Grand Rapids Triathlon Hosts Clydesdale and Athena Nationals on Sunday

USA Triathlon's 2015 National Championships slate continues this Sunday in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the USA Triathlon Clydesdale and Athena National Championships set to be contested in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Triathlon along the Thornapple River.

More than 150 athletes from 26 states and Washington, D.C., are on the start list for three triathlon distances within the National Championship event. Athletes will compete for national titles on a sprint 600-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run course, an Olympic-distance 1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run course, or a long-course distance consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. Races on Sunday begin at 7 a.m. ET.

Clydesdale and Athena competitive divisions are based on weight minimums outlined in the USA Triathlon Competitive Rules. Athletes competing in the Clydesdale division must be a minimum of 220 pounds and athletes in the Athena division must be a minimum of 165 pounds. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in three age categories per gender at the event: 39 and under (Clydesdale and Athena), 40-54 (Athena), 40-59 (Clydesdale), 55+ (Athena) and 60+ (Clydesdale). The Clydesdale and Athena National Championships were designated as an independent National Championship event in 2014, becoming the 14th event to award national titles to age-group athletes at a variety of disciplines and distances.

Six defending champions will swim, bike, run on Sunday in hopes of clinching another title:

Lance Fargo (Ocean View, Del.), overall male winner and Clydesdale 40-59 champion, sprint- and Olympic-distances
John Friedl (Moore, Okla.), Clydesdale 39 & Under, Olympic-distance
Shawna Glasser (Henderson, Nev.), Athena 39 & Under, sprint-distance
Chris Hittner (Kansas City, Mo.), Clydesdale 39 & Under, sprint-distance
Diane Morrow-Kondos (Tulsa, Okla.), Athena 55+, sprint-distance
CC Rowe (Austin, Texas), Athena 39 & Under, Olympic-distance

Fargo, Friedl and Morrow-Kondos will compete in the Olympic-distance event this weekend, while Rowe and Hittner take on the sprint course and Glassner tackles the long-course triathlon.

More information about Clydesdale and Athena Nationals can be found at www.grandrapidstri.com. 

About USA Triathlon: USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with nearly 500,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).