ITU Long Distance Worlds Goes to Oklahoma City in 2016
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) today announced that USA Triathlon, Friends of Multisport, Inc. and the Redman Triathlon have been awarded the 2016 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, to be held in Oklahoma City, Okla.
In September 2016, elite and age-group triathletes will compete for world titles on a 4-kilometer swim, 120-kilometer bike, 30-kilometer run course. Elites will also be vying for a piece of the $90,000 prize purse, to be split equally between the men and women. The Redman Triathlon has been held at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City for the past decade, featuring a calm lake swim, rolling hills on the bike covering both urban and rural views of Oklahoma City and a closed run course around the lake.
“The fact that we are able to secure local organizing committees so far in advance is a strong indicator in both the popularity of ITU races and the growth of the sport,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. “We are thrilled to again work with USA Triathlon to host the championships, as they’ve proven to be an excellent federation that produces top-tier events.”
“USA Triathlon is honored to have been selected as the host National Federation for another important ITU World Championship,” said Bob Wendling, USA Triathlon President. “We look forward to inviting the world’s top long-course athletes to Oklahoma and working closely with our respected partners, ITU and the Redman Triathlon organizing committee.”
“Our supportive city and dynamic venue will proudly host a world-class event offering a level of competition and excitement that is becoming commonplace in our growing and vibrant city,” said Dave Wood, President and Chairman at Friends of Multisport and race director for Redman Triathlon.
This will be the third time the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships will be held in the US. In 2011, the event was held in Henderson, Nev. and in 1996 it was held in Muncie, Ind. Chicago is set to join the ITU World Triathlon Series this year before hosting the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final and Age Group Triathlon World Championships in 2015.
The 2014 Long Distance Triathlon World Championships will be held in Weihai, China on September 21, while the 2015 event will be in Motala, Sweden.
