Courtesy: event press release

The Pan American Triathlon Organizing Committee (PATCO), the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the Grand Columbian Triathlon Local Organizing Committee are pleased to announce that the Grand Columbian Triathlon has been selected as the 2006/2007 ITU Pan American Long Distance Triathlon Championships. The Pan American Long Distance Championships have been developed as part of the inaugural ITU Long Distance World Series for Elite and Age-Group athletes and will be held on September 16, 2006 in Grand Coulee Dam, Washington USA.

The Pan American Long Distance Championships - both elite and age-group - will be contested at the ITU triple triathlon "Nice" distance of 4K/120K/30K on one of the most beautiful long courses in the Americas. The Grand Columbian Triathlon has gained notoriety due to its exceptional community support, race organization and amazing venue. The championships are being presented by the Grand Coulee Dam Chamber of Commerce and Total Health Events as principal financial sponsors.

Elite athletes will be vying for a $15,000 prize purse and coveted ITU Long Distance World Series ranking points. Age-group athletes from all the Pan American countries will be able to qualify directly for the 2006 ITU Long Distance World Championships being held November 19 in Canberra, Australia. As the continental championships for the ITU Long Distance World Series -- the top five finishing athletes in each age-group will qualify for the Australia championships.

Loreen Barnett, executive director of the ITU stated, "We are extremely pleased to have a race of this caliber and commitment become part of the ITU Long Distance World Series. The Grand Columbian Local Organizing committee has demonstrated its wholehearted investment in creating an exceptional long distance triathlon in every facet from athlete support, community enthusiasm, and professional event management. We are looking forward to seeing all the PATCO athletes thrive at this event in the years to come"

The Pan-American Championships will be part of a complete long distance event weekend. The Half Iron distance will be part of the USA Triathlon Long Distance Grand Prix series and a qualifier for age-group athletes for the 2007 USAT Halfmax Long Distance National Championships.

For more information about entering, volunteering or sponsoring the Grand Columbian triathlon see the website at www.thegrandcolumbian.com. Contact Jonathan Hoskins Race Director at info@thegrandcolumbian.com. For more information on the ITU Long Distance World Series see the ITU website at www.triathlon.org or contact Chirs.Kitchen@btclick.com ITU Long Distance world Series coordinator.