Unlike the professionals who now have the Kona Pro Ranking system for their opportunity to qualify for racing in the Ironman World Championship race. Age groupers get their chance via qualifying slots offered mainly at Ironman events around the world. What some age groupers don't know is that some Ironman 70.3 triathlon races offer qualifying slots for Kona. Usually the number of slots at these events is smaller than on would see being offered at a regular Ironman event.

Just because the event is half the distance doesn't mean is easier to get a slot to the big dance. By far the competition for these slots is fierce and advantageous. Half the distance, half the recovery time, double the challenge.

So far for the 2012 Ironman World Championship race, the WTC has 6 Ironman 70.3 events offering slots to Kona:

• • Ironman 70.3 Phuket (December 4, 2011) - 30
• • Ironman 70.3 St. Croix (May 6, 2012) - 30
• • Ironman 70.3 Hawaii (June 2, 2012) - 28
• • Ironman 70.3 Eagleman (June 10, 2012) - 30
• • Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake (June 24, 2012) - 30
• • Ironman 70.3 Japan (June 24, 2012) - 30

The Ironman 70.3 Philippines race had slots last year. Those have since been removed. It seems that they might have be re-allocated with the announcement that Ironman 70.3 Japan will now have slots for Kona.

Read more info at www.ironmanworldchampionship.com/qualification/

Ironman 70.3 Centrair Tokoname Japan Offers Kona Slots
World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) today announced that general entry registration for the third annual Ironman 70.3 Centrair Tokoname Japan will open on Jan. 31, 2012. With this being the only Ironman World Championship qualifier in the region, race organizers have added additional entries; however, as in previous years, a sell-out is anticipated within just a few hours.

Scheduled for June 24, 2012, Lixil Ironman 70.3 Centrair Tokoname Japan will be staged in and around the Centrair International Airport, providing easy access to the race for visitors travelling from across the globe with direct flights from Singapore, Frankfurt and Detroit. Athletes will begin the race with a point-to-point swim at Ise Bay in the Pacific Ocean. The 1.5-loop bike course will see some changes in 2012, leading to a smoother and faster route through Tokoname city. The final leg of the course features a spectator friendly one-loop run with athletes finishing on the beach.

The event is one of nearly 60 in the global Ironman 70.3 Series, offering 25 age group qualifying slots for the 2012 Ironman World Championship 70.3, to be held on Sept. 9, 2012, at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev. The event date was moved earlier in the season to accommodate the addition of 30 coveted age group qualifying slots to the 2012 Ironman World Championship, scheduled for Oct. 13, 2012, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. These slots will give Asia-Pacific athletes additional opportunities to make it to the starting line on Ali'i Drive in Kona. Professional athletes will be competing for a prize purse of $15,000.

For additional information on Lixil Ironman 70.3 Centrair Tokoname or to register for the 2012 race, please visit www.ironman703.jp/e/ (English) or www.ironman703.jp (Japanese).
 

January 25, 2012 (Honolulu, HI) - AVIA, the leading footwear brand in endurance sports, will join forces with XTERRA - the nation's premier off-road triathlon and trail running series - as a Presenting Sponsor in 2012.

The partnership puts AVIA in prime position to connect with XTERRA's active, national audience of adventure seekers, weekend warriors and competitors via the XTERRA America Tour of more than 100 off-road triathlons and trail runs held across the U.S., and at least ten nationally syndicated television programs including the XTERRA USA Championship, XTERRA World Championship, and XTERRA Adventure series.

"Through these last few years we have observed AVIA's commitment to endurance and participation sports, and we are honored that they have chosen XTERRA to become their partner," said Tom Kiely, CEO of TEAM Unlimited/XTERRA. "Our combined efforts will produce more opportunities for training, competition, and fun for the active lifestyle market in the future."

AVIA, a global brand rooted in multisport since 1979, has a proud history of creating great footwear for the runner, triathlete, weekend warrior, and endurance enthusiast.

"The XTERRA partnership extends our aggressive commitment to aligning AVIA with today's concept of the Outdoor Gym. As we evolve our brand and innovate technologies for today's fitness minded consumer, XTERRA participants provide a meaningful extension of the AVIA platform," said Tim Joyce, Senior Vice President & General Manager-American Sporting Goods.

