The Grand Rapids Triathlon was honored by having its 2014 event chosen as the site of the USA Triathlon (USAT) Long Course National Championships.
Eight hundred triathletes from all over the United States came to Grand Rapids on June 13 to compete for their one chance to make it onto Team USA to compete in Motala, Sweden, on June 27, 2015. These athletes participated in the half-distance triathlon (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run) in hopes of placing in the top 20 in their age group. All who managed to do just that were offered the opportunity to join Team USA in Sweden for the World Championships. If there was room left, the offer was rolled down to those who finished up to 25th in their age group. Dozens of Michigan athletes managed to place in the top of their age divisions, but fourteen of them took up the USAT on the offer and decided to head to Sweden this summer to be part of the Long Course World Championship.
"This course will push our Team USA athletes the extra mile (or a few more) with a swim of 2.48 miles, bike of 74.5 miles, run of 18.6 miles" said Ann Vidro, co-director.
Team USA:
Shelley Irwin, 54 – Grand Rapids
Kim Albin, 42 – DeWitt
Kristen Zhang, 26 – Grand Rapids
AJ Herbel, 26 – Grand Rapids
Brandon Thorpe, 22 – Cassopolis
Rita Messing, 38 – Harbor Beach
Brandy Woodall Ritter, 44 – Shelby Township
Dan Lynch, 35 – Novi
Kathleen Spillane, 58 – Chelsea
Ryan Leestma, 35 – Caledonia
Erin Ferguson, 36 – Lake Ann
Martha Ying, 50 – Birmingham
Jonathan Ely, 47 – Port Huron
Mary Eyke, 41 – Muskegon
