National Championship FAQ

What is the USAT age group rule that athletes must follow?
All age group athletes must participate and compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete’s age on December 31 of the year of the event.

How do I become an annual member of USA Triathlon?
Click here to become an annual member of USA Triathlon.

How do I qualify for Team USA?
Team USA webpage

What are the age groups at Nationals?
Age divisions are broken down into the following: 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+.

National Age Group Championship
August 22, 2009
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Age Group Nationals webpage

How do I qualify for the National Age Group Championship?
Complete qualification and event information.

What distances can an athlete compete in to qualify for the National Age Group Championship?
Qualifying distances include: Intermediate/Olympic, Sprint, Long Distance Triathlon or Duathlon and Short Distance Duathlon. You may qualify in any of these specified distances; however, each athlete will compete in the intermediate distance at the National Age Group Championship.

What races in my area can be used as National Championship qualifiers?
Any USAT sanctioned event in your area that can be used as qualifiers can be found by visiting: http://www.usatmembership.com/EventCalendar/.These races qualify the top 10% or top finisher (whichever is greater) per age group for Age Group Nationals.

What races are Regional Championships?
These races qualify the top 33% or top 5 athletes (whichever is greater) per age group for Age Group Nationals. List of Regional Championships.

What races are Special Qualifiers?
These races qualify the top 33% or top 5 athletes (whichever is greater) per age group for Age Group Nationals. List of Special Qualifiers.

Do I receive a notification from USAT once I have qualified for Nationals?
You will not receive a notification from USAT on your qualification as each athlete is responsible for submitting their own race application with their qualification race listed. More information.

Is there a Clydesdale or Athena category at Nationals?
Each Clydesdale or Athena athlete will compete within their respective age group as there will not be a separate Clydesdale or Athena wave.  Awards will be presented to the top three Clydesdale and Athena athletes, for both 39 & under and 40 & over, who have indicated this category on their registration form.  These athletes must qualify within their age group in order to compete at the World Championships.

Collegiate Nationals
April 17, 2010
Lubbock, Texas
Collegiate Nationals webpage 

Youth Nationals
August 14, 2010
San Diego, CA
Youth National webpage

Does an athlete have to qualify in order to compete at the Youth National Championship?
There are no qualification guidelines that must be met in order for a youth to participate in the event.

What are the age groups for Youth Nationals?
Age divisions for Youth Nationals are broken down as the following: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15. 

What are the distances for Youth Nationals?
Age        Swim    Bike    Run
7-8          100m    5K        1K
9-10        100m    5K        1K
11-12      200m    10K      2K
13-15      200m    10K      2K

Duathlon Nationals
April 24, 2010
Richmond, Va.
Duathlon National webpage

Long Course National Championship 
October 2, 2010
Myrtle Beach, SC
Long Course Nationals webpage

Winter Triathlon National Championship
January 16 , 2010
Salt Lake City, UT
Winter Nationals webpage

Sprint Nationals 
September 26, 2010
Tuscaloosa, AL
Sprint National webpage

Club Nationals
October 2, 2010
Myrtle Beach, SC
Club Nationals webpage

Duathlon Long Course Nationals
July 18, 2010
Oklahoma City, OK
Long Course Duathlon Nationals webpage

Aquathlon Nationals
August 15,2010
San Ramon, CA
Aquathlon Nationals webpage

Does an athlete have to qualify in order to compete in the Aquathlon National Championship?
There are no qualification guidelines for the Aquathlon National Championship. For a list of International Aquathlon events please visit: http://www.triathlon.org/