The study, which comprised an in-depth quantitative survey of 5,529 triathletes and multiple trade interviews, found that the UK\u2019s growing population of 150,000 triathletes, up 7% on 2015, are now spending an average of \u00a32,970 per year on the sport.<\/p>\n
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Since London 2012, the areas driving growth included wetsuits (up 137%), sports nutrition (up 82%) and event entries, travel and accommodation (up 67%).<\/p>\n
Wetsuit sales, benefitting from the growth in the popularity of open water swimming alongside triathlon, increased 13% last year, with 72% of those surveyed having bought a new wetsuit within the past three years.<\/p>\n
The growing adoption of sports nutrition, up 15% year on year, as a training and race aid was evidenced by 75% of respondents now using nutrition products at least once per week.<\/p>\n
The economic uncertainty introduced by June\u2019s Brexit vote was unable to stop the industry growing by 4.4%* overall in 2016. Whilst the \u2018big ticket\u2019 purchasing of bikes did suffer, down by 7%, triathletes seemed to console themselves by travelling overseas to race, with 24% racing outside the UK last year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Despite triathlon no longer being the new kid on the block, its grassroots still look in good shape with 37% of those questioned having started their first race in the last three years. Running is still the primary source for new starters, with 56% of new triathletes having previously been runners.<\/p>\n
Mel Berry, TIA Chair said: \u201cFor a niche yet constantly evolving sport like ours, this annual study is hugely important; it provides us with a detailed understanding of our community, and the trends affecting them, which gives us the vital confidence to make informed decisions, both individually and collectively. I would like to extend a big thank you to all of the 5,529 survey respondents and to the trade representatives who helped fine-tune the report.\u201d<\/p>\n
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For more information about TIA: http:\/\/www.triathlonindustryassociation.org\/<\/p>\n