from Cliff Dierolf, USAT Duathlon Commission rep

The USAT Duathlon Commission recently announced the creation of a national duathlon series -- The U.S.A.T.Duathlon Grand Prix Series. This series was developed to give athletes in all regions an opportunity to compete in a national series, no matter what their ability from pro to age grouper. By completing at least two of the events listed any athlete may be eligible for awards. Completing more events may increase your score at the end of the series.

We don't expect athletes to travel across the USA to do each race," said commision rep Cliff Dierolf. "We are only interested in promoting duathlon and giving the athletes an opportunity to compete against other athletes in other regions for bragging rights on a national level.

Awards for overall, masters, and grandmasters titlesinclude complimentary entry into the 2003 Dannon Duathlon National Short Course Championships in Alpharetta, Georgia and the 2004 Powerman Tennessee, plus a gift certificate to Tri Zone. Top finishers in each age group will receive gift certificates to Tri Zone.

Complete series rules and other information are listed below. If you need further information or questions you may e-mail Dierolf at [email protected].

USAT Duathlon Grand Prix Series
March 15 Moores Creek Du Currie, NC
March 16 Fast and Furious F1 Du Grand Prairie, TX
April 6 Great Clermont Du Clermont, FL
April 6 Wind Wing Du (LC) Columbia, MO
April 27 Mt. Rainer Du Enumclaw, WA
May 24 Buffalo Trails Du Maysville, KY
June 8 Shamrock Du Glastonbury, CT
July 13 Dannon Du Carlsbad, CA
July 20 5430 Du Boulder, CO
Sept. 20 Coastal Therapy Du Rincon, GA
Oct. 12 Powerman TN (Champ race) College Grove, TN

RULES

1. Athletes must finish at least 2 races to be eligible for awards.

2. Best 3 scores will be used for scoring. If you finish more than 3 races, your lowest scores will be dropped.

3. The athlete with the most cumulative points will be the overall champion. The athlete with the most cumulative points in the masters and grandmasters will be the overall masters and grandmasters champions.

4. The athlete with the most cumulative points in his/her age group will be the age group winner. No double dipping allowed. Overall, masters and grandmasters are not eligible for age group awards.

5. Age groups will be 19 and under to 80 and over in 5 year increments.

6. Scoring will be done based on the USAT rankings.

7. Athletes will use their age based on how old they will be on December 31, 2003 to determine which age group they will compete in for the series. This is the same policy as the USAT national rankings.

8. You must be an annual member of USAT to be eligible for awards and series points and standings.

9. The Championship Race will be worth 1.5x points but will only count as completing one race.

10. If there is a tie, the athlete with the fastest time at the championship race will be declared the winner. If there still is a tie, the athlete with the highest race score from one race will be declared the winner. If there still is a tie, the athlete who had the higher score on their second best race will be declared the winner. If there still is a tie after this, the athletes will be declared co-winners.

11. Only athletes who are racing with an age group license are eligible for this series.

12. All decisions of the USAT Duathlon commission are final.

AWARDS

1st place overall, masters, and grandmasters M/F
Free entry into:
2004 Dannon Duathlon National Short Course Championships in Alpharetta, GA
2004 Powerman Tennessee in College Park, TN

These awards are non-transferrable and must be used in 2004

$75 gift certificate to Tri Zone

1st place age group
$50 gift certificate to Tri Zone

2nd place age group
$25 gift certificate to Tri Zone