Behind the Scenes
Behind the Scenes at USA Triathlon’s Age Group National Championship
By Lindsay Wyskowski
USA Triathlon went behind the scenes at the 2011 USA Triathlon Age Group and Sprint National Championships in Burlington, Vt., to give you a more comprehensive look at what it takes to put a national championship event together. This year’s event featured the largest field on record and also was host to a number of new events, including a sponsor summit, the Athlete of the Year Celebration and the Legends Foundation Dinner. Months of preparation culminate with one grand event, and from pre-race registration set-up to the finish line, USA Triathlon gives you a glimpse into what it takes to make it happen.
GOODIE BAGS
USA Triathlon staff and volunteers gathered on Wednesday night at the host hotel to fill athlete goodie bags before packet pick-up opened on Thursday. Approximately 2,600 bags were stuffed with product samples and commemorative gear, and athletes also received a code for their iGiftbag, an interactive link to sponsor discounts and coupons.
SET UP
With nearly 2,500 athletes competing in the Olympic-distance and sprint events, all athlete bibs were sorted into bins to speed up the packet pick-up process. Athletes received the swim cap that identified their wave, as well as their TriTats race numbers, which have replaced most of the body marking process that was previously employed at national championship events.
The 2011 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship not only featured a record field of athletes, but the largest expo USA Triathlon has ever hosted at one of its national championships. More than 30 different companies took part in the expo held in conjunction with packet pick-up, representing USA Triathlon’s four partner levels — Gold, Silver, Bronze and supplier. Twenty companies were represented at the venue on race day.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR CRUISE
USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach helps welcome honorees and guests at the first-ever Athlete of the Year Celebration. Organized by the Age Group Committee, the celebration consisted of a dinner cruise to honor the 2010 Athletes of the Year.
STAFF MEETING
After a long day of preparation, USA Triathlon staff and other key coordinators, including folks from Run Vermont, met to go over last-minute details and answer questions relating to packet pick- up, swim warm-ups and bike check-in. Radios are distributed and the event schedule is reviewed.
62 USA TRIATHLON FALL 2011
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