Tuscaloosa, Alabama – and a National Title – is Waiting for You

You may have already qualified to compete at the 2009 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship and don’t even know it.
 
Tuscaloosa, Ala., is serving as proud host for the Olympic-distance event on August 22, 2009. Tuscaloosa has shared its Southern hospitality for the past two years as host for 2007 and 2008 USAT Collegiate Nationals and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Now the city is ready to welcome you.
 
Find out more about USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals.

By competing in the championship event, you can race for an age group national title and for a spot on Team USA at the 2010 ITU World Championship in Budapest, Hungary. As an added bonus, you can experience the excitement of draft-legal racing and cheer on the elites who will be competing in the USAT Elite National Championship that same day.

"A race's character is always based on the town where it's staged," said elite athlete and USAT Trade Team member Joe Umphenour. "Being in the heart of Crimson Tide country, you know you'll be treated to some of the most spirited and rabid fans to be found anywhere in the U.S. That's what makes this race special, and it lifts you when the going gets tough. And besides, afterwards you know that there is always supernatural BBQ awaiting your hungry palate!"
 
So, do you have what it takes to compete? Have you already qualified? Here is a summary of the qualification standards [Click here for a detailed description of the USA Triathon Age Group Nationals qualification standards.]
 
1) Finish in the top 10 percent or as top finisher (whichever is greater) in your respective age group at a USAT-sanctioned event. And it doesn’t just have to be in an Olympic distance triathlon. You can also qualify at any sprint, long distance triathlon or duathlon, and short distance duathlon event, as long as it’s sanctioned by USAT. (Standard must be met between September 21, 2008 and August 16, 2009.)
 
2) Special Qualifying and Regional Championship races will qualify the top 33 percent or top five finishers (whichever is greater) in each age group.
 
3) Top 33 percent or top five (whichever is greater) athletes in each age group at any USAT National Championship in current and/or previous year automatically qualify.
 
4) The top 10 finishers in each age group from the 2008 USAT Age Group National Championship automatically qualify.
 
5) Any athlete who has ever competed as a member of Team USA (triathlon or duathlon) will automatically qualify.
 
6) All-American and honorable mention All-Americans from the 2008 USAT National Rankings automatically qualify.

7) You must be 18 years old by December 31, 2009.
 
Once qualification is met, athletes do not need to do anything special except indicate where they met qualification on the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship race registration form. There will be no other steps required. You will not receive a notification from USAT on your qualification as athletes are responsible for letting us know in which race they qualified when they register online.
 
USA Triathlon will do an audit of those who have met qualification shortly after the athlete registers online. If an athlete does not get a written request for more information within two weeks of registering online, the athlete can rest assured that the entry has been accepted. From there, the athlete's name will appear on the participant list.
 
So, it’s that simple. Have you met one of the qualifying standards? Then, what are you waiting for?

Register for USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals today.
 
Not yet qualified? You still have until August 16 to reach the standards.
 
We hope to see you in Tuscaloosa in August.