This week the XX Commonwealth Games gets underway in Glasgow, Scotland. Tomorrow, the Opening Ceremony will take place, followed by 11 days of sports. And one of the first highlight events will be the triathlon. The individual male and female triathlon competitions take place at Strathclyde Park near Motherwell on Thursday (July 24). The triathlon relays take place on Saturday (July 26).

What is triathlon?

Combining three disciplines – swimming, cycling and running – triathlon tests the overall fitness, skill and endurance of athletes. The Commonwealth Games we will see some of the world’s most talented athletes competing against each other in male and female categories. The triathlon at Glasgow 2014 is a standard-distance – or Olympic distance – event. It starts with a 1500m open water swim before switching to a 40km road cycle and finishing with a 10km run.

Triathlon inspired holidays

Triathlon can be enjoyed at all levels, from novice through to pro. Clubs and events across the UK are the prefect place to start. But how about taking the triathlon triple activity theme and combining it in a walking or cycling holiday? Swim, bike, walk: You could, for example, enjoy open water swimming in Lake Geneva as well as cycling and walking in the Alps. See Cycling the Alpine Lakes, Geneva to Annecy. Swimming, cycling and walking are also easy to do in Austria in and close to Salzburg Lake. Three countries in one: The triple theme could be satisfied with a bike ride through three different countries. Exploring the Lake Constance Cycle Path takes riders through Austria, Germany and Switzerland as you cycle around one of the world’s most beautiful lakes. Two lakes and a walk: A swim in Lake Como and another in Lake Lugano, followed by a series of fabulous walks in Northern Italy offers a triple activity style trip. See Lake Como and Lugano. Boat, bike and boat: More of a duathlon styled trip, the River Danube Bike and Boat trip is a great way to see several countries in the heart of Europe, including Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary. Nights and recovery days are spent on a boat, while active days are spent riding the traffic-free Rivr Danube cycle path. Tri this: From the foot of Lake Windermere in the English Lake District to Coniston Water, there is a fantastic Lake District Round Walk over eight days. If you have a wetsuit, why not take a dip into Lake Windermere or time your trip to coincide with Tri Windermere each July. Drive, hike and swim: Iceland is the perfect destination for a triple activity trip. Drive to fabulous locations in the Land of Fire and Ice, hike to glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls and volcanoes and then take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon. This is our kind of perfect holiday triathlon! See Iceland Drive and Hike.