Portugal changes its medium-distance format and adopts the T100 format from 2027
Portugal will adopt the T100 format of 2 km swimming, 80 km cycling and 18 km running in the middle distance events integrated into its federation calendar from 2027.
The Portuguese Triathlon Federation (FTP) has confirmed the change for next season, with competitions of 100 total kilometers and non-drafting cycling.
The decision involves replacing the traditional format associated with the middle distance in these tests, around 1,9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21,1 km of running , with the 2-80-18 used in the T100.
Portugal changes the format of its mid-distance race
The Portuguese federation frames the change within the evolution of international triathlon and points out that it seeks to align its national competitions with a format that is gaining traction outside its borders.
The T100 format totals exactly 100 kilometers : 2 of swimming, 80 of cycling and 18 of running.
The change is particularly interesting because it doesn't originate solely from a private organizer. It's a national federation that's incorporating the 2-80-18 as a reference point for its middle-distance races included in the federation's calendar.
Moura will debut in the T100 National Championship
The first event organized by the FTP under the new format will be the V Moura Triathlon , which will take place on April 25, 2027.
The event is already listed on the official calendar as the National Individual Triathlon Championship T100 and will also host the National Paratriathlon Championship T100.
The fact that Portugal uses T100 does not mean that it is part of the world circuit
The terminology can be somewhat confusing. The fact that the Portuguese federation uses the term T100 does not make these national competitions part of the T100 World Championship Tour.
The T100 World Championship Tour 2027 is part of the new Triathlon World Tour promoted by World Triathlon and the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), with its own international calendar and competitive structure.
In the Portuguese case, the reference T100 primarily identifies the competition distance adopted: 2-80-18.
The 100-kilometer format is gaining popularity
The change comes just as World Triathlon and the PTO are preparing a new international structure for 2027 based on the T50 and T100 designations . The current WTCs will be integrated into the T50 World Championship Tour, while the 100-kilometer race will continue as the benchmark for the T100.
The 2-80-18 format is also appearing in other competitions. In Spain, Challenge Salou 2027 has announced a T100 Distance race with these same distances.
Portugal's decision thus adds another element to the debate on the evolution of middle distance: whether the 100 kilometers will continue to spread as a recognizable format or coexist with the traditional 1,9-90-21 used in events such as IRONMAN 70.3.
For now, the Portuguese change already has a date to debut: April 25, 2027 in Moura , with the first National Individual Triathlon T100 Championship organized by the FTP.
This content has been created with the support of AI tools and reviewed by the Triathlon News editorial team.
