Membership has it's Privileges

author : Ontherun

comments : 0

Most triathlons in America are held under USA Triathlon sanctioning. Last year I finally got a national ranking. Here are a few reasons to join.

If you have ever raced, or are planning on racing in a triathlon or duathlon in the United States, you will most likely be required to join the USA Triathlon (USAT) organization. USAT is the national sanctioning body for most triathlons and duathlons in the United States.

Many competitors, like myself, opt to pay for the one-day membership of $9 per race to cover their obligations to the race organizers. This one-day membership is to help cover a few expenses that result from being a USAT sanctioned race. USAT sanctioned races use the USAT rules for safety and fair play. The membership also includes an umbrella insurance policy during the race.

As an alternative you can also join USAT for as little as $30 for the whole year. This has some additional benefits. First is the obvious—if you are going to race in more than 3 USAT races, you will receive a savings over the $9 per race one-day membership. If you have already signed up for a race with the one-day fee, you can apply the fee towards a full membership.

To me the biggest part about joining USAT is the national ranking. I have never been nationally ranked in anything in my entire life, until this year. For that matter, I do not know many people outside of tri that have obtained a national ranking for anything. Obtaining a national ranking is easier than you may think. First, you join USAT as a member for the year. Next, race in 3 USAT sanctioned events, and finish with official times. That is it! That is how I managed to get my first ever national ranking!

As triathletes, many of us like to compete against ourselves. But others want to compete against everyone. I tend to compete against myself, but my new USAT ranking allows me to judge my efforts on a national scale. I knew I was a back of the packer, and I am trying to get better. Now I have a new barometer to judge how I am doing.

If a national ranking means nothing to you, still consider joining as an annual member. USAT is the sanctioning body for most of our triathlons, but also works with the US Olympic committee to help train or next generation of Olympic athletes. The future of triathlons and duathlons are guided by USAT.

*One disclaimer, Ironman North America, along with the Ironman corporation, formed its own sanctioning body for races under the Ironman corporate logo. There are many reasons for this, but I only include this so people can know that a separate one-day race membership will be needed for Ironman races under their corporate flag.

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date: March 5, 2006