How are the split times determined in a triathlon?

Question

how are the split times determined for each discipline? are the times in t1 and t2 added to any discipline or the total times? thanks.

Answer 1

Baconator has it covered.  For the most part, I usually have my own watch as a back up.   Now and then the official timers mess up, and us veterans have to help them straighten it out.

Answer 2

It depends on how sophisticated the timing system is.

There is usually a timing sensor at the exit to the swim - or the entrance to the transition area.  Depending on how close the timing sensor is to the water, you may add running or walking time onto the swim split.  

There is also usually a timing sensor at the exit to the transition area onto the bike course - and at the entrance to the transition on the return from the bike course.  So, you get a T1 transition time - between entering the transition area and leaving the transition area - and a bike time between leaving on the bike ride and reentering the transition area.

Same goes for the run - timed when you leave the transition area - and timed at the finish.  The T2 times are generally provided.

I have been at a few events that didn't spend as much money on timing - and they did not break out transition times - but I believe that was only once or twice and at least 10 years ago.

So, generally - you will get your three event times - and your two split times - that add up to your total time.  Depending on how far the water is from the transition area - and exactly where the timing pad is - some running or walking time may end up in the swim - or in the transition time - it really depends on the geography of the course and the way they set up the timers.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Officially, if the organisers have complete timing coverage

Start Swim

End Swim/Start Transition 1 (T1)

End T1/Start Bike

End Bike/Start Transition 2 (T2)

End T2/Start Run

End Run

Add them all together for overall time.

Some events also give you a swim, bike, run poistion, so you can see how you did in each discpline compared to the rest of the field.

Some events, with more manual timing aparatus, add the Swim time and T! time together, and the T2 plus Run Time together

Transistions are like a race within a race and doing them quickly is a great in reducing your overall race time.