The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has confirmed the first ever stateside PTO Tour event, The PTO US Open, in partnership with USA Triathlon, the Dallas Sports Commission and the City of Irving. The US event is set to take place on 17-18 September in Las Colinas-Irving, Texas.
The inaugural PTO US Open is the third race of the PTO Tour which also consists of the PTO Canadian Open, and the Collins Cup. Other events include the PTO Asian Open and the PTO European Open. The US stage of the PTO Tour will see some of the world’s best non-drafting professional male and female triathletes competing in Irving, Texas, for a prize purse of US$1,000,000.
The professional men’s race and women’s race, are each a 100km distance, which comprises a 2km swim, 80km bike leg and a 18km run. The PTO US Open will also introduce age group racing over both the 100km and 25km distance, as well as a relay option, giving amateurs the opportunity to meet and race alongside the PTO professionals in the centrally located Las Colinas-Irving district, a short distance from downtown Dallas.
The race venue at Levy Event Plaza, a 10-minute drive from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, opened in 2020 in the city’s Las Colinas Urban Center along Lake Carolyn as a dedicated outdoor hub for Irving community events.
Athletes will swim in Lake Carolyn; and the bike and run courses will take athletes on rolling hills through the main thoroughfares of Irving, including Las Colinas Boulevard, Lake Carolyn Parkway and Royal Lane.
A release from PTO noted that… ‘USA Triathlon will support the inaugural PTO US Open given their experience of delivering world-class events, including the annual Toyota Age Group National Championships, which welcomed more than 6,000 participants in August 2021.’
The city of Irving has also partnered with USA Triathlon this year to host the Multisport National Championships Festival presented by Toyota, a four-day event featuring six national championship events.
The PTO US Open will have a TV production broadcast, live to a global audience, and shoulder programming showcasing the stories of the PTO Professionals including USA stars Taylor Knibb and Sam Long.
Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, said “We are delighted to partner with USA Triathlon, the Dallas Sports Commission and the City of Irving. Situated just 10 minutes from the major international travel hub of DFW airport, with a huge array of local hotels and accomodation, Las Colinas-Irving is sure to become a destination to remember on every triathletes’ calendar.
“Triathlon fans are often used to trekking to rural and remote communities to race. We’re thrilled to be able to deliver the PTO US Open in such an accessible and well connected location, furthering our goal of showcasing the tremendous talents of our professionals to a global audience.”
Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO, said “USA Triathlon is proud to support opportunities that allow professional triathletes to compete and showcase their talents in the United States.
“These major events are important for our country as we continue to develop fans of our sport and grow our community. Both the PTO and the city of Irving have been great partners over the years and we look forward to our continued relationship.”
Rick Stopfer, Mayor of the City of Irving, added “As host to a wide range of amateur and professional sporting events over the years, Irving knows sports.
“We are also experts in hospitality, and as one of the most diverse communities in the country, we also know quite well how to welcome the world to our home. It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected as the host site for the PTO US Open in 2022, and we look forward to rolling out the red carpet for a first-class experience this September and for years to come.”
Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission said “The Dallas Sports Commission is proud to play a part in bringing the PTO US Open to North Texas. We are proud of the diverse sporting events that call Dallas home and support the growth of sporting events like the PTO Tour in the US.
“We’re delighted that we get the opportunity to host the USA Open this September and can’t wait to help launch the triathletes on a global stage.”
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