)

This low-tech page is maintained my Mikko Heino (heino@iiasa.ac.at).