COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon announced today that Milwaukee, Wis., has been selected as the host city for the 2013 and 2014 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships. The 2013 event is slated for Aug. 10-11.
Consisting of USA Triathlon’s two signature amateur races — the Olympic-Distance National Championships and the Sprint National Championships — the two-day Age Group Nationals is USA Triathlon’s largest national championship event. Held in Burlington, Vt., the 2012 event featured a record total of more than 3,500 registered competitors, and combined participation in the two races has more than doubled since 2010.
In 2013, Olympic-Distance Nationals will be held Saturday, Aug. 10, followed by Sprint Nationals on Sunday, Aug. 11.
The proposed Milwaukee race venue is adjacent to Henry Maier Festival Park along the shores of Lake Michigan with the swim being contested in Lake Michigan and the bike and run held on the streets along the Lakefront.
“USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals has truly become a destination race for the nation’s top amateur triathletes, and we are thrilled to bring the event to Milwaukee for the next two years,” said USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach. “Milwaukee provides our competitors with a big-city feel and offer many amenities that make it an appealing host for this event. We look forward to working with the city of Milwaukee over the coming months to build a memorable race experience.”
“Milwaukee is delighted to have been chosen as the location for the 2013 and 2014 USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals. Our strong triathlete community and award-winning Milwaukee County Parks situated on the picturesque Lake Michigan lakefront set the stage for this nationally recognized event, which promises to attract athletes from around the country,” said VISIT Milwaukee Vice President of Sales & Marketing Brent Foerster.
The Olympic-distance race features a 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run, while the sprint race is comprised of a 750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run. Both races are lauded for featuring the nation’s top age-group fields and serve as qualifiers for Team USA, the select group of amateur triathletes who represent the U.S. at International Triathlon Union World Championship events. The 2013 Age Group Nationals in Milwaukee will serve as the sole qualifier for Team USA for the 2014 ITU World Championships.
Visit usatriathlon.org for qualification information for 2013 Olympic-Distance Nationals.
With direct flights from most major U.S. airports, Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport is located just seven miles from downtown and the race venue. All race hotels will be located within one mile of the venue.
“Milwaukee is an active city and a great place to train. The area is very welcoming to athletes,” said 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team member Gwen Jorgensen, who is a Milwaukee-area native. “Lake Michigan is beautiful, and I enjoy training next to the lake whenever I am in town. This venue will be a great fit for Age Group Nationals.”
For a look back at the 2012 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships, visit usatriathlon.org for coverage of Olympic-Distance Nationals and Sprint Nationals.
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