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Junior Team

Lots of fun and competition for ages 13-19.

No prior triathlon experience needed.  If you can swim, ride, and run you can try out triathlon!  All you need is swim suit, goggles, bike, helmet, and running shoes.  Great cross training for other sports or just getting fit!
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Pass the flyers out to your friends!

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General Youth and Junior Triathlon Information

We offer coaching and technique training for youth and junior athletes.  Young athletes tend to have fun, short workout sessions that are focused on skill development rather than building endurance and intensity.  As they get older, the sessions become more challenging and race specific.  Athletes learn how to navigate a swim course, execute smooth transitions, how to ride in a group of cyclists, and proper running mechanics.  Even Junior athletes are still doing shorter distances but at a higher intensity and at a higher skill level.

Youth triathletes are defined as age 8-16.  Junior triathletes are from 16-19 years old.  The distances vary by age group.  See the below chart for standard distances.

Youth

Most youth athletes compete in traditional non-drafting formats, exclusively for youth, also referred to as Kids Triathlons.  The athletes are not allowed to draft off another athlete during the bike leg.  Age categories are usually divided up into 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, & 13-15.  The distances are short and get longer as the child ages up. 

Youth Elite

Athletes between the age of 13- 15 can participate in draft legal triathlons similar to the Olympic format and bike racing.  The difference is that the athletes ride their bikes in a pack utilizing drafting and pack tactics.  These are referred to as Youth Elite Cup races and serve as qualifiers for Youth Elite National Championships. 

Junior

Athletes ranging in age from 16-19 compete in traditional non-drafting formats and typically race the same distance as an adult sprint race.  The athletes are not allowed to draft off another athlete during the bike leg.  The intensity is quite high as is the speed.  Many of these athletes are accomplished high school swimmers and cross country / track runners.

Junior Elite

Athletes range in age from 16-19 as well but race in the same format as the Olympic races in that the cycling leg is draft legal similar to bicycle racing.  These are referred to as Junior Elite Cups and are qualifiers for the Junior Elite National Championships.   These type of races feature athletes that have great swim skills, excellent bike handling in a pack, and a strong run.  Many of these are identification events to find future national team members or future Olympians.
 
Typical USA Triathlon Race Distances
 
  RACING AGE        CATEGORY                 SWIM                           BIKE                      RUN 

       7 – 8                      Youth                  50 - 100m                        2k                         1k 

      9 – 10                     Youth                     100m                            3k                          1k 

     11 – 12                      Youth                   200m                          5 - 7k                      2k 

     13 – 15                     Youth                200 - 400m                    8 - 10k                  2 - 3k 

     16 – 19                     Junior               400 - 750m                    15 - 20k                  5k 

     13 – 15                  Youth Elite              400m                            10k                      2.5k 

     16 – 19                 Junior Elite              750m                             20k                       5k 
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