Posted: October 8, 2005

Triathlon: Age Groupers Parade, Prepare for Worlds

HONOLULU, Hawaii (Oct. 7, 2005) -- "Aloha Spirit," as the Hawaiians like to call it, flowed through the air on Thursday at the parade and opening ceremonies for the 2005 International Triathlon Union (ITU) JAL World Triathlon Championships in Waikiki.

Almost 2,000 athletes from around the world are registered for the race and many of them lined Waikiki's busy Kalakaua Avenue (traffic was stopped) for the march from the famous Duke Kahanamoku Statue into Kapiolani Park for the Opening Ceremonies. Hawaiian drums greeted the athletes as they entered the park.

"I've never been a part of anything like this," one U.S. age grouper was heard to say as he marveled at the crowds lining the street. Athletes from other countries and tourists would run up to have their pictures taken with members of Team USA.

The United States has by far the largest team in the competition, with more than 600 athletes. The large team size is the result of USA Triathlon having to cancel its Age Group National Championships in August in Kansas City, Mo., due to weather.

Anyone who picked up a packet at registration in Kansas City was allowed to register for the world championships. Another group of athletes qualified for the race at the 2004 Age Group National Championships in Shreveport, La.

Previous age group world champions automatically qualify for Team USA.

Of the athletes who registered from Kansas City, only those who finish among the top 10 Americans will be considered an official member of Team USA. However, if a qualifier from Shreveport finishes in the top 10, then the KC competitors will roll down. No U.S. competitors who finish outside of the top 18 Americans in their age groups will have their times recorded.

"Having such a large team has been a challenge," said Team USA manager Troy Stiles. "But the reward will come on Sunday when everyone gets to race against the world's best."

Among those competing will be 13 U.S. physically challenged athletes, making up almost half of the field.

"We are really excited," said Jon Beeson, who heads USAT's PC Commission and is also competing on Sunday. "This is a great group."

The race course will consist of a 1.5k, two-loop swim that starts and ends on Queens Beach, a 40k, one-lap, hilly bike around Diamond Head and a 10k, two-loop run around Kapiolani Park.

The race will begin at 6:15 a.m. with the wave for physically challenged athletes. The final waves, men 18-19 and 20-24 and women 18-19 and 20-24, will take off at 9:05 and 9:10 a.m.

Post race, ITU Online Services will produce a special Tricast™ so that every athlete can watch him or herself cross the finish line at the world championships. This Tricast™ will be available within one week of the race at www.triathlon.org.

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