2019 Life Time Tri Series Medal Sculpture

Life Time is proud to unveil a new finisher medal concept across the 2019 triathlon season, recognizing both indoor and outdoor triathletes, as well as encouraging multi-event participation.

All Life Time Tri finishers can celebrate their accomplishments in unison. Not only will Life Time’s outdoor tri finishers continue to receive a commemorative, 3.5″ finisher medal, but all 2019 Life Time Indoor Tri participants will receive a 3.5″ finisher coin when they continue their journey at one of Life Time’s signature outdoor triathlons. The concept applies to both individuals and relay teams alike.

In a unique twist, both the finisher coin and medals can be assembled to create a unique, silver-plated, 9.4″ tall water bottle display sculpture. The concept recognizes and rewards multi-race participation, where those who finish multiple outdoor events have the ability to “build” taller sculptures. Each event’s finisher medal creates a new layer in forming a complete bottle.

Note: The 2019 Life Time Tri CapTex medal design will be unveiled separately.

How It Works
The finished sculpture consists of three types of components, illustrated below:

  1. Indoor Tri Base Coin (1): Those who completed a 2019 winter or spring Life Time Indoor Tri event can earn a 3.5″ finisher coin, which can be used as the base foundation for the bottle sculpture.
  2. Outdoor Tri Finisher Medals (9): Participants have the ability to collect up to nine individual race finisher medals across the 2019 outdoor season, each of which forms a separate layer of the bottle. The medal designs are .75″ thick, similar to a hockey puck shape. Special grooves will ensure the medals remain neatly layered when laid on their side and stacked.
  3. Multi-Race Bottle Topper (1): Finally, the sculpture’s top portion is earned when athletes compete in two or more outdoor Tri Series events across the 2019 season. Read the Special Implications section below for more details.

How to Obtain the Components
The full sculpture consists of a maximum 11 unique pieces, exclusively issued from two points:

  • Pre-Race Expos: Both the Indoor Tri Coins and Multi-Race Bottle Toppers will be distributed from a Life Time Tri promotional booth located at each outdoor triathlon’s scheduled Expo or Packet Pick-Up. Upon visiting the booth, qualifying individuals must:
    • Indoor Tri Base Coins: Present proof of completing at least one of the 2019 Life Time Indoor Tri completion. Qualifiers are limited to a maximum of one coin each.
    • Multi-Race Bottle Toppers: Present proof of registration for a second 2019 Life Time outdoor triathlon. Qualifiers are limited to one topper each.
  • Finish Lines: Individual race finisher medals will be presented to all participants immediately after crossing the Finish Line. A total of eight regular finish medals will be available through the 2019 season, with an additional (ninth) medal available exclusively to Life Time Tri Series Championship event finishers:
    1. South Beach Triathlon (4.14)
    2. Life Time Tri CapTex (5.27)
    3. Life Time Tri Minneapolis (7.13)
    4. New York City Triathlon (7.21)
    5. Chicago Triathlon SuperSprint (8.24)
    6. Chicago Triathlon (8.25)
    7. Life Time Tri Tempe (9.15)
    8. Escape to Miami Triathlon (9.22)
    9. Life Time Tri Series Championship (7.21)

Special Implications
The special nature of the new medal concept will impact some markets in unique ways:

  • South Florida Athletes: Those enrolled in the Miami Challenge will automatically qualify for the Bottle Topper piece, which will be available at the South Beach Triathlon Packet Pick-Up. Proof of the 2019 Escape to Miami Triathlon registration must be presented.
  • Chicagoland Athletes: Those competing in both the (Saturday) SuperSprint and (Sunday) Sprint/International events, as well as all Triple Challenge participants, will automatically qualify for the Bottle Topper piece.
  • Life Time Tri Series Championship Athletes: Championship event finishers will receive two separate medals (both the New York City Triathlon and Championship events).
  • Life Time Tri Series 7-Pack Purchasers: Those who enrolled in the inaugural Series 7-Pack program are in a great position to build those bottles!

Additional Details
Qualifying individuals do not need to pre-register or enroll in any type of formal program. Simply show-up on-site at each race venue to claim your bling.

Both Indoor Triathlons Base Coins and Multi-Race Bottle Toppers will be available at the Life Time Tri promotional booth. Quantities are limited to the first 1,000 and 500 individuals respectively.

Components must be picked-up exclusively in person at each event (they cannot be mailed) on an individual basis only. Just like the standard packet pick-up process, participants are not allowed to pick-up components for others. No exceptions will be made.

The medal distribution applies to individual and relay team participants at any distance, subject to each event’s registration capacities. Each relay team member must submit proof of participation in another event to claim their components.

As the 2019 tri season commences, we plan to keep tabs on those athletes with the tallest bottles to date, rewarding the ultimate winners with big swag, complimentary 2020 race entry and lots of bragging rights!  We want to know: #HowBigIsYourBottle?

