Courtesy: USAT

A suggestion from a USA Triathlon member has led to a pilot race series that takes the tri out of triathlon.

Nine half-Ironman and Ironman distance races have agreed to participate in the USA Triathlon Aquabike Series. Athletes who participate in the races will complete the swim and the bike, but will not have to do the run.

The series is designed to appeal to those older athletes for whom running might be painful, or to injured athletes who still want to compete.

Dean Peterson, a USA Triathlon member from Peoria, Ariz., who recently completed his first Ironman-distance race, came up with the idea approximately five years ago while talking to the instructor of a triathlon class at a local community college.

"I wondered why I didn't see him out at any events," Peterson said. "He said he had had serious knee problems and could no longer do the running.

"I asked him, 'If there was something that was just the swim and the bike, would you do that?' He replied, 'In a heartbeat.' "

During the next five years, Peterson said he approached more than 100 people - from age 20 to 80 - at various events with his idea, and most were very positive.

"I thought, 'let's give some people the opportunity to do two- thirds of the race and still be happy with what they did.' Not everybody likes to run," Peterson said. "Maybe five or 10 years, I won't be running."

Peterson brought his idea to Mike Greer, interim executive director of USA Triathlon and founder of the Buffalo Springs Half-Ironman Triathlon. Greer "ran" with the idea and found eight race directors to join him.

"This will be a pilot program in 2005 and will not be included in the national rankings," Greer said. "However USAT is encouraging the race directors in each of these pilot races to offer appropriate age group breakdowns and awards in each."

The participating races will be:

Halfmax Triathlon (June 5, 2005; Innsbrook, Mo.; www.ultramaxtri.com/index.php)

Eagleman Half Ironman (June 12, 2005; Cambridge, Md.; www.tricolumbia.org)

Buffalo Springs Lake Half Ironman (June 26, 2005; Lubbock, Texas; www.buffalospringslaketriathlon.com)

Steelhead Half Ironman (Aug. 6, 2005; Berrien County, Texas; www.steelheadtriathlon.com)

Full Vineman (Aug. 13, 2005; Sonoma County, Calif.; www.vineman.com)

Greater Cleveland Triathlon (Aug. 13-14; Cleveland, Ohio)

CATS Half Iron Tri (Aug. 20, 2005; DeGray Lake, Arkadelphia, Ark.; www.dltmultisport.com)

Vermont Journey Half Ironman (Aug. 28, 2005; Salisbury, Vt.; www.vermontsun.com/halfvermontjourney/index.html)

Prairie Man Long Course Triathlon (Sept. 11, 2005; Grand Prairie, Texas; www.ironheadrp.com)

If your area is not covered by one of these races, please request that your local half Ironman race add this division.