Armed with this presenting sponsorship AVIA will be able to showcase their footwear to thousands of XTERRA participants across the nation, and will also expose their brand to national television audiences and online via XTERRA's web portals XTERRAPlanet.com, XTERRATrailrun.com, and XTERRA.TV.

"AVIA is the perfect footwear and apparel sponsor for the XTERRA Tribe. AVIA's commitment to providing compelling and innovative product to consumers, and the XTERRA Series - which provides what we see as the Outdoor Gym - align perfectly. You just couldn't find a better fit," said David Howitt, CEO of the Meriwether Group who assisted in forging the partnership between XTERRA and AVIA.

About AVIA
In 1979, AVIA was founded on a passion to provide footwear for serious athletes. As technology advanced, so did AVIA, developing innovative shoe designs that revolutionized athletic footwear. With such designs as the Cantilever Heel, the Anatomical Cradle, and FOM Technology, AVIA proved to be passionate, progressive, and at the top of the game. Today, AVIA continues to lead the performance training movement and further its dedication to endurance sports performance.

About TEAM Unlimited / XTERRA
TEAM Unlimited is a Hawaii-based television events and marketing company, founded in 1988. It owns and produces XTERRA and in 2011 produced more than 100 XTERRA off-road triathlon and trail running races in 15 countries worldwide. In the U.S. alone nearly 200,000 participants took part in the XTERRA lifestyle last year while XTERRA's TV, publicity, advertising, online, and grassroots marketing efforts generated more than 400 million impressions. In addition, TEAM TV has produced more than 300 adventure television shows resulting in three Emmy's and 42 Telly Awards for production excellence since 1990. View samples at www.xterra.tv, and learn more at www.xterraplanet.com and www.xterratrailrun.com.

World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) today announced changes and additions to the 5150 Triathlon Series. Professional WTC champions will have the opportunity for expanded automatic qualifying across three world-renowned championship events: the Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship, Ironman World Championship 70.3 and Ironman World Championship. Professional athletes will also have expanded opportunities for 5150 Pro Ranking (5150 PR) points with the addition of 5150 Triathlon Series races and select Ironman 70.3 races to the qualifying schedule.

This is a milestone for our sport," said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of WTC. "Automatic qualifying for our champions across the three championship events will add an interesting and competitive dynamic. With this change and the additional opportunities to earn points in the 5150 PR system, we're giving professional athletes a chance to add variety to their season and compete across different distances without compromising their qualifying opportunities. We're excited to see how this unites athletes within the triathlon community."

The 2011 Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship, Marine Corps Ironman World Championship 70.3 and Ford Ironman World Championship professional winners will each receive an automatic invitation to all three events in 2012, provided they validate their slots. With expanded automatic qualification, world champions like Craig Alexander and Melissa Rollison will not only be invited back to the race that they conquered the previous year, but also have the opportunity to race in the 2012 Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship. Likewise, Greg Bennett and Lisa Norden will now be extended an invitation to compete in Kona and Las Vegas, provided they validate their slots during the 2012 qualifying period.

"It's encouraging to see WTC introduce this initiative with the 5150, Ironman 70.3 and Ironman champions getting the chance to race each other at these championship events," said Greg Bennett, 2011 Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship Men's Elite Cup champion. "Over time we will see some great battles between athletes who excel in their particular arena and are getting challenged by a different distance. Bringing the best in the sport together to race each other will be brilliant for triathlon, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to race at all three championship events in 2012."

"I'm excited to hear of the new qualifying system," said Mirinda Carfrae, second-place finisher at the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship and Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship. "It's an opportunity and great step by WTC to encourage the best athletes to compete at the biggest races across all distances."

The announcement of the automatic qualifying system comes at a significant point in triathlon history - prize purses are at an all-time high. Not only is the 2012 Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship professional prize purse more than $1.1 million, but WTC has now increased the professional prize purse for the Ironman World Championship 70.3 and Ironman World Championship. The total 2012 Ironman World Championship 70.3 prize purse is doubling to $200,000 and the total 2012 Ironman World Championship prize purse is increasing to $650,000.

This season, the 5150 Triathlon Series will offer several new races and WTC has designated a number of Ironman 70.3 races around the world that will count toward the 5150 PR system as well. Professional athletes will have up to five of their highest scored races count toward their 5150 PR; at least one of those races must be a 5150 Triathlon Series event and up to two of the designated Ironman 70.3 races may count toward the total. A full list including the qualifying schedule and points can be found on the Ironman Pro Membership website at www.ironmanpromembership.com/hy-vee-5150-qualifying/.