Should you have other questions about the 2019 medal concept, please don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected].
Otherwise, get ready for a BIG season of bling!

What To Expect in the 2018 Life Time Tri Series

 

The 2018 Life Time Tri season is about to get interesting…

If you haven’t heard yet, we’re taking some bold steps next year, launching a myriad of new initiatives that the industry hasn’t yet seen.

Our goal is to make the sport of triathlon a bit more friendly for new athletes, as well as enhance the experience of our seasoned veterans.

Why? It’s simple. We need to bring new life to short course triathlon.

Like any industry, if we’re to remain relevant to our existing marketplace, or even consider tapping into new audiences, we’ve got to adapt. We must find ways to convince veterans to have another go. We must invent opportunities for millennials to consider short course triathlon in their evoked set of personal activities.

While we’ll continue producing high-value events in iconic destinations, no longer can our incredible team label ourselves as “event producers.” Instead, we now consider ourselves to be in the Athlete Development business. Each of us are responsible for motivating, educating and physically preparing our customers for the challenge at hand. Make no mistake, this is all heavy lifting – and it’s needed.

After 12+ years in this sport, we continue to believe that short course triathlon still has its place in the endurance universe. We want to inspire and influence the multisport lifestyle for years to come, which is why our 2018 season will focus on these four initiatives:

  • We will simplify our approach.
  • We will increase accessibility to the party.
  • We will incorporate convenience into our sport.
  • We will rekindle the fun factor.

Allow me to explain…

Simplify
Let’s start with pricing. This year, all event prices include both registration fees and insurance. If you’ve ever attempted to explain the concept of secondary participant coverage fees to a non-triathlete, you understand.

Then, there’s the inclusion of both Coaches and Race Officials at each of our 2018 races. If you participated in our 2017 events, you likely observed the “Ask A Coach” booth at the Expo. This will be a standard next year, staffed by race-familiar experts whose duty is to offer complimentary, face to face guidance – from education to motivation, whatever it takes to reduce confusion and/or enhance the athlete experience.

Speaking of our Race Officials, you may notice something a bit different from them in 2018: actual athlete interaction. New penalty assessment is here. Gone are the days of being surprised with 2 or 4-minute additions to your finish times. Now, should an Official experience a rule infraction, they will automatically communicate with the offender – who will subsequently be directed to a penalty tent placed beyond T2. Much like Ironman and ITU, athletes will serve time penalties while on-course. Once they cross the finish line, there are no modifications to timing – which alleviates many historic awards ceremony issues. Stay tuned for full details on the 2018 rules.

Accessibility
Our goal is to make triathlon more diverse and more appealing to the masses. That means we need to be prepared to offset typical barriers to entry, often educational, physical training or financially-focused.

As for education, we will continue to offer free programs in every market, from Tri101 webinars, to fully-immersive first-timers’ programs. We will also offer physical training options, from online training plans to complimentary swim clinics to comprehensive (fee-based) in-club coached sessions. Of course, we’ll continue to support Women For Tri, local Para Tri organizations, inner-city development programs, and others looking to expand triathlon’s reach.

We’re also excited about our new scholarship program. We get it – triathlons are not cheap! To support those in financial need, Life Time Tri is proud to introduce a unique program to ease the possible financial burden. Twelve race entries will be donated across each of our events. Learn more.

Indoor Triathlons return on January 21, 2018. This national event series is the ultimate promotional opportunity for our sport. Last year, more than 6,000 individuals (the majority with zero triathlon experience) participated in the 10-minute swim, 30-minute bike and 20-minute run events. At only $30 each, these are hot commodities (and each limited to 100 participants). Like our outdoor races, registration opens November 1. Details here.

By the way, the 2018 2XU New York City Triathlon returns to general entry this year. Gone is the lottery process, which started back in 2010. With 4,000 slots up for grabs, and now accessible to a first-come, first-served audience, this race will quickly sell out.

Convenience
Simply put, triathlon is anything but convenient. Tons of gear. Early mornings. Long waits. This sport can test anyone’s patience. Where we can, we’ll expand the model in place at the Chicago Triathlon, with flexible transition access, allowing for late check-ins or early check-outs.

In 2018, we will offer beginner-friendly starts at all races. During registration, participants will notice a new set of “race divisions,” where they select from either Competitive or Recreational groups. These new divisions (e.g. First-Timers, Friends + Family) will begin at separate times from the often intense, veteran triathletes. Allowing athletes to start with, and participate alongside, others of their choosing is long overdue. Further, some events will feature “Early Bird” or “Late Owl” start options – scheduled at the extreme ends of the day. Because these individuals are taken out of typical Age Groups, they are designated as Recreational athletes, thus not eligible for competitive awards. Capacities will vary by event.

