USA Triathlon has announced the launch of its inaugural WIN: Women’s Initiative, a series of 18 events across the country designed to drive participation by women who are new to multisport.
The events will be organized by 11 race directors, each of whom submitted proposals and were chosen by a selection committee from a pool of candidates. The winning events include a combination of women’s-only triathlons and duathlons, women’s-only waves within existing races, instructional clinics and social gatherings.
Each event selected for the WIN program offers some form of training or instructional session in addition to a celebratory post-event social activity. The goal is to provide low-cost, community-driven events to expose, and continue to involve, female participants of all ages in the multisport lifestyle.
The WIN program builds upon USA Triathlon’s long tradition of promoting women in multisport, including the formation of a Women’s Committee in 2010 and attaining triathlon’s status as an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women. It is part of a larger strategic initiative at USA Triathlon to grow the number of female triathletes in the United States. Currently women make up 38 percent of USA Triathlon’s total annual membership base. Youth participants are more evenly split, with girls making up just under half of USA Triathlon’s youth members at 46 percent.
“The focus of USA Triathlon’s WIN Program is on participation, not competition,” said USA Triathlon Event Services Manager Terri Walters. “By offering more races and clinics geared specifically towards women, we hope to encourage camaraderie and remove the intimidation factor that may keep some women from participating in multisport.”
“We are thrilled to be selected as part of the WIN Program, and we look forward to introducing more women to multisport through the Mighty Moraine Man Series and our Women in Multisport events and clinics,” said Joella Baker, a USA Triathlon Certified Race Director based in the Pittsburgh area. “USA Triathlon’s efforts to grow female participation are admirable, and we are proud to be involved.”
WIN Program race directors receive a stipend, promotional support on USA Triathlon’s social media channels, and WIN-branded event materials including a banner and finisher medals.
2017 WIN Program Events
New Events
July 1: Women’s Do a Duathlon (Spokane, Wash.)
Race Director: Christina Reddick
Oct 21: Women’s Only Try a Triathlon (Hallandale Beach, Fla.)
Race Director: Christina Reddick
Existing Events
June 4: Omaha Women’s Triathlon (Omaha, Neb.)
Race Director: Brad Hilderbrandt
June 25: Tri Goddess Tri (Grass Lake, Mich.)
Race Director: Eva Solomon
July 16: Montana Women’s Triathlon (Helena, Mont.)
Race Director: Ann Gilbert
July 29: WIN for KC Women’s Triathlon and Duathlon (Smithville, Mo.)
Race Director: Stephanie Lankford
Women’s Only Waves
June 3: Island Lake Triathlon (Brighton, Mich.)
Race Director: Eva Solomon
July 22: Mighty Moraine Man Series (Portersville, Pa.)
Race Director: Joella Baker
Aug. 13: Tri Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Race Director: Penni Bengtson
Aug. 27: Ohio Super Sprint Triathlon Challenge (Lewis Center, Ohio)
Race Director: Craig Thompson
Sept. 9: Hocking Hills Triathlon (Logan, Ohio)
Race Director: Tim Tyler
Clinics (Dates TBD):
Tough Cookies FREE Tri Clinic Series (Austin, Tex.)
Race Director: Tzatzil LeMair
Triathlon Drills and Skills (Location TBD, Nebraska)
Race Director: Brad Hildebrandt
Intro to Triathlon and OWS Clinics (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Race Director: Penni Bengtson
Women in Multisport Events and Clinics (Harmony, Pa., and Portersville, Pa.)
Race Director: Joella Baker
Social Events:
June 2: Tri Night Out (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Race Director: Penni Bengtson
Date TBD: Girls Night Out (Location TBD)
Race Director: Ann Gilbert
Dates TBD: Summer Tri Nights Out (Salem, Mass., and Reading, Mass.)
Race Director: Susan Sotir
Additional details regarding event dates, registration openings and more will be published on usatriathlon.org as they become available. For more information about the USA Triathlon WIN Program, including opportunities to host future WIN events, contact Terri Walters at terri.walters@usatriathlon.org.
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).
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