Chicago to Host ITU World Triathlon Grand Final & World Championships

The best elite and age-group triathletes and paratriathletes from around the globe will compete for world championship titles and national pride from Sept. 15-19 during the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final & World Championships in Grant Park.

The schedule has been finalized to include 11 ITU World Championship races contested over four days, including the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships, a National Federation qualifier for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Paralympic Games, and the conclusion of the elite 2015 ITU World Triathlon Series. An open age-group sprint race will also be contested. Nearly 8,000 athletes are expected to cross the finish line on the iconic blue carpet at Grant Park's Buckingham Fountain.

Elite races contested in Chicago will feature multi-loop, spectator-friendly bike and run courses. Grandstand seating will be available near the finish line for the Grand Final races for the elite athletes, with races beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19. Tickets are required for grandstand seating and are on sale now at active.com.

The ITU Age-Group Standard (Olympic-Distance) World Championships course will see athletes competing on Chicago's most unique course, with two 20-kilometer bike loops to comprise the bike portion of the 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, 10-kilometer run course. Registration for the Age Group World Championships is now open, and athletes should contact their respective National Federation with questions regarding registration status.

Race week kicks off with the Tri-Festival Expo at Grant Park's Butler Field. The Tri-Festival will feature local Chicago restaurants, a beer garden with local craft brews, an abundance of spectator-friendly entertainment and event programming, as well as the Closing Ceremony. More than 50 vendors highlighting the latest in the endurance sport, health and fitness industries will also be on-hand to celebrate the world championship event. National teams may also rent space in the special Athlete Village area. This dedicated area will be open only to participating nations. Contact Masumi Yoneyama at myoneyama@largardere-unlimited.com for more information.

Special hotel discounts are still available at official hotels near Grant Park for out-of-town visitors. More information on hotel discounts, group reservations and details on securing individual rooms is available at chicago.triathlon.org/event_info/hotels. 

Visit chicago.triathlon.org for more information on the event.

2015 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final & World Championships Race Schedule
All times local Central Time

Tuesday, Sept. 15
Athlete Packet Pick-Up, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 16
ITU Aquathlon World Championships, 10 a.m.
Opening Ceremony, 5 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 17
ITU Under-23 Men's World Championships, 7 a.m.
ITU Age-Group Sprint World Championships, 10 a.m.
ITU Junior Men's World Championships, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 18
ITU Paratriathlon World Championships*, 7 a.m.
ITU Under-23 Women's World Championships, 11 a.m.
ITU Junior Women's World Championships, 2 p.m.
ITU World Triathlon Grand Final - Elite Women*, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19
PC Open Race (USA Triathlon Rules), 6:25 a.m.
Open Age-Group Sprint Race (Individual, Relay), 6:45 a.m.
ITU Open Paratriathlon World Championships, 9:10 a.m.
ITU Age-Group Standard (Olympic-Distance) World Championships, 9:25 a.m.
ITU World Triathlon Grand Final - Elite Men*, 5 p.m.
Closing Ceremony, 8 p.m.
*Designates potential Olympic or Paralympic qualifier for Rio 2016

 The City of Chicago joined the ITU World Triathlon Series in 2014 and will host the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and World Championships in September 2015. Chicago will welcome 150 of the world's top Olympic-distance triathletes as they compete for a world championship title less than a year prior to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games. In addition to the elite races, the event features top-flight sprint and Olympic-distance races for age-group athletes, paratriathletes, juniors and under-23s, as well as an aquathlon to kick off the action. In all, more than 8,000 of the world's best triathletes will compete for world titles over five days of competition. The ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and World Championships are hosted by USA Triathlon, the National Governing Body for the sport of triathlon in the United States, and Lagardère Unlimited. Launched in 2009, the ITU World Triathlon Series is televised in more than 160 countries. Visit chicago.triathlon.org for more information.