Multisport combines swimming, biking, and running into one event, like a triathlon or duathlon. You'll learn to train smart, stay healthy, and finish a race of your own. It's a great way to build fitness and grit, one step at a time.
Why it's worth it
Crossing the finish line of your first triathlon or duathlon is a feeling you don't forget. This badge teaches you to train smart in more than one sport, eat and rest so your body can handle it, and move fast through transitions. You don't have to be the fastest; most racers' goal is to finish strong and beat their own time. The habits you build, steady training, planning, and pushing through when you're tired, carry into sports, school, and the rest of life.
Start this week
- Write down which sports you already do: can you swim laps, ride a bike, run a mile? That helps you choose a format for requirement 3.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of a Multisport counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
- Ask a parent to schedule a physical exam if you haven't had one recently, before you start training hard.
- Look for youth or beginner races in your area a few months out, so you have a goal date for requirement 7.
Plan ahead: Requirement 5 is a four-week training plan, and your event in requirement 7 comes after that. Choose your format (3) first. If it includes swimming, earn Swimming merit badge before you start requirement 5, then start training at least a month before your event.
Stay safe
- Swim only where a lifeguard or qualified adult is supervising, following Safe Swim Defense, and never train in open water alone.
- Wear a properly fitted helmet every time you ride, follow traffic laws, and ride with a buddy or adult.
- Drink water before, during, and after workouts, and stop if you feel dizzy, sick, or overheated.
Requirements · 8
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab) (updated 2025).
- Requirement 1
Safety and first aid
Tips for this section: Learn first aid for things like blisters, scrapes, dehydration, and heat problems before you start training.
- Requirement 1a
Explain to your counselor the hazards you're most likely to face in multisport and how to anticipate, prevent, reduce, and respond to them
- Requirement 1b
Show you know first aid for multisport injuries and illnesses, including blisters, abrasions, sprains, strains, contusions, concussions, dehydration, overheating, and hypothermia
- Requirement 2
Health and fitness
Tips for this section: Get a checkup before you train hard, and talk about eating well and drinking enough water.
Example for this section: Talk about how you'll fuel training: a breakfast with grains and protein, water before and after workouts, fruit or a sandwich after long sessions, and enough sleep. Explain why a doctor's checkup matters before you train hard.
- Requirement 2a
Discuss why a yearly physical exam matters and why it covers medical history, allergies, medications, immunizations, and overall health. Tell your counselor when you last had one
- Requirement 2b
Explain why good health habits matter, especially while training, and how tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful substances hurt your health and athletic performance
- Requirement 2c
Define a healthy diet and explain why it's important to keep one
- Requirement 3
Choosing your format
Tips for this section: Think about which sports you already enjoy and what gear you have, then pick the format that fits you best.
Example for this section: If you swim well and like biking, an aquabike or triathlon might fit. If swimming isn't your thing, a duathlon (run, bike, run) works great. List the gear you have and what you'd need to borrow.
- Requirement 3a
Discuss with your counselor how familiar and experienced you are with the three sports (swim, bike, run), plus the usual order and distance of each leg in a multisport race
- Requirement 3b
Tell your counselor which of swimming, biking, or running is your strongest and which needs the most work
- Requirement 3c
Name the equipment needed for each of swimming, biking, and running
- Requirement 3d
Using your interests, experience, and talks with your counselor, pick ONE format for the rest of the badge: triathlon (swim, bike, run), duathlon (bike, run), aquathlon (swim, run), or aquabike (swim, bike)
- Requirement 4
Skills for your chosen format. Choose 1 of 4
Tips for this section: Practice each sport on its own first. Wear a helmet when biking and swim only where a lifeguard or trained adult is watching.
