USA Triathlon, in partnership with the City of Milwaukee, have announced that Milwaukee will host USA Triathlon’s largest national championship event, USA Triathlon Nationals, Aug. 4-6, 2023. This will be the third straight year for Milwaukee to host USA Triathlon’s marquee national championship.
USA Triathlon Nationals is the new multiple-day triathlon event starting in 2023 and will be the largest annual amateur triathlon event in the United States. The event combines the longstanding Age Group National Championships, which includes the Sprint- and Olympic-Distance Nationals, and Youth & Junior Nationals into one combined event, bringing together the country’s best amateur adult triathletes and youth and junior athletes for three days of racing Aug. 4-6.
USA Triathlon and VISIT Milwaukee are committed to coordinating with local entities such as Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, and The Bartolotta Restaurants to accommodate all events taking place along Milwaukee's lakefront.
“Milwaukee has been a beloved host city for Age Group Nationals the past two years and from 2013-15. The city offers both an ideal venue and strong local partnerships that give us the ability to offer outstanding championship events for triathletes from across the country,” said Victoria Brumfield, USA Triathlon Interim CEO. “Our new USA Triathlon Nationals will truly be a showcase for triathlon in the United States as we’ll have athletes from every state with ages ranging from 7 to 80s. By combining Youth and Junior Nationals with Sprint and Olympic-Distance National Championships, USA Triathlon Nationals will showcase youth and junior racing and athletes to thousands of additional adult athletes as well as family members, friends and spectators from across the country.”
“Milwaukee is thrilled to welcome back athletes and spectators to our stunning lakefront for a third consecutive year. Sports Milwaukee, along with VISIT Milwaukee, are grateful for the partnership that has been built with USA Triathlon over the last seven years and applaud the USA Triathlon team for creating such an incredible event,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, President and CEO Visit Milwaukee. “With the addition of the Youth & Junior Nationals events to the 2023 competition, our city is poised to host the largest Nationals yet. A premier destination for sporting events, Milwaukee has been a triathlete favorite in past years, and we know 2023 will be no different. We’re excited to welcome even more athletes while still delivering on the same amazing experience attendees have come to expect.”
USA Triathlon’s largest and longest-running annual event, Sprint- and Olympic-Distance Nationals returns to Milwaukee in 2023 for a third straight year. In both 2021 and 2022, the event attracted more than 6,000 registrants — the first two times in the event’s history to hit the 6,000 mark. Same as the 2022 event, Sprint- and Olympic-Distance Nationals will once again include the Clydesdale & Athena National Championships in 2023.
The fun and iconic Zone3 Youth & Junior Nationals brings together youth triathletes ages 7-19 for participation-based youth racing and junior draft-legal racing. Qualification is not required to participate in the youth age group races, which are open to athletes ages 7-18 (previously limited to ages 7-15). Youth & Junior Nationals also includes paratriathlon divisions and a dedicated racing category for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Other components of the event that athletes are accustomed to, including the team tent area, will be a part of the event in Milwaukee to maintain the camaraderie and spirit of the youth and junior racing community.
The nation’s up-and-coming triathlon stars race in the junior-draft legal races. Several past and present members of the U.S. Elite Triathlon National Team — including Tokyo 2020 Olympians Kevin McDowell and Taylor Knibb; 2016 U.S. Olympians Ben Kanute and Greg Billington; and World Triathlon U23 and Junior Champion Tamara Gorman — all began their triathlon careers on the youth and junior racing circuits.
The main venue for USA Triathlon Nationals is adjacent to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Henry Maier Festival Park and Discovery World along the shore of Lake Michigan. Athletes will swim in Lake Michigan, which provides cool water temperatures and a breakwater in Milwaukee’s bay. The bike course traverses the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge and the Lake Freeway, which will be closed to traffic during the event. The run course travels out along Lake Michigan on paved trails through the scenic Veterans Park, returning on the shaded Lincoln Memorial Drive.
In 2023, racing will begin on Friday, Aug. 4, with a 750-meter open water swim competition. The open water swim is open to anybody, and no qualification is required to compete, but athletes must pre-register for this event.
Youth and junior athletes will then take center stage on Friday, with the Youth & Junior Draft-Legal races. Youth Draft-Legal athletes will cover a 375m swim, 10k bike and 2.5k run, while Junior Draft-Legal athletes will take on a 750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run. The draft-legal format is similar to the style of racing contested at the Olympic Games and other elite World Triathlon competitions. Friday’s racing ends with a Kids Splash & Dash open to anyone.
On Saturday, adult athletes will toe the line for the qualification-based Olympic-Distance Nationals, which features a 1,500m swim, 40k bike and 10k run.
Also on Saturday is the Youth & Junior Mixed Relay. Relay teams are made up of four competitors (two boys, two girls), which each team member completing a 250m swim, draft-legal 5k bike and 1.2k run before tagging off to the next athlete. The Mixed Relay event made its Olympic debut at the Olympics Games Tokyo 2020, with the U.S. team winning the silver medal.
Following Saturday’s Mixed Relay will be the youth age group races for athletes 13-18. Athletes will cover a 300m swim, non-drafting 10k bike and 2.5k run. No qualification is required to participate.
The action continues Sunday with the qualification-based Sprint National Championships, held on a 750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run course.
The youth age group races for athletes ages 7-12 will cap the weekend. Athletes ages 7-10 will complete a 100m swim, 5k bike and 1k run, while 11- to 12-year-olds will complete a 200m swim, 10k bike and 2k run. Youth paratriathletes and athletes with intellectual impairments will also compete Sunday, taking on the same course as the 11-12 age group.
Qualification is not required to participate in the youth age group races, which are open to athletes ages 7-18 (previously limited to ages 7-15). Emphasizing participation and personal goal setting over competition for the younger age groups, “National Champion” titles will only be awarded to athletes ages 13-18, while athletes ages 7-12 will receive placement awards.
Registration for USA Triathlon Nationals is currently open for participants at this year’s Age Group Nationals and Youth & Junior Nationals. Following this early-bird period, registration will open for all qualified athletes and non-qualification events on Oct. 12.
Both the Sprint- and Olympic-Distance races will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 World Triathlon Age Group Triathlon World Championships. For more information about Team USA, comprised of the nation’s top amateur multisport athletes who represent the U.S. at World Triathlon World Championship events, visit usatriathlon.org/teamusa.
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