USA Triathlon Announces Inaugural Clydesdale and Athena Nationals

USA Triathlon today announced the date and location of the 2014 USA Triathlon Clydesdale and Athena National Championships, held as a standalone National Championship event for the first time.

Traditionally contested as competitive divisions at the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships, this year's Clydesdale and Athena Nationals will be held in conjunction with the Tri Arkansas International Distance Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 16 in DeGray Lake, Ark. Athletes vying for national titles will complete a 1,500-meter swim, 39-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run centered at DeGray Lake.

Additionally, the DeGrey Lake Sprint Triathlon, held at the same venue on Sunday, Aug. 17, will serve as the 2014 USA Triathlon Clydesdale and Athena Sprint National Championships, featuring a 500-yard swim, 16-mile bike and 3.5-mile run.

More information about the event can be found at usatriathlon.org/usatca14.

The 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 at the event, including Masters and Grand Masters.

"These competitors are passionate about the sport and about their competitive division, and we felt it was time to recognize that with a standalone National Championship event," said Tim Yount, USA Triathlon Chief Operating Officer. "We have seen an influx of participants in these divisions in recent years and with national titles on the line at two race distances, we expect that we will see this area continue to grow."

"DeGray has hosted a number of National Championship events for USA Triathlon since the early 2000s, and we are honored to host the newest USA Triathlon National Championship for Clydesdale and Athena divisions," said Fred Phillips, Race Director of the DeGray Lake Triathlon and owner of DLT events and Tri Dallas Events.

To register, visit dltevents.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).