Posted: August 30, 2004

Triathlon: Mardi Gras Move to Shreveport

The 2004 USA Triathlon National Age Group Championship will have a Mardi Gras atmosphere. And why not? Crowning USA Triathlon's national champions is something to celebrate. Age groupers from across the nation will gather Sept.18 in Shreveport, La., to claim their stakes as national champions.

What's New for 2004 USAT National Age Group Championship - Presented by TriGenix Nutritional System

There is a new race venue: Stoner Boat Launch Park

With the national championship returning to Shreveport, what can athletes expect from the new race venue?

"This race venue is so different from last year's that the two can hardly be compared," said race director Bill Burke.

"I like the changes to the swim, transition and run course and I think competitors will like them as well. The swim course will offer competitors the opportunity to compete in a deeper body of water then the 2003 site and will be a point-to-point course. The transition area will be a huge change from 2003. It will take place in the parking lot of the Stoner Boat Launch Park. This park and its parking lots are laid out perfect for this type of event."

There is a new swim course: Red River with a point-to-point swim

What can athletes expect from the new swim course at the Red River? How does it compare to last year's swim course at Champion Lake?

"It's a much deeper body of water to begin with, so that in itself is a great start," Burke said. "The swim course will take competitors along the shoreline of the Red River in water that is 6 to 15 feet deep. The course will start 1,500 meters north of the Stoner Boat Launch and head south to finish at the newly constructed boat launch."

Other exciting developments

NEW race director - Premier Event Management - Produced two Olympic Trial races in 2004
NEW race T-shirts - Dry Release Shirts
Finisher Medals to every athlete across the finish line capturing the Mardi Gras theme.
Prize purse up for grabs! Top age groupers will compete for a prize purse of $4,999 and an additional $5,000 in prizes.
Pasta party hosted by the famous Monjuni's Italian Café. Special speaker provided by TriGenix to discuss the importance of nutrition in your training, including pre-race and post-race nutrition.
"Taste of the South" - Awards dinner Saturday night, Mardi Gras in September. Get a Taste of the South as USA Triathlon crowns its national champions.
Post-race party sponsored by TriGenix - live music, festive atmosphere, and of course, the appropriate beverages for a celebration! What will you do for beads?
World's Qualifier Honolulu, Hawaii - Top six in each age group qualify for Team USA
Clydesdales & Athenas - The top five in each category will qualify for the Team Clydesdale World Games, to be held August 2005 in Chicago.
It's not too late to register for the race. So make sure you are in Shreveport on Sept. 18 to experience a great race environment, a fast new course, and a Carnival atmosphere that you won't experience anywhere else.

Make sure to register online at www.usatriathlon.org or www.active.com before the registration fee goes up $10 on Sept. 1.