FLORIDA
On April 29, the Florida Region will hold its Regional Championship at the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Fla. Both the race and the expo take place along the city’s beautiful waterfront. The race directors and volunteers always create an organized and enjoyable event, making it one of the most popular triathlons in the nation.
On May 12 the region’s Special Qualifier will be in held conjunction with the FIT Triathlon. Held in Siesta Key, this race is known for its beautiful, challenging course. Since qualifications roll down to the top 33 percent of each age group, athletes racing in the Regional Championship and Special Qualifier will have a greater opportunity to qualify for the Olympic-Distance National Championship in Burlington, Vt.
On June 16, the Regional Youth Championship will take place along with the Heartland Triathlon. This race gives younger athletes an opportunity to compete while gaining an increased appreciation of the sport. The region’s Paratriathlon Championship will be held on July 21 in conjunction with the Jacksonville Triathlon Series No. 2. Lastly, the region will host its first-ever Regional Club Championship on October 14 at the Seven Springs Rotary Club Long Leaf Triathlon.
MID-ATLANTIC
The USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic Region has a several exciting efforts planned for 2012. We are focusing our efforts in expanding the sport in the collegiate, youth, and paratriathlon areas. Triathlon is becoming a popular sport on college campuses. Many colleges and universities in the Mid-Atlantic Region have formed triathlon teams with the largest team in the conference being Duke University with 65 members. Coaches are volunteering their time in the form of triathlon clinics and workout schedules to get their teams ready for the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Triathlon Conference (MACTC). The following schools are participating in the MACTC: Duke, Virginia Tech, United States Naval Academy, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, William and Mary, George Mason, North Carolina, UNC-Wilmington, Georgetown, Virginia Military Institute, Liberty and Richmond. Good luck to all those competing!
Triathlon’s fastest-growing group in the country is 7-14-year-olds. The members of the USATMA Council are making an effort to spread the word about youth triathlons by distributing informational guides to race production companies and the athlete community. We hope that with this effort, today’s youth and their parents can gain key info and support about what it is to engage in a healthy lifestyle through the sport of triathlon and duathlon and thus develop into tomorrow’s healthier and more fit adults, which can and will further contribute to a more active lifestyle. Be on the lookout for youth events, races and workshops in an area near you.
The Mid-Atlantic Region is also making an effort to build a supportive community between paratriathletes in the region. The Mid-Atlantic Region Paratriathlon committee has been hosting workshops, seminars, workouts and the like for physically challenged athletes. Visit
https://www.facebook.com/pages/USA-TriathlonParatriathlon-Mid-Atlantic-Region/127906907321782 for more information.
SOUTHEAST
Spring has arrived and so has the unveiling of the Southeast Region’s Youth & Junior Initiative (YJI). The YJI comes from a study last year that showed while participation in triathlon generally had moved upward, the total USA Triathlon annual memberships for Youth (15 & under) was at 22 percent, and only 3 percent for Juniors (16-19). The reasons for the decline in participation are numerous and varied. Hopefully, the YJI can assist to reverse this trend through these offerings:
Addition of events: Region council members will work closely with race directors to add modified races to established events. Emphasis will be on participation so kids can come at any fitness level. Events such as super-sprint distances, a splash & dash and duathlons along with development of other events and distances will help bridge the gap between kids’ races and sprint-distance events.
Education and outreach: Age-appropriate clinics, a presence at school sports symposiums and outreaches by coaches, clubs and junior members can: a) demystify triathlon for both parents and kids, b) provide an understanding of training recommendations to complete an event and c) help appropriately select from among the variety of events and distances available.
Regional youth/junior race series: The development of a SE Regional Youth & Junior Series of super-sprint distance events will provide both distinct participatory and competitive levels. There will be the presence of a fun forum for athletes moving up from kids’ races as a more achievable alternative to sprint distance events. Some successful existing super sprint events will be considered for the series as well as new super sprints to be added within existing races.
These new initiatives fill a need not just for youth and junior athletes, but provide a welcoming outlet for athletes of all ages and abilities.
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