Arizona State to Host USA Triathlon Championship Event

The 2019 USA Triathlon Draft-Legal National Championships will be hosted by Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, on November 16 as part of a day that will also include the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships.

The race will include a multi-lap course at Tempe Town Lake with a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and 5-kilometer run. In the draft-legal format, competitors are encouraged to ride in packs and work together, a format that is growing in popularity on the age-group level and is similar to what is contested in elite international triathlon events and the Olympics.

“USA Triathlon is proud to bring another championship event to Tempe Town Lake,” said Brian D’Amico, director of events at USA Triathlon. “We are grateful for the consistent support of Arizona State University and the city of Tempe, which has enabled us to create exceptional race atmospheres in Tempe year after year. As a bonus, hosting Draft-Legal Nationals in conjunction with the Women’s Collegiate National Championships will increase exposure and fan engagement for the women’s NCAA triathlon movement, while bringing together different subsets of the multisport community.”

Tempe has hosted the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships in 2013, 2014, 2019 and next year as well. Tempe also hosted the USA Paratriathlon National Championships in 2014 and the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships has been held there annually since 2017.

“Our intent and mission from the very beginning of hosting the Women’s Collegiate National Championships was to deliver a top-notch event that we would grow to be able to host other major competitions as well, such as the USA Triathlon Draft-Legal National Championships,” said Cliff English, head coach of the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State. “ASU and the cities of Phoenix and Tempe have always been passionate about triathlon and growing the sport, and we feel with these events we are certainly doing so. Whether you are competing or just coming out to watch, this will be a great day of triathlon racing.”

At Draft-Legal Nationals, athletes will compete for titles in their respective age groups and the chance to represent the United States at the 2020 ITU Sprint Triathlon World Championships in Edmonton, Canada. The 2018 Draft-Legal event was held in the Sarasota-Bradenton area in Florida.