ATLAS
Sports & Race Glossary
Short explanations for endurance, outdoor, hybrid and strength sport terms.
127 terms
A
B
- Backyard UltraLast-runner-standing format: complete a 6.7 km loop every hour until only one finisher remains.EVENT FORMAT
- Base BuildingA training phase focused on easy aerobic volume — building the foundation for later intensity.TRAINING
- Bike ComputerHandlebar-mounted device showing speed, power, HR, navigation and route.GEAR
- BikepackingMulti-day cycling with gear strapped to the bike instead of racks or panniers.SPORT
- BottleSoft flask or rigid bottle used for short-to-long fluid carry.GEAR
- Brick SessionBack-to-back workout combining two disciplines, most often bike-to-run.TRAINING
C
- CadenceThe number of steps per minute (running) or pedal revolutions per minute (cycling).TRAINING
- ChalkMagnesium carbonate used to improve grip on bars, ropes and dumbbells.GEAR
- Charity RunOrganised run whose primary purpose is raising money for a cause.EVENT FORMAT
- ClimbA sustained uphill section of a race or ride.TERRAIN
- Community RunFree or low-cost, weekly or one-off, locally organised group run.EVENT FORMAT
- ConditioningGeneral aerobic and metabolic fitness supporting a primary sport.TRAINING
- CrewneckA heavyweight pullover — the off-clock uniform of the lifting and hybrid scene.GEAR
- CrossFit-style CompetitionFunctional fitness events that follow a CrossFit competition format — without using the CrossFit trademark.SPORT
- CyclingRoad cycling — from criteriums and granfondos to climbing classics and weekend club rides.SPORT
D
- DeloadPlanned week of reduced volume or intensity to absorb training and recover.TRAINING
- DescentThe downhill portion of a run or ride.TERRAIN
- Destination RaceEvent you travel to because the location itself is part of the experience.EVENT FORMAT
- DuathlonRun, bike, run — multi-sport without the swim. A strong entry point for runners moving toward triathlon.SPORT
E
- ElectrolytesSodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride salts lost in sweat and replaced during exercise.GEAR
- Elevation GainTotal meters climbed over the course of a race or ride.TERRAIN
- Endurance TrainingThe overall practice of building aerobic capacity for long-duration effort.SPORT
- Energy GelConcentrated carbohydrate paste in a small sachet, taken during endurance efforts.GEAR
- EngineSlang for aerobic capacity — the bigger your engine, the longer you sustain hard work.TRAINING
F
- Fitness RaceA standardized indoor or outdoor race combining running and functional stations — HYROX is the dominant format.EVENT FORMAT
- Fitness RacingTimed events combining running with functional fitness workouts.SPORT
- Flat CourseRace course with minimal elevation change, favouring even pacing and PBs.TERRAIN
- ForestWooded trail terrain — soft surfaces, shade and rolling profiles.TERRAIN
- Functional FitnessMixed-modal competitive fitness — workouts combining barbells, gymnastics and conditioning, scored on time or reps.SPORT
G
- GPS WatchWrist device that tracks pace, distance, heart rate, elevation and route.GEAR
- Gran FondoMass-participation long-distance road cycling event, usually 100 km or more.SPORT
- GravelLong bike events on unpaved roads — fast, scenic and built around riding all day with mixed-ability fields.SPORT
- Gravel BikeDrop-bar bicycle designed for mixed paved and unpaved terrain.GEAR
- Gravel FondoMass-participation gravel ride with a set course and timing, but a friendly ethos.EVENT FORMAT
- Gravel KitLong-day cycling kit for gravel — abrasion-resistant, ventilated and built for long hours in the saddle.GEAR
- Gravel RaceTimed cycling event on unpaved roads, tracks and mixed surfaces.EVENT FORMAT
- Gravel TerrainDirt and gravel roads — the foundation of gravel cycling and many bikepacking routes.TERRAIN
- Grip StrengthHand and forearm strength — limiting factor in OCR, kettlebell sport and many strength events.TRAINING
H
- Hiking ChallengeLong-distance hiking events with cut-offs and a route — slower than ultras, but still timed and structured.SPORT
- Hill RepeatsShort uphill efforts repeated with recovery — a staple for runners building strength and speed.TRAINING
- Hybrid AthleteAn athlete training and racing across endurance and strength — running, lifting and conditioning in one program.SPORT
- HydrationSoft flasks, bottles, vests and packs that carry fluid during long efforts.GEAR
- Hydration VestRunning-specific vest holding water, nutrition and mandatory kit.GEAR
- HYROXIndoor hybrid racing: 8 × 1 km runs alternated with 8 functional workout stations. Loud, fast and standardized.SPORT
I
- IndoorControlled indoor venues — used for HYROX, functional fitness and strength events.TERRAIN
- IntervalsStructured hard efforts separated by recovery — the core of speed and threshold development.TRAINING
- IRON-Distance3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km run — the full-day triathlon that defines long-course racing.SPORT
L
- LayersSystem of clothing pieces combined to manage temperature in variable conditions.GEAR
- Local RaceEvent within reasonable travel distance of your home base.EVENT FORMAT
- Long DistanceIRON-distance triathlon: 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km run.EVENT FORMAT
- Long RunThe longest run of your week, done at easy to moderate effort.TRAINING
M
- Middle DistanceThe 70.3 / half distance triathlon: 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, 21.1 km run.EVENT FORMAT
- Mixed TerrainCourses combining road, trail and gravel — common in long endurance events.TERRAIN
- MobilityActive range of motion under control — the connective tissue between strength and durability.TRAINING
- MountainAlpine terrain with significant elevation — climbs, ridges and exposed sections.TERRAIN
- Mountain RunningSteep, technical running in alpine terrain — often defined more by vertical meters than horizontal distance.SPORT
