USA Triathlon's fourth annual National Triathlon Week, a nationwide initiative to celebrate the sport of triathlon and all its constituency groups and a largely social-media-based campaign to bring the multisport community together, runs from June 22-28. It challenges individuals not only to swim, bike and run, but also to share experiences, inspiring stories, advice and support. For the first time, National Triathlon Week will include a #TriWeek Virtual Challenge presented by TOWER 26, as well as a #TriWeek Triathlon Tournament to determine the best all-time moment in U.S. triathlon history.
The complete schedule, along with ideas for how to participate — some of which can take as little as five minutes — are available on the official landing page for National Triathlon Week: usatriathlon.org/triweek. Throughout the week, athletes are encouraged to get involved and celebrate the sport by posting on social media with the hashtag #TriWeek.
“Our multisport community needs to support each other more than ever after a challenging start to 2020,” said Chuck Menke, USA Triathlon Chief Marketing Officer. “The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from gathering at races like we normally would — but as a result, we have discovered new ways to stay connected with training partners near and far. We’re eager to bring athletes across the nation together to share stories and advice during National Triathlon Week, while celebrating all of the ways that multisport positively affects our lives.”
The emphasis of the week is on celebration, education and participation in the multisport lifestyle. A different theme will be featured every day:
Monday, June 22: Time to Tri Day
Tuesday, June 23: Olympic and Paralympic Day
Wednesday, June 24: Swim Day
Thursday, June 25: Bike Day
Friday, June 26: Run Day
Saturday, June 27: Race Day
Sunday, June 28: Community Appreciation Day
Video and editorial content will be shared on USA Triathlon’s website and social channels to coincide with each themed day. On Bike Day, Olympic and Paralympic fans can look forward to a video feature on the Toyota U.S. Paratriathlon Resident Team’s upcoming “Operation CO>COVID” Ride Across Colorado, a 24-hour cycling relay across the state that 10 athletes will set out to accomplish on June 19 to raise funds for COVID-19 relief.
During National Triathlon Week, USA Triathlon will also foster conversations in the multisport community about racism in sport, as well as the steps that the organization and the industry at large can take to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in triathlon. A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webinar is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, at 4 p.m. ET, and is open to the public. Individuals may register to attend by clicking here.
Individuals are invited to participate in #TriWeek in a variety of ways, from amateur and elite athletes sharing stories and photos on social media to certified coaches, officials and race directors offering their expertise. USA Triathlon will suggest training activities that fit each day’s theme, and USA Triathlon corporate partners will contribute videos sharing beginner-friendly triathlon training tips.
During National Triathlon Week in 2019, social posts about #TriWeek garnered more than 26.6 million impressions. Triathletes from across the country engaged on social media, including former MLB outfielder Eric Byrnes and U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
#TriWeek Virtual Challenge Presented by TOWER 26
The #TriWeek Virtual Challenge presented by TOWER 26 is a digital run-bike event with competitive and non-competitive divisions, supported by TrueForm and housed on the FitRankings platform. Participants are challenged to reach cumulative totals in the bike and run, with the competitive division earning recognition for completing various distances as they go and the non-competitive division working toward a 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run. Registration will open on Monday, June 15, with more details and a registration link to come. The competitive option is $50 to register, which includes a USA Triathlon annual membership, finisher’s medal and the opportunity to win prizes from USA Triathlon’s corporate partners — including a TrueForm Runner Trainer valued at $4,795. The noncompetitive division is free to enter, with an option to purchase a $50 finisher’s package and receive the same benefits.
Prize Giveaways
USA Triathlon’s corporate partners and other multisport brands will give away more than $7,500 in prizes — the highest in #TriWeek history — throughout the week. Participating brands include: 2XU, Amp Human, CURREX, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Hyperice, KT Tape, Newton Running, Pilates for Sports, ROKA, Rudy Project, Science in Sport, TOWER 26, TrainingPeaks, TrueForm and Wahoo Fitness. The marquee prize item is a TrueForm Runner Trainer valued at $4,795.
Prize packs will be awarded daily to select participants who share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #TriWeek and enter the competitive division of #TriWeek Virtual Challenge presented by TOWER 26.
Lifetime Membership Contest
Multisport athletes can enter to win a USA Triathlon Lifetime Membership by sharing how the sport has helped them overcome a personal challenge and access their power within. Submissions must either be emailed to communications@usatriathlon.org or shared on social media using the hashtags #TriWeek and #OurPowerWithin. Previous Lifetime Membership winners have included Sue Reynolds (Bloomington, Ind.), Stephanie Van Bebber (Fairfax, Va.) and Kyle Roberts (Aiken, S.C.).
#TriWeek Triathlon Tournament: Top All-Time U.S. Moments
Throughout the week, the multisport community will have the opportunity to vote on the top all-time moments in U.S. triathlon history in an online tournament challenge. A March Madness-style bracket will feature 40 iconic moments spanning the sport’s 56-year history, from the first-ever triathlon at San Diego’s Mission Bay in 1974 to Katie Zaferes’ 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series title. Voting will take place round-by-round and matchup-by-matchup on social media throughout the week, with the winning moment unveiled on #TriWeek’s Community Appreciation Day.
FAQs
Who can get involved?
Anyone can participate in National Triathlon Week! The week’s activities promote sharing of stories and training tips by current triathletes — making it an ideal opportunity for prospective triathletes to learn more about the multisport lifestyle. As part of a fully collaborative launch, USA Triathlon is working with its certified clubs, coaches and race directors, corporate partners, elite athletes, the USA Triathlon Foundation, and volunteer leadership structure (e.g., committees and councils), as well as industry partners such as IRONMAN, to play an active role. National Triathlon Week is a celebration of triathletes and paratriathletes of all ages, races and ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations.
Where does National Triathlon Week happen?
With an emphasis on social media, #TriWeek is primarily an online initiative. At the same time, National Triathlon Week will take place across the country as triathletes find new inspiration to swim, bike and run safely in their local communities.
How can I find out more?
Visit usatriathlon.org/triweek to learn more about National Triathlon Week. This online hub features a detailed explanation of all seven themed days, ideas on how to participate both online and in your community, frequently asked questions, contest information and more.
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 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors – as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation – 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 & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
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