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A new women’s triathlon comes to town
First Danskin, now Trek?
Trek Bicycle has signed on as title sponsor of a new women’s triathlon series that will be staged in 12 cities — including Austin — in 2009.
According to a press release sent out today, the Trek Women’s Triathlon Series is aimed at breaking down barriers for female athletes by providing a fun, supportive and non-intimidating atmosphere for athletes.
Sound familiar? That’s because Danskin has been doing the same thing with its Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series since 1989.
Like the Danskin, the Trek Tri will be a sprint distance race, with a half-mile swim, 12-mile bike and 3-mile run.
Does this mean the Danskin Women’s Triathlon is going away?
No, say the Danskin officials.
But check this: Trek also announced that Maggie Sullivan, director of the Danskin Women’s Triathlon from 1992-2008, will serve as director of the new Trek Women’s Triathlon. And Sally Edwards, long the spokeswoman for the Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series and author of 22 books on triathlon and fitness training, is making the switch, too. She’ll be the spokeswoman of the new Trek Women’s Triathlon. (That’s her at the center of the photo above, cheering on athletes before the swim portion of the race.)
A final 2009 race schedule will be announced next month.
For information on the Trek Women’s Triathlon Series, go to www.trekwomenstriathlonseries.com.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment Categories: Triathlon
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By Cari B.
November 20, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this
I read something on a tri blog today from a press release from Danskin. Their triathlon is still on like they said. I checked out the triathlon page on the Danskin site and there is some info about 2009. It also happens to be the 20th anniversary of the Danskin series.
By Pam LeBlanc
November 20, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this
Pam LeBlanc here. You are correct. I’ve spoken with Danskin officials and they say they still plan to have a Danskin Women’s Tri in Austin in 2009. Date has not been announced yet, but should be before the end of the year. Stay posted for details.
By jill sander
January 27, 2009 7:24 AM | Link to this
So, it isn’t the Danskin anymore — it is a SheRox tri. I keep trying to get confirm about what is happening but they don’t return emails. It looks like they sold to sehrox. it is the Sherox logo and all.?????
By Astronomer Triathlete
February 2, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
I’m totally confused by all of this. It inspires more questions, why the split and not just add more series, did Trek want to be a title sponsor of something, why not bring the Tri series to other series or pick dates that aren’t near other tri series (i.e., CapTexTri or Danskin), is Danskin going away after this year and they are just transitioning with two separate series?
I think that the powers at be don’t realize that triathletes always have a soft spot for their first tri and want to know the full scoop.
By jill Sander
February 9, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this
I think the Danskin is going away — they will partner this year with SheRox and then next year it will just be SheRox…..that is the only thing I can imagine. Otherwise why change the name and management of your series?
By amy kelly
February 18, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this
There is no Danskin — they just closed their manufacturing place and distribution center. Laid off close to 300 women. How do you have a triathlon when you lay off 300 people. Will there be a triathlon???