TEMPE, Ariz. – As a national leader in innovation, showing commitment to the Olympic movement, and after fielding the first NCAA Power Five triathlon program in the country, Arizona State has been awarded a bid to host the 2017 Triathlon Collegiate National Championship on Nov. 5 (10:30 am).
"Tempe is the ideal location to host the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championship," said Arizona governor Doug Ducey. "With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Tempe has hosted an Ironman Triathlon for over 10 years because, in part, Tempe Town Lake provides seamless transitions from swimming, cycling, and running. Home to Arizona State University, the City of Tempe has every amenity for both participants and spectators."
ASU adopted the NCAA emerging sport of triathlon in 2015 and in its first season of competition under head coach Cliff English, Sun Devil Triathlon won the 2016 national championship. Arizona State now looks to help set a standard for implementation of the emerging sport of triathlon and the future execution of the championship event.
"There is no better location to hold a triathlon competition than Tempe," said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. "On average, Tempe hosts over a dozen multisport competitions a year, in addition to various marathons and races, which have provided the city with a blueprint for how to best manage largescale race events. Tempe is a city I am proud to call home and we look forward to making all involved with the event equally as proud."
The race will take place in and around Tempe Town Lake, which is considered a "spectator friendly" course by the triathlon community. The three-lap 4.37-mile bike course will span through downtown Tempe, along Mill bridge, and through the scenic Papago Park while the two-lap 1.53-mile run course will run along the lakefront.
"It is an honor for Arizona State University to serve as host of the 2017 Triathlon National Championship in Tempe," said Ray Anderson, ASU Vice President for University Athletics. "Arizona State sees itself as an ambassador for the emerging sport of women's triathlon and will use the opportunity to host the 2017 National Championships as a platform to introduce and educate other NCAA member institutions on the collegiate model of the sport."
ASU and the city of Tempe have large participation and cooperation with the local, regional, and national triathlon community. Tempe has a history of hosting several major racing events including Ironman Arizona, Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, and Pat's Run, as well as triathlon-specific events in the 2013 & 2014 National Triathlon Championships for USA Triathlon.
"It's truly an honor and very exciting for ASU to be hosting the National Championships here in Tempe," said head triathlon coach Cliff English. "I am thrilled we are able to play a part in growing the sport of triathlon through our actions at ASU and hosting nationals will allow us to showcase these incredible young women as they compete on a truly world-class course at Tempe Town Lake."
The Sun Devils qualified for the 2016 national championships four times in as many opportunities in their first season of competition, finishing three student-athletes in the top four to start their inaugural year. Two races later, ASU swept the podium in their final tune-up before November's National Championship in New Orleans. Three of the top seven competitors belonged to Arizona State en route to the Sun Devils earning the trophy.
"Tempe is the ideal location to host the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championship," said Arizona governor Doug Ducey. "With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Tempe has hosted an Ironman Triathlon for over 10 years because, in part, Tempe Town Lake provides seamless transitions from swimming, cycling, and running. Home to Arizona State University, the City of Tempe has every amenity for both participants and spectators."
ASU adopted the NCAA emerging sport of triathlon in 2015 and in its first season of competition under head coach Cliff English, Sun Devil Triathlon won the 2016 national championship. Arizona State now looks to help set a standard for implementation of the emerging sport of triathlon and the future execution of the championship event.
"There is no better location to hold a triathlon competition than Tempe," said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. "On average, Tempe hosts over a dozen multisport competitions a year, in addition to various marathons and races, which have provided the city with a blueprint for how to best manage largescale race events. Tempe is a city I am proud to call home and we look forward to making all involved with the event equally as proud."
The race will take place in and around Tempe Town Lake, which is considered a "spectator friendly" course by the triathlon community. The three-lap 4.37-mile bike course will span through downtown Tempe, along Mill bridge, and through the scenic Papago Park while the two-lap 1.53-mile run course will run along the lakefront.
"It is an honor for Arizona State University to serve as host of the 2017 Triathlon National Championship in Tempe," said Ray Anderson, ASU Vice President for University Athletics. "Arizona State sees itself as an ambassador for the emerging sport of women's triathlon and will use the opportunity to host the 2017 National Championships as a platform to introduce and educate other NCAA member institutions on the collegiate model of the sport."
ASU and the city of Tempe have large participation and cooperation with the local, regional, and national triathlon community. Tempe has a history of hosting several major racing events including Ironman Arizona, Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, and Pat's Run, as well as triathlon-specific events in the 2013 & 2014 National Triathlon Championships for USA Triathlon.
"It's truly an honor and very exciting for ASU to be hosting the National Championships here in Tempe," said head triathlon coach Cliff English. "I am thrilled we are able to play a part in growing the sport of triathlon through our actions at ASU and hosting nationals will allow us to showcase these incredible young women as they compete on a truly world-class course at Tempe Town Lake."
The Sun Devils qualified for the 2016 national championships four times in as many opportunities in their first season of competition, finishing three student-athletes in the top four to start their inaugural year. Two races later, ASU swept the podium in their final tune-up before November's National Championship in New Orleans. Three of the top seven competitors belonged to Arizona State en route to the Sun Devils earning the trophy.