Courtesy: USAT

The 2007 and 2008 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships will be held at Hagg Lake, just outside Portland, Oregon, USAT Executive Director Skip Gilbert announced today.

The 2007 event is scheduled for Saturday, June 30. The 2008 race date is yet to be determined.

The Age Group National Championships is one of the most competitive amateur triathlons contested at the Olympic distance (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) in the United States. Close to 1,000 athletes, representing all 50 states, compete each year for their chance to be crowned a national champion. This is only the second time the race has been held in the Pacific Northwest (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 2001 and 2002). The 2006 event was held at Smithville Lake outside Kansas City, Mo.

"In searching for the next great home for USAT's National Championship in age group triathlon, we looked for a community that truly reflected the multi-sport lifestyle," said Gilbert. "We found that and more in Portland. We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing the Super Bowl of our sport to the city and hopeful that the community will respond with the same level of excitement in welcoming our country's best."

Hagg Lake has a long relationship with multi-sport. In 1982, The Hagg Lake Triathlon, known for its scenic and challenging course, was one of the stops on the six-city Bud Light Triathlon Series Tour, which criss-crossed the country through the mid-90s and played an integral part in jumpstarting the sport of triathlon in the Northwest.

The winning bid was submitted by the Oregon Sports Authority, whose mission is to define the state of Oregon as the preferred location for select amateur and professional sports events. They have hosted events such as the 2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer and this weekend's Dew Action Sports Tour, among others, bringing more than $100 million to the Oregon economy.

"We're delighted that our nation's finest triathletes will have the opportunity to compete within the majestic beauty of Oregon as we host the USAT Age Group National Championships," said Drew Mahalic, executive director of the Oregon Sports Authority. "We anticipate that these Championships will set a new standard of excellence in athletic performance and satisfaction among the triathletes. We are honored that USAT selected the Oregon Sports Authority to serve as the host."

The event will once again be the sole qualifier for ITU World Championships. The 2007 Worlds are scheduled for September 1-2 in Hamburg, Germany. The top 16 in each age group will qualify.