N OCTOBER, the International Triathlon Union announced that for the second time in history, triathlon’s birthplace, San Diego, would be part of
the World Triathlon Series, an eight-leg professional series featuring the world’s fastest draft-legal athletes and concurrent non-draft age group races. The announcement means that on April 18-20 age- groupers who last year missed out on the inaugural event, which attracted nearly 2,100 age-groupers from 41 states and several different countries, will get an- other chance to check out all the action. So if you are still undecided on whether you want to race San Diego, which is the only American city on the WTS tour, here are six reasons you should register today.
register for the sprint, Olympic, relay or aquabike races.
TO BOOK YOUR TICKET TO THE HISTORIC EVENT
1
THE VENUE
The race itself will take place in Mission Beach, just steps from Fiesta Island, where in 1974 the
world’s first triathletes spawned an endur- ance movement. Racers can retrace triathlon’s beginnings, run along the beach’s beautiful boardwalk, and then stroll through nearby Belmont Park, which features rides, games and the historic Giant Dipper, a roller coaster that was built in 1925. Triathletes who decide to make a vacation out of the weekend will then have the oppor- tunity to explore one of the world’s top tourist destinations and visit must-see spots including the Gaslamp District, Coronado, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, La Jolla, Palomar Mountain and the Wild Animal Park.
“San Diego is one of my favorite places to visit, race and train,” said Craig Pansing, who traveled two hours south from Pasadena, Calif., to race the WTS event last year. “The vibe of the beach towns are cool, the triathlon community is strong and it’s always nice to be outside.”
If you do decide to race the WTS event this
year, don’t forget to check in with the San Di- ego Tri Club, which frequently posts workouts that are open to all athletes.