This section is geared toward the racing and training needs of USAT Clubs across the nation. Check back here for useful training tips, upcoming regional championship events, and information and results from USAT Club Nationals.
National Challenge Competition
The National Challenge Competition (NCC) is designed to get triathletes excited about off-season training at the club level. Tri Clubs across the country go head-to-head to see who can log the most training miles during the competition.
The NCC will feature three sessions, each one month in duration, from December to February. Clubs will record their training miles and submit them on NCC site for automatic calculation and ranking.
All sessions will include swim, bike, and run, but one sport will be highlighted for each session. The winning club for each session is determined by the greatest number of miles logged during that session. There are also prizes for the first club to reach the benchmark mileage for each session.
Visit the National Challenge Competition site for more information and to register.
Timelines
| November 1, 2007 |
Registration Opens |
| December 1, 2007 |
1st session begins- swim benchmark |
| December 31, 2007 |
1st session ends |
| January 1, 2008 |
2nd session begins- bike benchmark |
| January 31, 2008 |
2nd session ends |
| February 1, 2008 |
3rd session begins- run benchmark |
| February 28, 2008 |
3rd session ends |
| March 1, 2008 |
NCC wrap up |
Benchmarks
The first priority for each club is to meet the benchmark for that month. The first club to reach the benchmark will win a prize from our sponsors.
| December 2007 |
Swim |
500 miles |
| January 2008 |
Bike |
5000 miles |
| February 2008 |
Run |
2500 miles |
Participants should log all swimming, biking and running miles during all sessions. All miles are added up for the overall combined mileage. Only swimming miles in December count towards the benchmark for December.
Team Size
Clubs with more than 75 participants will be broken into A, B and C teams to even the playing field. Teams will have no more than 75 participants each. For the bigger clubs, this can help with strategy and friendly competition.
Time Zone
The time zone is determined by your club location.
Awards
Individual awards will be given to the top performing individual regardless if they are in a club or competing on their own.
Award Breakdown
December
1st club to reach swim benchmark
Overall combined club mileage
2nd Overall combined club mileage
3rd Overall combined club mileage
Overall individual mileage
January
1st club to reach bike benchmark
Overall combined club mileage
2nd Overall combined club mileage
3rd Overall combined club mileage
Overall individual mileage
February
1st club to reach run benchmark
Overall combined club mileage
2nd Overall combined club mileage
3rd Overall combined club mileage
Overall individual mileage
OVERALL
Overall combined club mileage
2nd Overall combined club mileage
3rd Overall combined club mileage
Overall individual mileage
BONUS
Any club that wins the "1st club to reach benchmark" for all three sessions wins bonus prize.
National Challenge Competition Site
Coaching Tip of the Month
July 2007
Transitions should be viewed as a seamless part of your complete triathlon, not an isolated entity. Use the following tips and watch the seconds (or for some, minutes) melt away.
1. Less is more: Bring only what you will need into the transition area. Too much equipment just adds clutter and can be a hazard to you and your competitors.
2. Have a plan: Know in which order you will put on equipment. Work on a mantra: "Shoes, helmet, glasses, number belt, go!"
3. Be quick, but don't hurry: Be calm and purposeful in your movements. Rushing around will just cause you to fumble with your equipment or worse, to forget something.
4. Expect the unexpected: If something goes wrong (e.g., a piece of equipment is not where you put it or a tire is flat), don't let a "roadblock" derail your race. Have a plan for these situations, take care of them calmly and keep on racing.
5. Mind your manners: Transition areas are often very tight, so keep your equipment in your area and try not to take up too much space.
6. X marks the spot: Use a brightly colored towel to place your equipment on and note landmarks that will help you locate your spot.
7. Make a mental map: Walk through the transition area several times to familiarize yourself with the flow of the area.
8. Practice makes perfect: Practice transitions prior to race day. Work on wetsuit peeling, running with your bike, mounts, dismounts and changing equipment.
Submitted by Tom Manzi. Tom is a USAT Level II Certified Coach who has been coaching with Joe Friel's Ultrafit Associates since 1997. You can contact Tom at tmanzi@ultrafit.com.
Club National Championship
USA Triathlon National Club Championship Eligibility
Competing at the National Club Championships is a great achievement for all clubs and athletes associated with USA Triathlon!
To ensure the most accurate scoring methods and fair play, USA Triathlon has established the following factors for eligibility at the National Club Championships.
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All clubs must be registered with USA Triathlon at minimum one (1) month prior to the date of the race.
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All clubs must be current on the day of the race.
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Current rosters must be submitted to the USA Triathlon national office on or before 30 days prior to the event.
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Clubs should send complete rosters, not just with competing athletes, for the most accurate scoring.
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All eligible athletes must be on the club roster at minimum 30 days prior to the date of the race. A roster will be sent to the race director and timer exactly 30 days prior to the event.
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Club rosters must be sent electronically using the USAT Roster Template in order for the club to be eligible.
Club Divisions
Clubs will compete in one of five divisions at the USA Triathlon National Club Championships.
The division breakdown is as follows:
Division I: >250
Division II: 249-130
Division III: 129-80
Division IV: 79-30
Division V: 29-2
Club Nationals Scoring Criteria