TRIATHLON 5150

The 5150 joins the Ironman and Ironman70.3 as an official WTC event.

The WTC just recently introduced the triathlon 5150 into their list of events. The triathlon 5150 will join the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 as an official WTC event.

A NEW RACE

On October 5, 2010 in Tampa, Florida, the WTC made the announcement that they are launching a new international event that follows closely on the heels of the very successful Ironman 70.3 series.

Basically, it’s an Olympic distance triathlon event that will include a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike, and a 10K run.

or……a 1500 meter swim, a 40,000 meter bike, and a 10,000 meter run for a total of 51,500 meters.

This is not official and I am only guessing, but I would assume the 51,500 meter total is what inspired the name “5150″ for this new series of races.

Stay tuned for more information on the events and online registration etc. as it becomes available in the coming weeks.

5150 TO BE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL DISTANCE SERIES IN THE WORLD

As the details about the new 5150 event unfold in the coming year, it’s expected that it will be the largest triathlon series of it’s kind in the world.

Personally I believe it’s a brilliant concept. It’s not lost on the WTC that triathlon is the fastest growing mainstream sport in the world and this new event will open the door to many people new to the sport to take part in an official WTC event.

Not everyone is able to take on a race like Ironman Canada or an Ironman 70.3 event if they are relatively new to the sport of triathlon, but this new 5150 triathlon event will be within reach of many novice triathletes.

Once they accomplish this goal, people will be more inspired to stretch out the distance and perhaps take on the Ironman 70.3 and than one day, the full Ironman Triathlon distance.

GREAT NEW FORMAT

Is it just me or is a bit ridiculous when we watch these Olympic distance races that allow drafting on the bike?

As one of those who did an Ironman in the early 1980′s, it always seemed to me that drafting simply did not belong in a triathlon of any distance.

We have seen it over an over again in the Olympic Games. If an athlete did not make it into that first group of cyclists, he was often doomed to be out of contention.

This triathlon 5150 series of races will be the first non-drafting series of events and it’s long past due.

I believe this makes the playing field a lot more level and this distance will no longer be dominated by the super-fast swimmers who are fortunate enough to get into the lead bike pack out of transition.

Once the 2011 schedule begins it will include 13 domestic(U.S.)races and a few international races with additional international races in Europe and Asia to be announced at a later date.

HEY! MAYBE THEY WILL EVEN HAVE A FEW TRIATHLON 5150 RACES IN CANADA!(if anyone at the WTC happens to be listening). We can only hope I guess, but no word on that at this date in time.

I can see that being a distinct possibility and no doubt many possible Canadian venues are already making requests for a license for one of the new races.

Why not! This is going to be a great new race and they are sure to fill just as quickly as every other WTC event around the world.

THE TRIATHLON 5150 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS

The honor of this event will go to The Hy-Vee Triathlon and Des Moines, Iowa will be the lucky city to host what is sure to become a prestigious new event championship.

And how about this……

Professional athletes will have the chance to compete for one million dollars in prize money. Wow!

Now that should make for one amazing field of pros from around the world when this championship race takes place.

TRIATHLON 5150 SERIES FOR 2011(may be subject to change).

(1)March 13--Miami International Triathlon (Miami, Fla.)

(2)May 1--St. Anthony’s Triathlon (St. Petersburg, Fla.)

(3)May 15--5150 New Orleans (New Orleans, La.)

(4)May 22--Memphis in May Triathlon (Tunica, Miss.)

(5)June 19--Washington D.C. Triathlon (Washington, D.C.)

(6)June 25--5150 Provo (Provo, Utah)

(7)July 10--Boulder Peak Triathlon (Boulder, Colo.)

(8)August 7--Nautica New York City Triathlon (New York, N.Y.)

(9)September 4--Hy-Vee Triathlon/5150 U.S. Championship (Des Moines, Iowa)

(10)September 11--5150 Lake Lanier (Gainesville, Ga.)

(11)October 2--5150 Lake Las Vegas (Henderson, Nev.)

(12)October 23--5150 Galveston (Galveston, Texas)

(13)November 12--5150 Clearwater/5150 Series Finale (Clearwater, Fla.)

The triathlon 5150 Series International locations

(1)June 5--5150 Frankfurt (Frankfurt, Germany)

(2)June 12--5150 Klagenfurt (Klagenfurt, Austria)

(3)July 9--5150 Zurich (Zurich, Switzerland)

This is going to be really interesting as far as what develops. Will there be top Ironman and Ironman 70.3 pros taking a run at this race or will it be a new breed of pro specialists in the shorter distance who will dominate the field?

Also, will this ease some of the pressure on Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races as some people opt for the shorter distance instead of the longer distances they usually sign up for?

Or perhaps triathletes might consider doing a combination of both, but if that’s the case, they will have to choose their Triathlon 5150 events carefully as they will no doubt be clashing with Ironman races Ironman 70.3 races.

For instance, a triathlete who wants to take part in the U.S. triathlon 5150 Championships in Des Moines on Sept.1 will most likely have to miss out on Ironman Canada at the end of August.

A triathlete who decides to do the 5150 triathlon in Nautica New York City (New York, N.Y.)on August 7th would not be able to take part in Ironman Calgary 70.3 as they clash.

Two of the June triathlon 5150 events also clash with Ironman Couer d’Alene.

Regardless, it’s great to see these new races springing up and it is sure to perpetuate the sport of triathlon around the world and ultimately help prepare more novice triathletes to eventually take on the longer distance Ironman events.