USA Triathlon (USAT) has announced its ‘Race Local, Compete Nationally’ initiative presented by TriBike Transport. This provides USAT race directors with resources, payment flexibility and promotional support as in-person racing returns to the calendar.
The ‘Race Local, Compete Nationally’ initiative is designed to assist race directors in driving registration, ‘while providing athletes the clarity and confidence they need around COVID-19 safety at multisport events.’
USA Triathlon members will be encouraged to race locally and at the grassroots level, as well as participating in a 2021 USA Triathlon State, Regional or National Championship or a race with a nationally competitive field.
- The initiative includes a new COVID-19 Safety Certification, which grants ‘Certified Safe Event’ status to USA Triathlon-sanctioned events that follow USA Triathlon’s Safe Return to Multisport guidelines in accordance with local government mandates.
- Race directors who finalize the sanctioning process by the end of this year can receive a refund from USA Triathlon on any sanctioning fees for races required to cancel in 2021 due to local COVID-19 restrictions.
- Additionally, races will be publicized through all of USA Triathlon’s marketing channels ‘with over US$100,000 applied to promoting the 2021 sanctioned race calendar.’
“The COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting impact on races nationwide, has put a massive strain on the race director community in 2020,” said Tim Yount, USA Triathlon Chief Sport Development Officer.
“Race directors are now charged with learning how to host safe events in a new era, while earning the confidence and buy-in of athletes and local authorities. As the sport’s national governing body, we are proud to offer resources and flexibility so that our race directors can not only rebound financially, but also continue to host safe, responsible and enjoyable events for the USA Triathlon family for years to come.”
Marc Lauzon, Owner of TriBike Transport, said “In this time of great uncertainty, we applaud USA Triathlon for stepping up to lend a hand to the lifeblood of our sport, our race directors.
“We are just as anxious and ready to start heading to races as all of our athletes are, and we are thankful for the opportunity to join USA Triathlon in supporting our race directors. This fantastic program will allow us to get back to enjoying the sport we are all so passionate about, and to do it safely.”
COVID-19 safety certification
The new ‘Certified Safe Event’ designation will be awarded to races that commit to implementing the best practices outlined in USA Triathlon’s Safe Return to Multisport initiative.
USA Triathlon will provide qualified races with a ‘Safe Certified Event’ logo and certification language; a custom letter to local authorities and government agencies explaining the certification; and personalized support where necessary to ensure events can take place.
Payment relief
USA Triathlon will offer payment relief to race directors by refunding sanctioning fees for any 2021 event that is cancelled due to local COVID-19 restrictions; waiving late fees for sanctioning payments through the end of 2021; and offering flexible payment options including payment plans, deferred payments and other solutions for race directors facing financial difficulties.
Race promotion
Race directors will be invited to advertise their events through various USA Triathlon national marketing initiatives. These include ‘Black Friday TRIDay’, ‘Treat Yourself’, #DreamingSeason and National Triathlon Week.
Digital and social media-based campaigns – along with regular communications throughout 2021 – will promote events to triathletes across the United States through national, regional and geo-targeted outreach while keeping USA Triathlon members informed about special discounts and flash sales.
USA Triathlon members who register for events as part of the Treat Yourself and #DreamingSeason initiatives will also have the chance to win a gift card from TriBike Transport.
USA Triathlon will apply more than US$100,000 to social media, email marketing and search engine marketing to promote its sanctioned events calendar and encourage early race registration in 2021. Additionally, the organization will publish a new monthly content series on usatriathlon.org that highlights local and grassroots events across the country.
Community resource sharing
USA Triathlon adds that it will forge connections throughout the race director community to encourage more consistent and relevant sharing of information, resources, best practices and lessons learned.
Opportunities may include town halls and race director panels, as well as conference calls and one-on-one meetings with race directors who have successfully hosted in-person events with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Race directors interested in sharing their experiences and expertise in any of these forums may reach out to the USA Triathlon Event Services team via eventservices[at]usatriathlon.org.
USA Triathlon race directors will receive additional information about ‘Race Local, Compete Nationally’, and how to access resources and promotional opportunities via email.
www.usatriathlon.org
www.TriBikeTransport.com
