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Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships to return to Milwaukee for 2020-21
Sprint-distance to be qualification-based starting in 2020; special qualification opportunities for 2019 participants
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon, in partnership with Toyota and the City of Milwaukee, today announced that Milwaukee has been selected to host the 2020 and 2021 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships with the 2020 event set for Aug. 7-9. USA Triathlon also announced that beginning in 2020, the Age Group Nationals sprint-distance race, which previously did not require qualification, will now be qualification-based. Special qualification opportunities for both the sprint- and Olympic-distance events are available for participants at the 2019 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships in Cleveland.
As USA Triathlon’s largest and longest-running annual event, the Age Group National Championships typically attract more than 5,000 athletes and 10,000 spectators. Milwaukee hosted the event from 2013-15, and the city is one of only two in history to have hosted for three consecutive years. Its 5,789 registrants in 2014 remains an Age Group National Championships record.
“Milwaukee was a beloved host city for Age Group Nationals from 2013-15 — offering both an ideal venue and strong local partnerships that gave us the ability to offer outstanding championship events,” said Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. “We look forward to bringing the nation’s most dedicated sprint and Olympic-distance triathletes back to a city that has welcomed us with open arms.”
Milwaukee is home to several professional sports teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) and Bucks (NBA). The city has a history of hosting large-scale national sporting events, including the 2015 U.S. Figure Skating Skate America, the 2017 USA Gymnastics Championships, the 2017 U.S. Open, the first and second rounds of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament and the 2018 USA Weightlifting American Open Finals. The city will also host the 2020 Democratic National Convention from July 13-16.
“We are excited and honored to bring back the Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships to Milwaukee in 2020 and 2021,” said Marissa Werner, Senior Sports and Entertainment Sales Manager for VISIT Milwaukee. “These premier events will each bring nearly 15,000 visitors and an estimated economic impact of more than $6 million to the Greater Milwaukee area. While competing, attendees will get to experience our beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, award-winning Milwaukee County Parks, world-class sporting facilities, a vibrant downtown, the Milwaukee Art Museum and all of Milwaukee’s wonderfully random facets that make it a top destination.”
The main venue for Age Group Nationals is adjacent to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Henry Maier Festival Park and Discovery World along the shore of Lake Michigan. Athletes will swim in Lake Michigan, which provides cool water temperatures and a breakwater in Milwaukee’s bay. The bike course traverses the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge and the Lake Freeway, which will be closed to traffic during the event. The run course travels out along Lake Michigan on paved trails through the scenic Veterans Park, returning on the shaded Lincoln Memorial Drive.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, located just seven miles from downtown and the race venue, has direct flights from most major U.S. a irports. In addition, most race hotels will be located within one mile of the venue. Multisport athletes can find exclusive hotel deals in Milwaukee by visiting hotels.usatriathlon.org/Event/1c2d/.
In 2020, racing will begin Friday, Aug. 7, with a 750-meter open water swim competition. The open water swim is open to anybody, and no qualification is required to compete. On Saturday, athletes will toe the line for the qualification-based Age Group Olympic-Distance National Championships, which feature a 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run.
The action continues Sunday with the Age Group Sprint National Championships, held on a 750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run course. For the first time in Age Group Nationals history, the sprint-distance race will require qualification to participate, similar to the Olympic-distance.
For both the sprint- and Olympic-distance races, an open wave will be available for athletes who do not meet the qualification criteria but still wish to participate. The open waves, capped at 150 men and women each, do not require qualification. Open wave participants will not be eligible for National Championship awards or Team USA qualification; however, non-championship awards will be presented in five-year age groups.
Both the sprint- and Olympic-distance races will serve as qualifiers for the following year’s ITU Age Group Triathlon World Championships. The 2021 and 2022 World Championships will be held in Bermuda and Abu Dhabi, respectively. For more information about Team USA, comprised of the nation’s top amateur multisport athletes who represent the U.S. at ITU World Championship events, visit usatriathlon.org/teamusa.
Registration for the 2020 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships will open on Aug. 8 for participants at this year’s Age Group Nationals, set for Aug. 8-11 in Cleveland. This early-registration option at Tier 1 pricing is only available in person in Cleveland.
Online registration at Tier 2 pricing will open for all qualified athletes and open wave participants on Aug. 12.
Exclusive Qualification Opportunities for 2019 Age Group National Championships Participants:
- All qualification criteria for the 2020 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships (sprint- and Olympic-distance) will be waived for 2019 Age Group Nationals participants who register during Tier 1 pricing, which is only offered onsite at the 2019 event in Cleveland. This option opens on Aug. 8 and is only available until the conclusion of the event. Registration will be located in the expo area at the race venue.
- All participants in the sprint-distance race at the 2019 Age Group National Championships, to be held Aug. 11 in Cleveland, will automatically qualify for the 2020 Sprint National Championships. This special, one-time qualification opportunity will not apply in future years.
To learn more about the 2020 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships, visit usatriathlon.org.
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Panamerican Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
About VISIT Milwaukee
VISIT Milwaukee is the Greater Milwaukee area’s convention and visitors’ bureau, marketing the destination as a top choice for business, convention, and leisure travel to national and international visitors in order to increase the economic impact of tourism in the region. Each year, tourism supports over 52,000 full-time jobs and brings more than $5.7 billion to the community. VISIT Milwaukee has over 700 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services, and area businesses. The Wisconsin Center District, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, and City of Wauwatosa are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.