With the aim to elevate duathlon in the United States, USA Triathlon (USAT), and the International POWERMAN Association have partnered to present top-level run-bike-run events through 2017.
POWERMAN, a global duathlon race organization, specializes in long-distance duathlon events, including its signature POWERMAN Zofingen, which features a 10K run, 150K bike and 30K run and has been held annually since 1989.
POWERMAN has increased exposure of duathlon worldwide by hosting events in 14 countries, including Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and Austria.
Through the agreement, USA Triathlon will sanction all US-based POWERMAN events, including five events that will be part of the 2015 USA Triathlon Duathlon Race Series. The organizations, both considered multisport leaders for the promotion of duathlon, will also benefit from a number of marketing components through the partnership.
USA Triathlon annual members will be eligible for a 20% discount at all US POWERMAN events in 2015, with collegiate and military athletes receiving a 50% discount. Annual members can access the discount codes at usatriathlon.org/duseries.
Additionally, select POWERMAN events will qualify athletes for Team USA, comprised of the nation’s top multisport amateur athletes who represent the US at each ITU World Championships event. For example, the top finishers in their respective age groups at POWERMAN Wisconsin on 7 June will qualify for POWERMAN Zofingen on 6 September in Zofingen, Switzerland, which doubles as the 2015 ITU Long Course Duathlon World Championships.
“POWERMAN is excited to create this partnership with USA Triathlon to continue the rebirth of duathlon in North America. This sport is crucial to the development of multisport and is the perfect blend for those seeking to make the step from just running or biking, without the swimming discipline,” said Kenny Krell, POWERMAN North America’s National Event Director.
He continued, “This partnership will help grow the sport and bring first-class duathlon events coast to coast in the United States, with the added incentive to qualify for the POWERMAN National and World Championships each year.”
The 2015 USA Triathlon Duathlon Race Series kicks off Sunday 22 February, with POWERMAN Arizona in Fountain Hills, Arizona. The series features 16 events, with at least one event in each of USA Triathlon’s 10 regions, and concludes with the POWERMAN North America National Championship on 13 December. The series also includes the 2015 USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships, set for 6 June in St Paul, Minnesota.
Each event is sanctioned by USA Triathlon and will count toward the popular end-of-year Duathlon National Rankings for USA Triathlon annual members. Awards will be given to the top-three finishers in each age group at the conclusion of the series. Athletes must complete at least two events to be eligible for a series score.
2015 USA Triathlon Duathlon Race Series
Feb 22: POWERMAN Arizona, Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Mar 1: Desert Classic Du, Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Mar 28: Whistlestop Duathlon, Irondale, Ala.
Apr 26: Mt. Rainier Du, Enumclaw, Wash.
May 16: Cary Duathlon, Cary, N.C.
May 17: Shamrock Duathlon, Glastonbury, Conn.
May 23: Sartell Apple Duathlon, Sartell, Minn.
Jun 6: USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships, St. Paul, Minn.
Jun 7: POWERMAN Wisconsin, Kenosha, Wis.*
Aug 2: Tri Indy Duathlon, Indianapolis, Ind.
Aug 29: Boulder Sunset, Boulder, Colo.
Sep 27: POWERMAN Michigan, Frankenmuth, Mich.
Oct 18: Fall Classic Duathlon, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Oct 18: Longboat Key Duathlon, Longboat Key, Fla.
Nov 22: POWERMAN Alabama, Foley, Ala.
Dec 13: POWERMAN North America National Championship, Cocoa Beach, Fla.**
*Qualifies top finishers for Team USA and the 2015 ITU Long Course Duathlon World Championships
**Qualifies top finishers for Team USA and the 2016 ITU Long Course Duathlon World Championships
www.usatriathlon.org/duseries
www.powerman.org
