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Important Dates
Special Qualifier
July 17, 2010
MERCRS Championship
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Race Entry Discount
Muncie Multisport Inc. is offering a $10 discount off race entires for all Tri/Du races! Promotion good until April 15th. Use Coupon code: MMSI2010.
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Welcome
I want to take the opportunity to welcome everyone to the 2010 Mideast Region Club Racing Series (MERCRS). The Mideast Regional Council is very excited about this year's schedule. We reduced the number of races by selecting three great races each state has to offer, while giving special attention to excellent venue offerings and varied geographical locations. We believe the selections will provide a challenging and enjoyable season for all clubs within our region.
You may view the 2010 MERCRS schedule by visiting the Mideast Region Website. We expect great participation throughout the season at many races. With the Regional Championship and Special Qualifiers and the Championship scored as double points, it is sure to be a competitive series. This year's championship will be held at the Breakwater Triathlon in beautiful Petoskey, Mich. More information will be posted on our website about this race venue very soon!
I am looking forward to the 2010 multisport season. As always, we enjoy receiving feedback from you, and greatly appreciate your participation in all Mideast Region activities. Any questions and/or comments can be directed to your state's representative:
Have a great 2010 season, and we'll see you at the races! Thank you, Kevin Smeltzer
USAT Mideast Regional Chair
Mideast Regional Council members sweating it out before a council meeting in Fort Wayne, Ind., at the Peloton Cycling Center. |
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Johan's Trifest - Special Qualifier
The popular Johan's Trifest, now in its ninth year, has been selected by USA Triathlon and the Mideast region to host this year's Mideast Regional Special Qualifier and as one of 18 regional races comprising the Mideast Region Club Race Series (MERCRS). The top 33% of finishers in each age group will qualify for a slot in USA Triathlon's Age Group National Championship. All finishers are also eligible to score points for their club in MERCRS. An Olympic distance event, athletes swim 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles), ride a 40k (24.8 mile) bike loop and run 10k (6.2 miles) to the finish.
Johan's Trifest is a tribute to local triathlon legend Johan Visser. The popularity of this event, which is limited to 500 participants, can be traced back to Visser himself and a core committee of his racing buddies that set out to create a tightly organized race that would safely challenge athletes amidst picturesque and spectator friendly surroundings. The organizers approached Sandy Pines Resort on Lake Monterey in Allegan County, Mich., for a protected swim and run course. Sandy Pines, which consists of some 800 acres of lakes and woodland interspersed with well established campgrounds and full-width 14 foot paved trails, agreed and quickly adopted Johan's Trifest as their own. Once that relationship was forged, Visser and the core race committee scoured the surrounding area and carefully mapped out a bike course that is equal parts rollers and quiet country roads with one challenging climb around mile 9. A race created for athletes by athletes was born. Sadly, Visser succumbed to brain cancer in 2002, but Johan's Trifest continues to celebrate his life and the triathlon lifestyle he loved while also raising funds for Hospice of Michigan and Van Andel's Hope on the Hill Foundation.
Johan's Trifest is a tightly run Olympic distance triathlon of great appeal to triathletes of all levels of experience and competitiveness. Designation as a USA Triathlon Special Qualifier and inclusion in MERCRS only add to the appeal of this event. Registration is now open and limited to 500 participants. We hope you will register early and join us. Go to our Mideast Region website to read more about this race venue, including race course descriptions.
Michael Wendorf
USAT Mideast Regional Vice-Chair, Michigan Representative | |
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Youth Elite and Junior Elite
This is an exciting time to be a youth elite or junior elite triathlete in the United States. The youth elite group encompasses ages 13-15, and the junior elite group consists of 16-19-year-olds. USA Triathlon has put together a group of national draft-legal races for both age groups with the objective of fostering the development of our nation's soon-to-be-elite triathletes. Details regarding these races can be found on the USA Triathlon website under the "Junior and Junior Elite" tab. As the Regional Athlete Development Coordinator for the Mideast Region, my job is to provide information on youth elite and junior elite development and competitions; serve as the regional point of contact for athletes, parents, coaches, teams and event directors; and identify and monitor talent in our region. I take particular interest in our young triathletes. I have been involved with youth and junior triathlon for seven years, and have attended every USAT Youth and Junior National Championship since 2003. I have watched the level of competition and the quality of the fields in these age groups increase each year, not only in our region but across the country. And we have hardly scratched the surface of the young talent in our sport. We need to do all we can to encourage the development of our youth elite and junior elite athletes. They not only represent the next generation of American triathletes, but they also include our future Olympians. USA Triathlon and the Mideast Region are committed to providing opportunities for the development of such athletes now. Please contact me if you have any questions about establishing a High Performance Team, qualification standards for the 2010 USA Triathlon National Championship, or the testing protocol for junior elite athletes. Mike Kanute USAT Mideast Regional Athlete Development Coordinator
Geneva, Ill. |
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Workshops and CEU Opportunities
USAT's Continuing Education Department will be holding coach and athlete workshops in Indianapolis in conjunction with the USAT Level I Coaching Clinic. Please see below for complete workshop information that we encourage all USAT certified coaches, USAT members and general public to attend. Register today!
QUEST TO BE YOUR BEST - Specific Customized Mental Skills Training Plan Design
Date: Friday, June 11, 2010
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Embassy Suites Indianapolis Downtown
Presenter: Bobby McGee
Level I Indianapolis attendees and USAT Certified Coaches earn 3 USAT CEU's for attending.
Please register via active.com here.
The Art of Slowing Down What You See to Speed Athletes Up
Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Location: Embassy Suites Indianapolis Downtown
Presenter: Justin Trolle, USAT Level III
Level I Indianapolis attendees and USAT Certified Coaches earn 5 USAT CEU's for attending.
Please register via active.com here. | |
