USA Triathlon Announces First-Ever National Youth Series

USA Triathlon announced its first-ever National Youth Series, a packed calendar of youth-focused multisport events across the country in 2019. The non-competitive, participation-based series includes 59 youth triathlons, as well as the 73-event Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series. Races are geared toward children ages 7-17.

USA Triathlon partnered with race directors, community centers, coaches, clubs, and parks and recreation departments to provide participation opportunities across USA Triathlon’s six Regions, with a calendar spanning from March through October.

“USA Triathlon is proud to showcase some of the most beloved youth multisport events in the country through our inaugural National Youth Series,” said Meg Duncan, Youth Program Manager at USA Triathlon. “The Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series, launched by USA Triathlon in 2012, has seen enormous success and continued growth with each new year. The National Youth Series now allows us to expand on that participation-based concept while opening up triathlon opportunities to more youth nationwide.”

All youth triathlon events are short in distance (typically a 100-400-meter swim, 2-10-kilometer bike, and 1-2.5-kilometer run), and are intended to expose youth to the basic elements of triathlon while providing a unique sense of accomplishment.

The Splash & Dash series is designed to introduce youth athletes to the multisport lifestyle through the fast-growing discipline of aquathlon (swim-run). With a focus on participation over competition, many of the events are not timed. 

At all Splash & Dash events, participants ages 7-10 will complete a 100m pool swim and a 1k run, while athletes ages 11-15 will complete a 200m pool swim and a 2k run. All Splash & Dash participants receive a custom series hat and finisher’s medal, USA Swimming bag tag and other giveaways from USA Triathlon.

The Splash & Dash series saw record participation in 2018, with 2,400 youth taking part in more than 50 events nationwide. The Boy Scouts of America, Girls on the Run and the USA Swimming Foundation are all partners of the series.

Prizes are available to participants of multiple National Youth Triathlon Series and/or Splash & Dash events in a given season, including a 2020 Youth Digital Membership, Rudy Project youth bike helmet, and select USA Triathlon-branded items. For the complete prize structure, click here.

Visit usatriathlon.org for the latest calendar, sorted by Region, and more information for the USA Triathlon National Youth Series. The series calendar and locations are subject to change. The National Youth Series is not a complete list of all USA Triathlon-sanctioned youth events; click here to view the complete USA Triathlon Sanctioned Events Calendar.

Additional resources for youth multisport athletes, parents and coaches are available at usatriathlon.org/youth.

About USA Triathlon: USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors – as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation – USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).