For a complete list of the 2012 5150 Triathlon Series events or for additional information about the expanded automatic qualifying and 5150 PR, please visit www.5150.com. Professional athlete inquiries should be directed to Proinfo@5150.com.
 
 
Related Posts:
• 2 Events Join 5150 Triathlon Series Schedule in 2012
• Ontario, Canada Lands WTC 5150 Muskoka Triathlon Event
• Organizers Merge Ironman 70.3 & 5150 New Orleans Events
 

Star Events owned by Star Production SARL and Star Events USA announce their selection of Lindsey Kurhajetz to fulfill the new position of General Manager for the North American development, branding and operations of the TriStar Series and GranFondo USA cycling events. Under the direction of Star Events Board Member Brett Craig and Chief Operating Officer Olivier Castelli, Kurhajetz's work begins immediately to launch the high quality sporting events in popular North American destinations.

"Our expansion into the U.S. marks a significant milestone for Star Events. This development allows us to bring new ideas, formats and experiences to the vibrant U.S. market. Now with Lindsey at the helm and an emerging team, I'm excited for the year to unfold," said Star Events Chairmen and CEO Georg Hochegger.

"After a search that included many qualified candidates, we are very fortunate to bring Lindsey into the General Manager role. The combination of her leadership, dedication and energy was for us, a paramount decision," confirms Brett Craig, Star Events Board Member.

An English and Communication honors graduate of St. Olaf College, Kurhajetz's resume highlights a rich career of leadership and event management. Media Coordinator for the UCI Road World Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Team Liaison and Development Lead for Minnesota's signature PRO race, the Nature Valley Grand Prix, founder of the award-winning Maple Grove Triathlon and inaugural TriStar111 Minnesota events, Kurhajetz has also worked with Denver's Tri for the Cure and Tour of California. {Lindsey with 2011 TriStar111 Minnesota winner Maik Twelsiek}

Last July, she shared the cover of Triathlete Magazine with South African PRO, Dan Hugo. "I'm eager for the American market to enjoy the Star Events experience and learn more about the unique formats both competitive and recreational. Together with our event partners, avid triathletes and cyclists will have premier access to authentic European-style racing in popular U.S. destinations," said Kurhajetz.

The Star Events USA office will be based in St Petersburg, Florida.

About Star Events
The TriStar and GranFondo World labels are owned by Star Production SARL, a Monaco based company specializing in organizing high quality sports events that are focused on fun, social responsibility and environmental protection. The TriStar Series has grown to 30 races in these 15 destinations in less than three years: Split (Croatia), Nevis (St.Kitts and Nevis), Mallorca and Madrid (Spain), Worms-Germany (Germany), Lyon, Deauville and Cannes (France), Estonia-Otepää (Estonia), Minnesota (USA), Monaco (Monaco), Sardinia (Italy), Milton Keynes (GBR) and Salzkammergut and Kufstein (Austria). TriStar has introduced new distances to the sport of triathlon (A/N: 111km and 222km), officially recognized by ITU, as well as a new Team Racing Concept T5. GranFondo World presents authentic Italian-inspired pure cycling events in San Diego, LA - Beverly Hills, Philadelphia and Miami with additional locations on the immediate horizon.
More Info: www.star-events.cc
 

Enhancements include expanded automatic qualifying for champions, added 5150 PR opportunities and new races

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WANAKA, NZ — Australia's Aaron Farlow came through a strong field to win the sixth edition of the long-course Challenge Wanaka triathlon on Saturday.

Farlow broke the tape in 8:41:53, 10 minutes ahead of defending champion Jamie Whyte of Auckland with Aucklander Kieran Doe another six minutes behind in third.

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With the increase in popularity the past few years, Crossfit gyms are opening everywhere. People watch the "Crossfit Games" on ESPN and are intrigued by the great looking, physically gifted athletes that are competing. I have received numerous emails, texts and questions on my views on Crossfit and their workout protocols. Here’s my answer:

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Brand charges into 2012 with a whole new angle on running: Revolutionary 8mm heel-to-toe offset defines next generation running performance

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