|
Elite series to feature over $800,000 in prize money
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec 13, 2006) -- The drive toward the 2008 Beijing Olympics will continue in 2007 with USA Triathlon’s third annual “Haul to the Great Wall” elite race series.
While the intent of the series is to provide up-and- coming triathletes with draft-legal racing experience and the chance to earn valuable ITU points toward Olympic qualifying, look for the 2007 series to feature some of the bigger names in U.S. – and international – elite triathlon racing.
The 2007 series includes five great race destinations with more than $800,000 in prize money up for grabs. The series includes the Honolulu Triathlon (USAT Elite Nationals) in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 20, the Hy-Vee Triathlon (ITU World Cup) in Des Moines, Iowa on June 17, the Musselman Triathlon in Geneva, N.Y. on July 14, the Great Colorado Triathlon (USAT Youth & Junior Nationals) in Longmont, Colo. on August 12, and the Treasure Island Triathlon (Series Championship) in San Francisco, Calif. on November 10.
“There is strong potential to have U.S. National Team athletes at four of the five races,” said USAT Sports Performance Director Scott Schnitzspahn. “Elite Nationals is always a big draw and the Hy-Vee World Cup will obviously have a strong field. Longmont is just a short drive from Boulder and Colorado Springs, where many U.S. and international elites train. Treasure Island is an end-of-the-season favorite and will serve as the Series Championship, and with double points on the line, all the top contenders should be there.”
The Musselman Triathlon should be a chance for some of the newer faces in U.S. triathlon to take center stage and earn series points as U.S. National Team athletes are away competing at the Pan American Games.
The Honolulu Triathlon
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Date: May 20
Prize Purse: $30,000
Details: U.S. Elite National Championship
The Hy-Vee Triathlon
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Date: June 17
Prize Purse: $700,000
Details: ITU World Cup Event
The Musselmann Triathlon
Location: Geneva, N.Y.
Date: July 14
Prize Purse: $20,000
The Great Colorado Triathlon
Location: Longmont, Colo.
Date: August 12
Prize Purse: $20,000
Details: USAT Youth & Junior National Championship
The Treasure Island Triathlon
Location: San Francisco, Calif.
Date: November 10
Prize Purse: $40,000
Details: Series Championship; Double series points
The Haul to the Great Wall series of intermediate distance triathlons allows triathletes and spectators to get their first look at who might be competing at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Each race is sanctioned by USAT and will also serve as ITU Pan American Cup races. The ITU world rankings system is used as part of the qualification process for the Olympic Games.
The overall series men’s and women's champions will each receive $6,000. Athletes must compete in a minimum of three events to be eligible for the overall series title. If athletes compete in more than three events, the top-three results will be included in the points total.
Swimwear and sports apparel giant Speedo is also providing $5,000 in bonus money for each race on the five-city tour. American men and women who finish in the top-three in their respective races are eligible for the bonuses, with $1,500 going to the top finisher, $750 to second, and $250 to third.
In addition to the individual race bonus pool, Speedo is providing a $15,000 end-of-the-season bonus to be split if U.S. athletes finish first or second in the series. First place will receive $5,000 and second place will take home $2,500 in both the men’s and women’s categories.
More information on the 2007 Haul to the Great Wall Series can be found at http://www.usatriathlon.org /UsatEvents/2007HaulToTheGreatWall.aspx.
About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 2,000 races and connects with more than 80,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world.
Website: USATriathlon.org.
Comment on this story.
Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest
|
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
