COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Triathlon today announced that the nation’s top run-bike-run athletes will compete in Greenville, South Carolina, from April 7-8 at the 2018 Duathlon National Championships.
Registration is now open for all three races, which include non-drafting Sprint and Standard-Distance National Championships as well as a Draft-Legal Sprint World Qualifier.
The event heads to Greenville for the first time in 2018, having been held in Bend, Oregon, for the past two years. Greenville, one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and boasts world-class museums, restaurants and theaters as well as abundant natural beauty.
Greenville was named one of “52 Places to Go in 2017” by the New York Times, and its revitalized downtown was ranked among “America’s Ten Best” by Forbes magazine.
“USA Triathlon selected Greenville not only for its stunning race venue, but also for the local attractions our athletes will enjoy throughout the weekend,” said Matt Reger, National Events Manager and Certified Race Director at USA Triathlon. “Duathlon Nationals continues to be a destination race for many of our competitors, and we are proud to partner with another spectacular host city.”
“VisitGreenvilleSC, in collaboration with Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism, is thrilled to be partnering with USA Triathlon to host their prestigious National Championships in Greenville, South Carolina, for the first time ever,” said Robin Wright, Senior Sports Sales Manager with VisitGreenvilleSC. “Greenville has a passionate running and cycling community that is eager to help make sure this event is outstanding. With a strong track record of sporting event successes, both athletes and spectators will find Greenville to be a pleasant surprise!”
“Greenville County has a great history of hosting major national and international sporting events, and I am confident that the world-class athletes, their families, fans and sponsors will enjoy our beautiful natural surroundings, dynamic urban centers, and most of all, the unmatched hospitality of our passionate community,” said Jeff Poole, Sports Tourism Manager with Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
Race weekend will kick off with the Draft-Legal Sprint World Qualifier on Saturday, April 7—a change from last year’s schedule, in which the world qualifier was held on Sunday. The course will cover a 5-kilometer run; 20-kilometer (approx.), draft-legal bike; and 2.5-kilometer run. While not a national championship event, the race qualifies top finishers in each age group to represent Team USA at the 2019 ITU Multisport World Championships Festival in Pontevedra, Spain.
The action continues Sunday with the non-drafting Sprint and Standard-Distance National Championships. The sprint championship covers a 5k run, non-drafting 20k bike and 2.5k run, while the standard race features a 10k run, non-drafting 40k bike and 5k run. Athletes can also qualify for Team USA for the 2019 ITU Multisport Festival by earning top finishes in the national championship races.
For additional details about qualifying for Team USA at Duathlon Nationals, click here. To learn more about Team USA, the select group of amateur multisport athletes who represent the U.S. at ITU World Championship events, visit usatriathlon.org/teamusa.
As in previous years, duathletes will have the opportunity to compete in all three races in Greenville if they so choose.
For more information about the 2018 USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships, visit the event page at usatriathlon.org. A complete schedule, course maps and other event details will be posted to the event page as they become available.
Dates, locations and registration details for the remainder of the 2018 Duathlon National Championships will be announced in the coming months.
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).