- Mountain UltraUltra-distance race (50 km+) run predominantly in mountain terrain.EVENT FORMAT
- MudWet, soft ground that slows movement and changes footing.TERRAIN
N
O
- Obstacle Course RacingRunning events broken up by walls, ropes, carries and grip challenges.SPORT
- Obstacle RaceA timed race with running plus mandatory or penalty-based obstacles.EVENT FORMAT
- OCRObstacle Course Racing — running plus walls, carries, monkey bars and mud, raced over short or long distances.SPORT
- Olympic TriathlonThe standard Olympic distance: 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run.EVENT FORMAT
- Olympic WeightliftingTwo lifts — snatch and clean & jerk — competed for maximum weight in three attempts each.SPORT
- Open WaterSwimming outside a pool: lakes, rivers, sea.TERRAIN
- OutdoorOpen-air courses — exposed to weather, surface and elevation changes.TERRAIN
P
- PaceTime taken to cover a set distance, e.g. minutes per kilometre.TRAINING
- PBPersonal Best — the British/European equivalent of PR.TRAINING
- Power OutputWork performed per unit of time, measured in watts.TRAINING
- PowerliftingThree lifts — squat, bench press and deadlift — competed for maximum weight in three attempts each.SPORT
- PRPersonal Record — your fastest time or heaviest lift for a given standard.TRAINING
- Premium PickEditorial tag for the strongest single event of a season or region.EVENT FORMAT
- Progressive OverloadGradually increasing training stress over time to keep driving adaptation.TRAINING
R
- Race BeltElastic belt that holds your bib number without pinning it to a jersey.GEAR
- Race Day KitThe exact set of clothing and gear you wear and carry on race day — chosen, packed and tested in advance.GEAR
- Race PaceThe pace you intend to hold for a specific race distance.TRAINING
- Race WeekThe final 7 days before race day — light training, sharp logistics, clean rest.TRAINING
- Race WeekendMulti-day event stacking several races and side events around one destination.EVENT FORMAT
- RecoveryEverything between sessions — sleep, food, easy movement and time off.TRAINING
- Recovery HoodieHeavyweight hooded layer worn before, after and between sessions — warmth without performance fabric.GEAR
- RelayA team format where athletes split disciplines or legs — common in triathlon, HYROX and running events.EVENT FORMAT
- RoadPaved surfaces — the standard for road running, road cycling and time trials.TERRAIN
- Road CyclingCycling on paved roads, from casual loops to closed-course races.SPORT
- Road RunningRunning on paved surfaces like streets, promenades and prepared paths.SPORT
- Rolling HillsContinuous succession of moderate climbs and descents with no long flat sections.TERRAIN
- RPERate of Perceived Exertion — a 1–10 self-rating of workout intensity.TRAINING
- RunningRoad running covers everything from 5K club races to the city marathon — the most accessible endurance sport in the world.SPORT
- Running CapLightweight cap built for movement — sweat-managing, fast-drying and visor-shaped.GEAR
- Running SocksTechnical socks designed for running: moisture-wicking, blister-resistant, well-fitted.GEAR
S
- SingletrackTrail wide enough for one person or bike at a time.TERRAIN
- SkyraceSkyrunning race between 20 and 49 km with 1,300 m+ of climbing.EVENT FORMAT
- SkyrunningMountain running on steep, high-altitude courses with technical terrain.SPORT
- Soft FlaskCollapsible bottle carried in trail vests and running belts.GEAR
- Split TimeThe elapsed time for a defined segment of a race or workout.TRAINING
- Sprint TriathlonThe shortest standard triathlon: 750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run.EVENT FORMAT
- Stage RaceA multi-day event where each day is timed and overall placing is the sum of all stages.EVENT FORMAT
- Strength BlockA focused 4–8 week phase dedicated to building maximum or general strength.TRAINING
- Strength EnduranceThe ability to sustain force output over time — the engine behind HYROX, OCR and functional fitness racing.SPORT
- Strength MeetA judged strength competition — powerlifting, weightlifting or strongman — scored on max weight or reps.EVENT FORMAT
- StrongmanCompetitive strength sport built around odd-object lifting, carries and heavy presses — events vary by show.SPORT
- SwimrunLong point-to-point events alternating swims and trail runs — usually raced in pairs and tethered.SPORT
T
- TaperA planned reduction in training volume before race day to arrive fresh.TRAINING
- Technical DescentDownhill section with rocks, roots or steep grade requiring skill.TERRAIN
- Technical TeeLightweight, moisture-managing training shirt — the base layer of most workouts.GEAR
- Technical TrailTrail with roots, rocks, drops and uneven footing that demand attention every step.TERRAIN
- Tempo RunSustained run at comfortably hard effort, usually 20–40 minutes.TRAINING
- ThresholdThe intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate faster than the body can clear it.TRAINING
- Time TrialA solo race against the clock — no drafting, usually on closed road.EVENT FORMAT
- TrailUnpaved running or hiking surfaces — singletrack, forest paths and mixed dirt.TERRAIN
- Trail Half Marathon21.1 km off-road race, usually on marked trails with real elevation.EVENT FORMAT
- Trail LayersA modular layering system for trail and mountain — base, wind layer, waterproof shell.GEAR
- Trail Marathon42.2 km off-road race on trails, forest tracks and mountain paths.EVENT FORMAT
- Trail RunningTrail running moves off the road into forests, mountains and singletrack — from short local races to technical mountain ultras.SPORT
- Trail ShoesRunning shoes built for off-road terrain: aggressive tread, protective upper, rock plate.GEAR
- TriathlonSwim, bike, run — back to back. The classic multi-sport endurance event, from Sprint to Iron distance.SPORT