Orange County International Triathlon to host 2009 National Amateur Championship Triathlon
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA , December 4, 2008—Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete Competition management announced today that its 2009 Championship Race will be hosted September 27 by Orange County International Triathlon, at Lake Mission Viejo, California [octri.com]. Those who have been around triathlon for a while may remember this scenic location as the site of the high-profile Orange County Performing Arts Triathlon in the late 1980s and early 90s.
“The City was very pleased to have the triathlon tradition return with the 2008 Orange County International Triathlon,” said Mayor Trish Kelley. “It was exciting to bring back such a popular piece of our history. Our residents are very focused on athletics, fitness, and recreation so the triathlon is a great fit for us. Mission Viejo is honored to be chosen as the location for the Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete Competition 2009 Championship Race.”
“Mission Viejo is gorgeous, but this race is much more than just a pretty face,” said BOUS Co- Director Trudy Marshall. “The organizers have created a safe, scenic, and truly Championship-caliber course. Athletes from every corner of the country will appreciate its unique challenges.” Race Directors Bill Leach and Bob Cuyler, former professional triathletes who have trained in the area for nearly two decades, have created an urban race that feels rural, utilizing well-paved but low-traffic highways through Santiago Canyon. Long uphill pulls on the ride and some steep hills on the mostly off-road run will equalize the challenge for athletes of different strengths. The entire course serves up a visual delight of Southern California’s golden hills and lush vegetation, under the backdrop of Saddleback Mountain.
“We are very excited and honored to have the 2009 O. C. International Triathlon be the BOUS Championship,” said Leach. “The effort of the BOUS Series to bring together the overall age group champions from each of the state qualifier races makes for great competition regardless of age and adds a special meaning to the Series Championship. The venue, set in Mission Viejo, and our challenging course, utilizing one of the unique rural country roads in southern California, will make for a great race. For the other athletes competing in our race having the 100 athletes from the 50 states will be a special experience, enjoyed by all.”
Best of the U.S. is a unique series created to honor top amateurs and recognize amateur competition as the engine of the sport. The series offers a single designated Qualifier Race in each U.S. state, which qualifies the top resident amateur male and female for the Championship. Visit BestOfTheUSTriathletes.com for more information.
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