The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo ourselves

Multisport races can be completed with a minimum amount of kit, they also have the potential to be very expensive.  There is a world of possibilities out there, training and racing provides the gadget buff with all the excuses they'll ever need to research and purchase vast amounts of stuff but fear not, it is entirely possible to race without most of it and for your first foray into multisports, less is definitely more. 

I entered my first ever triathlon without a wetsuit (not a good idea for open water), on a borrowed bike that I'd only managed to wobble about on the day before and wearing an ancient pair of trainers from the back of the wardrobe!  I've treated myself to quite a bit of nice kit as I've become more familiar with racing and what would be of most use to me.  Just remember, you don't need all the 'right' kit for your first attempt, the basics will see you through.

The equipment that you require will alter according to the type of race you have entered and the distance and terrain that you will be covering.  Below you will find lists of the basics, with some idea of how much they will cost.  I am also including my pre-race checklists, I use these to ensure that the logistics are all covered so I don't turn up to a race without a vital piece of kit.

Aquathlon - simplicity itself

• Swimming costume or trunks, a tri suit is not essential - £15.00 / £20.00
• Swimming hat, generally provided by the race organiser
• Running shoes - from £70.00
• T-shirt or top to run in, uncovered torsos aren't allowed

As you can see it would be possible to race an aquathlon without having to buy anything at all, you can just turn up and compete.  However, these are the absolute basics and I generally take a little more kit than this.  My aquathlon checklist is as follows:

• Tri suit - £10.00 from Aldi (yes, really) or £60.00
• Sports bra underneath, for the run (optional for the Gentlemen ) - £20.00
• Goggles, most entrants wear them - £15.00
• Baby shampoo  TOP TIP!  A little smudge inside your goggle lenses stops then from steaming up as you race - £2.00
• Running shoes
• Top or jacket to run in, dependant on the weather
• Race number belt (safety pins to attach it to your top are fine) - £5.00
• Cap, woolly hat or gloves, dependant on the weather

Duathlon

• Clothing that you'll be comfortable in for both running and cycling - tri suits are good, shorts and t-shirt are fine
• Running shoes, you can cycle in these too
• Bike, it doesn't have to be a state of the art tri bike, whatever you have or can borrow will do to give it a go
• Helmet, no helmet,  no race - an essential bit of kit - £35.00

Most duathletes use different shoes for the bike and the run, opting for running shoes and then cycle shoes that clip to their pedals and help to improve their power on the bike as you can pull up properly as well as pushing down.  These are in no way essential for your first attempt.  My duathlon checklist is as follows:

• Tri suit
• Sports bra
• Running shoes
• Top or jacket to run in, dependant on the weather
• Cap, woolly hat or gloves, dependant on the weather
• Race number belt
• Bike
• Helmet
• Cycle shoes
• Sunglasses   TOP TIP! They help to keep the dust out of your eyes (or contact lenses), especially on the descents

Triathlon

The main consideration that alters what you'll need for a triathlon is the location of the swim.  A pool swim reduces the amount of stuff you'll need to be able to race.

• Swimming costume or trunks
• Swimming hat
• Wetsuit for open water (some companies allow you to hire one for your event, a good way to try things out) - £110.00 to buy an entry level suit
• T-shirt or top
• Bike
• Helmet
• Running shoes

My triathlon checklist is below.  It does feel like a military operation getting ready at times, checking and rechecking kit.  Far better that than to turn up to race without a necessary piece of equipment.

• Tri suit
• Sports bra
• Swimming hat
• Wetsuit, for open water
• Goggles
• Baby shampoo
• Transition box (any plastic box large enough to hold your gear and keep it together in transition) - £10.00
• Jacket, dependant on the weather
• Race number belt
• Bike
• Helmet
• Cycle Shoes
• Sunglasses
• Gloves, dependant on the weather
• Running shoes
• Cap or woolly hat, dependant on the weather
• Drink belt (for longer races when you need to refuel during the run) - £10.00

It is always worth looking out for deals on equipment.  While I don't want to sound like an Aldi advert, at the right time of year they do very cheaply priced tri and cycling kit that stands up very well considering the outlay.  They are well worth looking at if you want a few items to get you started.  Once you've been bitten by the bug there are a lot of good starter kit deals around.  I got a beginners' triathlon pack from Triangle, a fantastic tri shop in Horsforth in Leeds, once I was sure that multisport racing was for me.  I got my bike, tri suit, cycle shoes, running shoes, race number belt, water bottle, goggles and wetsuit for about £950.00.  Racing can be made to fit any budget, starting from around the prices quoted here, then going up as far as you're prepared to go!