From Greg Hawkins, Set Up Events:
The 2009 triathlon season is finally upon us and it is the five-year anniversary of the Virginia Triathlon Series! We have made some great additions to the series this year with new events at Lake Anna and a new event in Christiansburg, VA.
So, with beautiful spring days and a race season fast approaching, here are a couple of items I would like to share with you:
NEW VTS RULES FOR 2009
1. Series Qualifiers - If you want to qualify for series awards you need to do 5 races.
- Series award winners will receive a customized Zorrel performance jacket.
- Series qualifiers will receive a very cool VTS Five-Year Anniversary qualifier technical shirt.
2. Packet Pick Up - Many Virginia Triathlon Series events have chosen to go green! As such, the pre-stuffed plastic bags at some events are going away. Don't worry, you'll still get your T-shirt and all the giveaways, you'll just get to pick and choose what flyers you want to take with you.
3. VTS Collegiate Championship - If you are part of a college team and want to race for the VTS Collegiate Cup, register for the Big Lick Triathlon. Teams will compete for bragging rights throughout the year.
4. VTS Club Championship - If you are part of a club and want to compete as a team, sign up for any race at the Patriots Race Weekend. The fastest club with the most people will get to carry the cup and bragging rights until next year. Just put your club name in the collegiate field when you sign up. Full details on scoring, etc., will be posted soon.
5. Photo ID - Remember that for all VTS events you are required to show a photo ID and USAT card (if you are a USAT member) in order to get your race number and timing chip.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
3/28 - Manassas Park Festival of Races - 5K, 10K, 10 Miler. Staged out of Signal Hill Park, this is a new Northern Virginia running event we are timing and we like seeing friendly faces at races! Enter discount code MP123 for a $5 discount. The last day to register online with the discount is Tuesday 3/24.
4/4 - Smithfield Sprint - Pool Swim Sprint - 10AM Start - 175 Slots Left. A flat, fast course and post race BBQ await all athletes. Black hooded sweatshirts for all those fast enough to place. Come out to the first event of the 2009 VTS and check your legs.
4/18-19 - Rumpass in Bumpass - Int & Sprint Triathlons- 10AM Start -50% Full. The first open water events of the year in a heated lake with clinics, live music and camping on site. It's going to be a rocking good time! Plus, if you race both days, you'll get a pair of free socks and be in the running for a free entry into the 2010 event! Register soon as both events have passed 50% capacity.
4/26 - Angels Race - Pool Swim Sprint - 30 Spots Left - Register ASAP! A very cool urban pool swim event with a fast, challenging bike course and a run course that goes through a tunnel! If you have never raced this event, you are missing out.
5/2 - Appalachian Power Smith Mtn Lake Triathlon - Almost 50% Full. Another great early season triathlon in the western part of our state, this event has super fast bike and run courses. Both are out and back so you can always keep an eye on your
competition!
5/9-5/10 - Kinetic Race Weekend - Half & Sprint Events - Both Past 50%. Moved back 3 weeks for warmer weather, this event is as picture perfect as they come. The half is athlete and spectator friendly with a multi-loop format and well stocked aid stations. The sprint is a biker's dream with a rolling 18 mile course followed by a rolling 5K run course. The Half starts at 7AM but the Sprint starts at 9AM so you can almost sleep in for this one!
5/31 - Reston Sprint Triathlon - Sold Out! This pool swim event sold out in about 30 minutes this year. So, if you didn't get in better luck next year.
TRI FOR AUTISM 2009
After raising $50,000 over the last 2 years, Tri For Autism is back again in 2009 and their goal is to raise $50,000 this year alone! If you want to fund autism research through your racing, visit Tri for Autism to read more about it and see what you can do.
