Missouri Bicycle News

Kansas City, Mo., will host the 2005 USA Triathlon National Age Group Championship on July 9, USA Triathlon announced on Tuesday. This year's national championship will be owned by USA Triathlon, produced by Mark Livesay of Ultramax Events and supported by the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation. . . .

The event will take place at Smithville Lake, amid rolling hills and grasslands. The race site is located about 10 miles from the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and 17 miles from downtown Kansas City.

At the beginning of December, USA Triathlon was in final contract negotiations with an eastern city to host the national championships. Unfortunately, that city pulled out of the negotiations at the last minute, forcing officials to find other possibilities. After discussions with various cities and top race directors across the country, the USA Triathlon Board of Directors voted to give the championship to Kansas City, which pulled together the necessary resources at the last minute.

"Kansas City and Mark Livesay really came through for us," said USA Triathlon Interim Executive Director Mike Greer. "USA Triathlon will now focus on making this event the best possible championship."