- Requirement 4a
Triathlon
- Requirement 4a1
Swimming
- Requirement 4a1a
Earn the Swimming merit badge before doing requirements 5–8
- Requirement 4a1b
Explain the parts of Safe Swim Defense and how you'll make sure they're in place when you swim
- Requirement 4a1c
Explain to your counselor how a pool swim differs from an open-water swim, including the water temperature at which a wetsuit makes sense
- Requirement 4a2
Biking
- Requirement 4a2a
Explain to your counselor the four habits of safe cycling: be conspicuous, ride predictably, ride ready, and think ahead
- Requirement 4a2b
Discuss what to check regularly so your bike is safe to ride
- Requirement 4a2c
Explain why a correctly sized, fitted helmet and weather-appropriate clothing matter when cycling
- Requirement 4a3
Running
- Requirement 4a3a
Show a proper warm-up and cool-down for running, and explain to your counselor why hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, and rest matter
- Requirement 4a3b
Learn and state the basic road rules for runners
- Requirement 4a3c
Demonstrate running drills such as lunges, high knees, inchworms, butt kicks, and soldier kicks
- Requirement 4b
Duathlon
- Requirement 4b1
Biking
- Requirement 4b1a
Explain to your counselor the four habits of safe cycling: be conspicuous, ride predictably, ride ready, and think ahead
- Requirement 4b1b
Discuss what to check regularly so your bike is safe to ride
- Requirement 4b1c
Explain why a correctly sized, fitted helmet and weather-appropriate clothing matter when cycling
- Requirement 4b2
Running
- Requirement 4b2a
Show a proper warm-up and cool-down for running, and explain to your counselor why hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, and rest matter
- Requirement 4b2b
Learn and state the basic road rules for runners
- Requirement 4b2c
Demonstrate running drills such as lunges, high knees, inchworms, butt kicks, and soldier kicks
- Requirement 4c
Aquathlon
- Requirement 4c1
Swimming
- Requirement 4c1a
Earn the Swimming merit badge before doing requirements 5–8
- Requirement 4c1b
Explain the parts of Safe Swim Defense and how you'll make sure they're in place when you swim
- Requirement 4c1c
Explain to your counselor how a pool swim differs from an open-water swim, including the water temperature at which a wetsuit makes sense
- Requirement 4c2
Running
- Requirement 4c2a
Show a proper warm-up and cool-down for running, and explain to your counselor why hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, and rest matter
- Requirement 4c2b
Learn and state the basic road rules for runners
- Requirement 4c2c
Demonstrate running drills such as lunges, high knees, inchworms, butt kicks, and soldier kicks
- Requirement 4d
Aquabike
- Requirement 4d1
Swimming
- Requirement 4d1a
Earn the Swimming merit badge before doing requirements 5–8
- Requirement 4d1b
Explain the parts of Safe Swim Defense and how you'll make sure they're in place when you swim
- Requirement 4d1c
Explain to your counselor how a pool swim differs from an open-water swim, including the water temperature at which a wetsuit makes sense
- Requirement 4d2
Biking
- Requirement 4d2a
Explain to your counselor the four habits of safe cycling: be conspicuous, ride predictably, ride ready, and think ahead
- Requirement 4d2b
Discuss what to check regularly so your bike is safe to ride
- Requirement 4d2c
Explain why a correctly sized, fitted helmet and weather-appropriate clothing matter when cycling
- Requirement 5
Four-week training plan
Tips for this section: Write your plan on a calendar and log each workout. Small steady gains add up fast.
Example for this section: A sample week: Monday swim 25 minutes, Tuesday run 25 minutes, Wednesday rest, Thursday bike 30 minutes, Friday swim 25 minutes, Saturday a bike-then-run brick workout, Sunday rest. Warm up before each session, stretch after, and log your times and how you felt.
- Requirement 5a
With your counselor's guidance, make a four-week training plan for your chosen format to build technique, confidence, and endurance. Each session lasts at least 25 minutes, with a warm-up before and stretching after
- Requirement 5b
Track your training and progress over the four weeks with a chart or other method
- Requirement 5c
Set a personal improvement goal for time, technique, or distance (one or more)
- Requirement 5d
When the four weeks are up, review your progress with your counselor and how the training changed you mentally and physically
- Requirement 6
Learn how to set up a transition area for your bike and running gear, and discuss with your counselor how to switch smoothly and safely between legs, such as getting on and off your bike or changing gear
Tip: Lay out your gear at home in the order you'll need it, then practice switching quickly from one sport to the next.
For example: Lay a towel next to your bike with your helmet on top, upside down with straps open, then shoes, sunglasses, race number, and a water bottle. Practice the swim-to-bike and bike-to-run switches at home.
- Requirement 7
Complete your event. Choose 1 of 4
Tips for this section: Look for a youth or beginner race nearby. Your goal is to finish safely and have fun, not to win.
Example for this section: On race day, check in early, set up your transition area, warm up, and start at a pace you can keep. Afterward, write down your times, what went well, and what you'd change next race.
