Women’s Triathlon Series Follow Trend in Women’s Participation

A look at the growth of women’s-only series in triathlon and a preview of the 2011 lineup of races.

Written by: Bethany Leach-Mavis

Last week, Trek Women announced its sponsorship for 2011 of three of the major women’s-only triathlon series: the Trek Women Triathlon Series, the Danskin Series and the Iron Girl Series. The same week, Philadelphia Triathlon, owners of the SheRox Triathlon Series, and Life Time Fitness announced a new partnership that would expand SheRox to nine races in 2011. Part of the expansion includes incorporating the former U.S. Women’s Triathlon Series.

The growth of women’s triathlon series follows an upward trend in women’s triathlon participation. “The growth of the sport is exploding, and female athletes are the fastest-growing demographic,” said Leslie Prevish, Trek Women brand manager, in a press release.

According to Awilda Harrington, USA Triathlon Women’s Committee chairperson, female multisport athletes now make up 44 percent (20,473) of all USA Triathlon annual members under the age of 30. “This trend is becoming increasingly evident at events. Nearly every single race I am involved with has nearly as many women as men,” said Harrington “This all bodes well for the future of women in the sport, as more and more female athletes are becoming involved at a younger age.”

In its third year of existence, Trek Women Triathlon Series aims to encourage participation among younger women this year with a new “14221” category—it’s for participants aged 14-21 and has a reduced entry fee of $60. New this season, Trek Women will be the official bike sponsor of the 2011 Iron Girl Series. And for the fifth year, Trek Women will be the official bike sponsor for the 2011 Danskin Series, the longest-running women’s triathlon series.

Visit Trekwomenstriathlonseries.com, Irongirl.com, Danskintriathlon.net or Sheroxtri.com for more information.

2011 Trek Women Triathlon Series
July 10 Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
Aug. 7 Howell, Mich.
Aug. 28 Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 4 Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 18 Seattle
Oct. 2 Austin, Texas

2011 Danskin Series
May 8 Orlando, Fla.
June 5 Austin, Texas
Aug. 14 Seattle
Aug. 21 Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
Sept. 11 Sandy Hook, N.J.
TBA Webster, Mass.
TBA Palm Springs, Calif.

2011 Iron Girl Series
April 10 Clearwater, Fla. (Run/walk)
April 30 Lake Las Vegas, Nev.
May 15 Atlanta
May 22 New Orleans
June 26 Portland, Ore.
July 31 Racine, Wis.
Aug. 7 Syracuse, N.Y.
Aug. 21 Columbia, Md.
Aug. 27 Boulder, Colo.
Sept. 11 Seattle, Wash. (Run/walk)
Sept. 18 Lake Tahoe South Shore, Calif.
Sept. 25 Bloomington, Minn. (Duathlon)
Nov. 6 Del Mar, Calif. (Run/walk)

2011 SheRox Triathlon Series race weekends
Naperville, Ill. – June 11-12
Aurora, Colo. – July 9-10
Federal Way, Wash. – July 9-10
Detroit – July 16-17
Webster, Mass. – TBD
Philadelphia – August 6-7
Asbury Park, N.J. – August 27-28
San Diego – October 15-16
Bermuda – November 5-6