The Mid-Atlantic Region is pleased to announce the first annual USAT Mid-Atlantic Region Duathlon Series. The Series consists of eight races to be held in six different states throughout the Region. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three overall male and female winners and to the top male and female Masters of the Series. The Mid-Atlantic Region is the first USAT Region to offer such a duathlon series.

USA Triathlon has announced its athletes of the year for 2002. The USA Triathlon elite triathletes of the year are Barb Lindquist (Victor, Idaho) and Tim DeBoom (Lyons, Colo.) The elite duathletes of the year are Andrea Ratkovic (Norman, Okla.) and the Mid-Atlantic Region’s very own Greg Watson (Newark, Del.). Other Mid-Atlantic Region members receiving top honors include elite rookie triathlete of the year, Tim Kitching (Baltimore Md.), overall age group duathlete of the year, Joshua Beck (Carlisle, Pa.) and grandmaster duathlete of the year, Tony Mauro (Pittsburgh, Pa.).

After spending the past month shoveling the snow in his driveway, Hurricane Bob is back again.
This month, he previews a new multisport series coming to the region this spring: the Greater Atlantic Multisport Series.

If you’re still deciding what races to do in 2003 or just looking for a chance to win some great prizes, read on.

A training clinic will be held on May 17-18 in Columbia, Maryland, in conjunction with the Columbia Triathlon. Anyone who is a member of USA Triathlon--from newcomers to veteran triathletes to non-athletes--is eligible to attend. Training consists of about three hours of classroom instruction, a take-home examination about the Competitive Rules and a race-day practicum. A $12 fee covers materials.

Other locations and dates are being considered. For more information, please contact David Schoonmaker, davids@amsci.org, 919-547-5219. To find out more about the USAT officials program in general, see: http://www.usatriathlon.org/Frames/fs_rules.htm

The JFK 50 Miler celebrated its 40th anniversary on November 23, 2002. The top male finisher overall was Jim Hage (Kensington, Md.) from the Mid-Atlantic Region. Hage finished the race in 6 hours, 13 minutes – a remarkable 7:26 pace effort. Connie Gardner from Medina, Ohio, won the female race in a time of 7 hours and 11 minutes.

Canadian Lisa Bentley successfully defended her title and Argentinian Oscar Galindez won the men’s race at the Pucon Half-Ironman held in Pucon, Chile on January 29, 2003.

Just because it’s been cold and icy outdoors in the Mid-Atlantic region for what seems like an eternity doesn’t mean that you can’t still log some valuable training time on your bike this winter. This month, the Science of Speed gives you everything you need to know about riding indoors.

The science of speed combines two expert perspectives on seasonal triathlon testing, training, and racing and is sponsored by ELITE Testing (a division of ELITE Health & Wellness) (http://www.elitetesting.com) , located in Philadelphia.

The Dannon Duathlon Championship Series celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Started in 1994, the Dannon Duathlon Championship Series has grown to an eight venue schedule for 2003. Four of the eight venues are new to the Series.

Colorado Multisport Management is teaming up with Fitness Concepts to host a USAT sanctioned Triathlon Clinic in the Washington, D.C. area. Elite triathletes Wes Hobson and Ryan Bolton and Coach Joe Friel will be present at the clinic and share valuable insight into the sport. The clinic will be held on March 29, 2003 at the Freedom Center on the George Mason University Campus. For more information about this clinic, please contact Dan Storey at dan@coloradomultisport.com.

It is time again to dream of warm sun, tropical waters, and the chance to participate in triathlon’s most famous and prestigious event. The deadline for the 2003 Ironman World Championship Lottery is February 28, 2003. The lottery cost is $35.00. You may purchase a Passport membership for an additional $50.00. Benefits of Passport membership include doubling your chances at getting selected into the lottery AND 10% off Ironmanstore.com. Online lottery applications are available at http://www.myraceentry.com/race_details.php?race=4 . Lottery winners will be selected and the results will be posted April 15th, 2003 at 12:00 p.m. EST on http://www.ironmanlive.com .

USA Triathlon has announced the sites and schedule for its 2003 Junior/Under-23 series. The series consists of six draft-legal races designed to teach young triathletes the international style of racing.