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October 24 - November 20

Work harder and train smarter. Zwift Academy
Tri identifies your strengths and provides
structured workouts and training tips
created by world-class coach Dr. Dan
Plews. Whether you want to get faster,
learn more about training, or a combination
of both, you’ll go farther as a ZA Tri graduate.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Zwift Academy Tri is perfect for athletes at any level. Learn how to train effectively while putting your fitness to the test. At the end of the program there are two Finish Line events—one for run and one for ride. We’ll identify your strengths and recommend opportunities to improve with suggested workouts once the program ends.

  • 6Structured Workouts
  • 1Finish Line Run
  • 1Finish Line Ride
  • Perfect for Triathletes of All Levels

Workout Program Overview

Ready to get started? The ZA Tri program includes six structured workouts designed by world-class coach, Dr. Dan Plews. At the end of ZA Tri, there are two Finish Line events. The Finish Line Ride is a 5-minute power test within a 60-minute workout. The Finish Line Run has two options where you run as far as possible in in a fixed amount of time. The short run is 15-minutes, and the long run is 30-minutes.

If you’re hoping to qualify for the ZA Tri team, you’ll need to complete the long run option. 

Workout Program Overview

YOUR COACH

Dr. Dan Plews

A world-class coach and athlete in his own right, Dr. Dan Plews has a Ph.D. in exercise physiology and more than 60 publications in the area. He’s worked with more than 25 World Champions and Olympians in triathlon, rowing, and sailing. Long course triathlon is his passion, having coached athletes to numerous 70.3 and long course wins plus several sub-8-hour performances. On top of that, Dan holds the Kona course record—8 hours and 24 minutes—for the fastest ever age-grouper.

YOUR COACH

Show off your Academy pride with this year's kit. Unlock the hat, shoes, socks, run kit, cycling kit when you complete all requirements.

EARN YOUR SPOT

Compete for a spot on our fully-supported
amateur Tri team! Featuring mentors Sarah
True and Tim Don, this is a dream experience
for athletes who dream big.  

To qualify, you'll need to complete the three
bike workouts, the three long run workouts,
the Finish Line Ride, and the longer,
30-minute Finish Line Run.

THE MENTORS

Sarah True

“The Zwift Academy Tri Team exemplifies so much of what is great about triathlon: the sense of community, pursuit of excellence, and passion for the sport. Being a mentor to these exceptional athletes has been such a wonderful reminder of how a shared love of sport has the power to bring us together.”

Tim Don

“Being a mentor on the Zwift Academy Tri Team has been awesome. To be able to give all of the athletes an insight into life as a pro and add some invaluable tips on how to improve as an athlete has been great fun. From the camps in Morgan Hill to Kona itself, and not to mention all the banter on our team WhatsApp group, I too have grown as an athlete and mentor.”

FAQ

Zwift Academy Tri runs from October 24, 2022, 3 pm UTC (8 am PT) to November 20, 2022, 8:59 am UTC (1:59 am PT) .

For those competing for a spot on the Zwift Academy Tri Team, finalists will be contacted in early 2023. More details to follow.

You must complete the program’s six structured workouts (three cycling, three running), one Finish Line Ride and one Finish Line Run. All requirements need to be completed between October 24 and November 20. You’ll find the workouts in the “Zwift Academy Tri 2022” folder on your workout menu screen.

This year we’ve added two new features to Zwift Academy Tri: short and long Run workout options—and Finish Line events.

Short Run Workouts are between 25–30 minutes and are a condensed version of the Long workouts. The short Workouts are ideal for new triathletes, less experienced runners, or anyone who wants to do a brief run workout.

Long Run Workouts are 45 minutes and offer increased intervals and tempo durations. These workouts are ideal for more experienced triathletes looking to improve their speed and endurance.

This year, there will be a single Finish Line Ride for bike and either a 15-minute Short or 30-minute Long run. 

Both the Finish Line Run and Finish Line Ride are required to graduate. The longer run workouts and the longer Finish Line Run is required for Zwifters who are aiming to make the ZA Tri Team. 

The Finish Line Ride and Finish Line Run are meant to be the final events in your Zwift Academy program. These events will allow you to test the fitness and experience you’ve gained from Zwift Academy Tri–and use it for training towards your next triathlon.

Athletes are challenged to get personal records (PR’s) on the TT race and 15-minute or 30-minute run. There is no drafting and no leader. The longer Finish Line Run is required for Zwift Academy Tri Team contenders.

TT Race categories are:

Finish Line Ride, approximately 55-minute bike event.

Run categories are:

A: 15-minute run

B: 30-minute run

NOTE: The long version of the Finish Line Run is required for Zwift Academy Tri Team.

To be eligible for team selection, athletes must:

  • Graduate the Zwift Academy Tri program
  • Complete the Finish Line Ride and the longer, 30-minute Finish Line Run, plus all longer run workouts
  • For bike events, athletes must use a smart trainer (or heart rate monitor and cadence sensor)
  • For run events, athletes must use a cadence sensor, heart rate monitor, and complete the Long Run workouts
  • Must be an amateur athlete