Hy-Vee Triathlon

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The Hy-Vee Triathlon was an Olympic-distance triathlon race held in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. From 2011–2014, the race served as the World Triathlon Corporation's 5150 Series U.S. Championships.[1] Previously, it was part of the ITU Triathlon World Cup series from 2008 to 2010.[2] The annual triathlon event attracted many of the top professional triathletes in the world due, in part, to having the largest prize purse awarded for Olympic-distance races in the sport[3] (and from 2008–12, the largest in the sport overall[4][5]). In addition to professional triathletes, the triathlon event features competition among amateur athletes as well.

History

The first edition of the event, held June 17, 2007, featured the largest prize in triathlon history, at $200,000 each for the men's and women's elite winners through organizer and presenting sponsor Hy-Vee, a regional grocer. Approximately 10,000 spectators came downtown to the event, which was held in downtown Des Moines, swimming at Gray's Lake and finishing at the Iowa State Capitol.

The 2008 edition, held June 22, served as the final United States qualifier for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Due to flooding, it was moved to West Des Moines.[6] Initially, there was uncertainty about its Olympic-qualifying status, as bacteria levels in nearby Blue Heron Lake left the swimming option in questionable status. However, officials confirmed that there would be swimming.[7] As part of the Olympic qualifying Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haskins claimed the final United States Olympic spots as Rasmus Henning and three-time World Champion Emma Snowsill were the overall winners.

In 2011, the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announced that the Hy-Vee triathlon would serve as the site for its 5150 Series U.S. Championships. The race will have the largest prize purse in triathlon, with $1 million total being paid out and $151,500 going to the men and women’s winners.[8] The race was moved from June to Labor Day weekend and returned downtown after three years in West Des Moines.

In 2013, Hy-Vee announced that it was reducing the total purse from $1.1 million to $500,000. The men's and women's winners received $100,000 each with $20,000 going to 2nd place and $15,000 to third.[9]

Hy-Vee opted to discontinue the event following the 2014 edition.[10]

Results

Men's winners

Year Athlete Country/State Time Location Notes
2007 Henning, RasmusRasmus Henning  Denmark 1:50:04 Des Moines Inaugural race
2008 Henning, RasmusRasmus Henning (2)  Denmark 1:54:21 West Des Moines race moved to West Des Moines due to flooding
2009 Whitfield, SimonSimon Whitfield  Canada 1:49:43 West Des Moines Course record
2010 Don, TimTim Don  United Kingdom 1:50:20 West Des Moines
2011 Bennett, GregGreg Bennett  Australia 1:47:37 Des Moines
2012[11] Gómez, JavierJavier Gómez  Spain 1:51:21 Des Moines Swim course moved to Gray's Lake due to low river water levels
2013 Gómez, JavierJavier Gómez (2)  Spain 1:45:57 Des Moines Entire course at Gray's Lake
2014 Kemper, HunterHunter Kemper  United States 1:44:43 Des Moines

Women's winners

Year Athlete Nation Time Location Notes
2007 Bennett, LauraLaura Bennett  United States 2:04:3 Des Moines Inaugural race
2008 Snowsill, EmmaEmma Snowsill  Australia 2:03:15 West Des Moines Course moved to West Des Moines due to flooding
2009 Moffat, EmmaEmma Moffatt  Australia 1:59:46 West Des Moines Course record
2010 Snowsill, EmmaEmma Snowsill (2)  Australia 1:59.34 West Des Moines Course record
2011 Nordén, LisaLisa Nordén  Sweden 1:59:12 Des Moines
2012[11] Nordén, LisaLisa Nordén (2)  Sweden 2:01:59 Des Moines Swim course moved to Gray's Lake due to low river water levels
2013 Moffat, EmmaEmma Moffatt (2)  Australia 1:57:04 Des Moines Entire course held at Gray's Lake
2014 Frederiksen , HelleHelle Frederiksen  Denmark 1:54:44 Des Moines

References

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  3. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130825/SPORTS/308260031/Hy-Vee-Triathlon-Here-s-five-things-to-watch-this-year?Frontpage
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  9. http://triathlon.competitor.com/2013/04/news/hy-vee-elite-cup-halves-pro-prize-purse_73173
  10. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2015/02/10/hy-vee-triathlon-racing-des-moines/23183423/
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External links