- Requirement 7a
After finishing requirements 1–6, if it's the format you chose in 3d, complete your triathlon on one day, back to back, with smooth, safe transitions: swim 100 m, bike 3 km, run 1 km
- Requirement 7b
After finishing requirements 1–6, if it's the format you chose in 3d, complete your duathlon on one day, back to back, with smooth, safe transitions: run 1.5 km, bike 3 km, run 0.75 km
- Requirement 7c
After finishing requirements 1–6, if it's the format you chose in 3d, complete your aquathlon on one day, back to back, with smooth, safe transitions: swim 100 m, run 1 km
- Requirement 7d
After finishing requirements 1–6, if it's the format you chose in 3d, complete your aquabike on one day, back to back, with smooth, safe transitions: swim 100 m, bike 3 km
- Requirement 8
Keep going in multisport. Choose 2 of 5
Tips for this section: Volunteer at a local race or invite friends to train with you.
Example for this section: Volunteer at a local race handing out water or helping at transition, or lead a training ride for younger Scouts with adult supervision, or start a weekly run with friends.
- Requirement 8a
Find two ways to keep doing multisport after this badge, and discuss them with your counselor
- Requirement 8b
Research an Olympic, Paralympic, or pro triathlete, past or present, and tell your counselor how they got into the sport and what about them inspires you
- Requirement 8c
Show leadership by starting a training group and teaching peers about physical activity, nutrition, and the multisport disciplines; discuss it with your counselor
- Requirement 8d
Register for and take part in a sanctioned multisport event near you, and discuss it with your counselor
- Requirement 8e
Volunteer at a local multisport event, running race, bike event, swim meet, or adaptive sports event, and discuss it with your counselor
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A local youth or beginner race
Watching or volunteering shows you how transitions, start waves, and finish lines really work.
How: Have a parent contact the race director and ask about youth volunteer jobs, or go together to watch.
A recreation center or YMCA with a pool and track
Staff can help you plan safe swim workouts and may offer group training or youth triathlon programs.
How: Have a parent ask the front desk or aquatics coordinator about youth programs and lap swim times.
Where it can lead
- CoachBuilds training plans and helps athletes improve, from youth programs to college teams.
- Athletic trainerPrevents and treats sports injuries; needs a degree and certification.
- Physical therapistHelps athletes and others recover from injuries and move better.
- Race directorPlans and runs races, from courses and permits to volunteers and safety.
- Exercise physiologistStudies how the body responds to training and helps people train safely.
Ask yourself
- Which of the sports feels easiest for you, and which one makes you a little nervous?
- What did your training log show you about your progress?
- When a workout felt hard, what helped you push through or know when to rest?
- How did you feel crossing the finish line, and what surprised you about race day?
- What's your next goal in multisport or another sport?
Good questions to ask a coach or experienced triathlete
- How did you train for your first race, and what would you do differently?
- How do you balance training in more than one sport each week?
- What's the best way to get faster at transitions?
- What should I eat before and during a race?
- How do you stay motivated when training gets tough?
Helpful reads
- Earning a merit badge, step by step, From picking a badge to getting the final signature: how to find a counselor, set up meetings safely, work the requirements, and keep your progress., Youth · Families · 6 min read
- Contacting counselors, experts, and organizations, Email and phone scripts, who to ask for, how to follow up, and how to say thanks, with a parent copied every time., Youth · Families · 7 min read
- Choosing your next merit badge, How to pick a badge you'll actually finish: start with what you care about, balance Eagle-required and just-for-fun badges, and make the most of camp., Youth · Families · 6 min read
For leaders & parents
- Help scouts find youth-friendly races and set up safe, supervised group training sessions.
- Encourage scouts to focus on personal progress rather than comparing times.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- USA Triathlon (opens in a new tab) — Info on youth races and multisport formats.
- Local YMCA or recreation center — Pools, tracks, and training programs.
- Bike shop — Help with bike fit, helmets, and basic repairs.
- Move Your Way (opens in a new tab) — How much activity your body needs and tips for staying active safely.
- Nutrition.gov (opens in a new tab) — Food and nutrition tips for active teens from the USDA.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (opens in a new tab) — Bike safety tips for riding on roads and trails.
- Guide to Safe Scouting: Aquatics Safety (opens in a new tab) — Safe Swim Defense rules for swim training and races.
Pairs well with
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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.