COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — For the third consecutive year the Olympic-Distance race at the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships, scheduled for Aug. 18 in Burlington, Vt., has sold out in record time.
Contested each year since 1983, Age Group Nationals has sold out just twice before — last year when the field reached capacity nearly two months in advance, and in 2010, when all slots were filled one week prior to the event in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Burlington will host the largest-ever USA Triathlon-owned National Championship in 2012, with a total of 4,100 slots available — 2,100 for the Olympic-Distance race on Saturday, Aug. 18 and 2,000 set for the Sprint National Championship to be held on Sunday, Aug. 19. Athletes representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia are slated to compete.
“We have already had more athletes register for the Olympic-Distance National Championship than in the event’s history. Burlington was a spectacular venue last year, and triathletes across the country are looking for their opportunity to win national titles and represent Team USA at the 2013 ITU Age Group World Championship in London, England,” said USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach.
“Because we have a number of top athletes hoping to qualify for this race at Regional Championships and Special Qualifiers that have not yet been held, we have allocated a limited number of spots for these upcoming regional events to allow athletes the opportunity to qualify. Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of expanding the transition area to accommodate the growing number of triathletes interested in competing at this national championship event.”
As information becomes available it will be posted on usatriathlon.org, as well as USA Triathlon’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.
All other athletes who qualify have the opportunity to sign up on a wait list for the Aug. 18 Olympic-distance event. Visit usatriathlon.org for more information on the Olympic-Distance National Championship wait list. A pre-payment is required but a full refund will be issued to any wait-listed athlete who does not get added to the event.
Another option available to athletes this year is the option to register for a USA Triathlon Foundation Fundraising slot. Twenty spots have been allocated for athletes wishing to fundraise $1,000 for their chance to race in the Olympic-Distance National Championship. Funds will benefit youth and junior development and paratriathlon programming. Click here for more information.
Athletes interested in competing in Burlington are also welcome to register for the Sprint National Championship on Aug. 19. Click here to register for this event. However, for an athlete who registers for Sprint Nationals and is later added to the Olympic-Distance National Championship via the wait list, no refunds will be given.
Visit usatriathlon.org to learn more about the 2012 USA Triathlon Olympic-Distance National Championship and the qualification process.
