The first triathlon race (swimming, cycling and running) was called an ‘ironman’ and took place in Hawaii in the 70s. It remains, for many, the most challenging of all international triathlon competitions. The sport made its first Olympic appearance in 2000 at the Sydney games. For the Olympics, the ironman distances (a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42km run) were reduced to a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run. If you’re a beginner and this all sounds far too ambitious, don’t be put off; the ‘sprint’ is popular with newcomers and consists in a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. In Barcelona, the sport is growing rapidly; every year there is a 30% increase in the number of participants in the Barcelona City Triathlon (Triatlo Ciutat de Barcelona). To get involved, consult www.tri-trials.com.