Another convenience we’re incorporating into select event is race day Packet Pick Up. Available to the first 25 individuals at South Beach, CapTex, Minneapolis and Tempe (more races to come), athletes will be able to skip the Expo and check-in on race morning – a huge convenience for those with busy weekend plans, or those hoping to avoid hotels. A $25 convenience fee will apply.

The Fun Factor
If we’re not having fun, what’s the point?  We’re taking a stand, rolling-up our sleeves and mandating that everyone enjoy themselves while participating in our events! Sure, it’s OK to be (a bit) serious, but in the end, we want to see your smiling faces at the finish line. Staff and volunteers will be there to greet you, and to properly “knight” you with some new hardware. Through our partners at Athlinks, we’ll eventually be able to celebrate first-timer finishes and PRs, too – right in the finish chute!

Last week, we debuted the 4-person Mixed Relay competition in San Diego – to rave reviews! In the near future, we plan to unveil more experimental race formats like this, offering unique iterations of the classic swim-bike-run format. Chicago’s Triple Challenge will certainly return in 2018, as well as a new “Double” format in select markets.

Finally, it doesn’t get more exciting that the 2018 Life Time Tri Championship event, held within the 2018 2XU NYC Tri on July 1. We’re recognizing and rewarding the fastest athletes across the Life Time Tri Series with a blowout in NYC! Free biking shipping, a $50K prize purse and VIP access is only the beginning. Two qualifying races remain: South Beach (with expanded qualification standards [6-deep] due to Escape to Miami’s cancellation) and CapTex in Austin.

 

So, that’s our plan. We realize this is a lot, but it’s all necessary. Necessity stimulates innovation. Innovation leads to growth. Or so we hope.

Over the next 13 days, and forthcoming weeks and months, we’ll continue to deep dive into each of these innovative programs, philosophies and opportunities. Meanwhile, mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 1 at noon when registration opens for all 2018 events.

Let’s do this!

Scott “Hootie” Hutmacher
Brand Manager, LIFE TIME Tri

Registration Now Open for the 2017 Life Time Tri Series

We invite you to join us as we #CommitToTri in 2017!

Each event features an International distance course, which consists of a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike and a 10-kilometer run (distances may vary slightly by location). Select events also offer Sprint, SuperSprint and Kids Triathlon courses of shorter, varying distances.

 

2017 Life Time Tri Series Race Schedule

Event

Date

Register

Life Time Tri South Beach

April 2, 2017

Register Now

Life Time Tri Marquee

April 9, 2017

Register Now

Life Time Tri CapTex

May 29, 2017

Register Now

Life Time Tri Minneapolis

July 8, 2017

Register Now

New York City Triathlon

July 16, 2017

Register Now

Transamerica Chicago Triathlon

August 27, 2017

Register Now

Mack Cycle Escape to Miami Triathlon

September 24, 2017

Register Now

 

To register or learn more about any of the 2017 Life Time Tri events, visit www.LifeTimeTri.com. Stay updated with the latest information by following @LifeTimeTri on Twitter and the Life Time Tri Facebook page.

Commit to Tri with Life Time’s Premier Triathlon Series in 2016

Registration for 10 Life Time Tri Series events opens today at LifeTimeTri.com

In 2015, more than 28,000 athletes from 10 to 82 years young realized their triathlon goals — from accomplishing their first triathlon to celebrating their triathlon PR — in one of the most successful Life Time Tri Series to date. More than 16 percent of those participants were first-time triathletes and thirty-seven percent of participants were women, a 7 percent increase in female participants from 2014.

Growing the sport of triathlon across the U.S. remains a top priority for Life TimeSM, The Healthy Way of Life Company as registration for ten 2016 Life Time Tri events opens today, Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 12 p.m. CDT. Lottery registration for the Panasonic New York City Triathlon will open on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

In total, Life Time Tri will host 11 events throughout 2016, featuring some of the most prominent triathlons in the U.S. including the Panasonic New York City Triathlon and the world’s largest triathlon — the Transamerica Chicago Triathlon. Life Time will also commemorate the rich heritage of three events celebrating a large milestone this year: Life Time Tri Boulder Peak (25th annual), Life Time Tri CapTex (25th anniversary) and the Life Time Tri Minneapolis (15th annual).

2016 Life Time Tri Series Race Schedule

Event Date Register
Life Time Tri South Beach April 3, 2016 Register Now
Life Time Tri Marquee April 10, 2016 Register Now
Life Time Tri CapTex May 30, 2016 Register Now
Life Time Tri Trinona June 12, 2016 Register Now
Life Time Tri Minneapolis July 9, 2016 Register Now
Life Time Tri Boulder Peak July 10, 2016 Register Now
Panasonic New York City Triathlon July 24, 2016 Lottery Opens Nov. 1
Life Time Tri Maple Grove August 27, 2016 Register Now
Transamerica Chicago Triathlon August 28, 2016 Register Now
Life Time Tri Tempe September 18, 2016 Register Now
Mack Cycle Escape to Miami Triathlon September 25, 2016 Register Now

 

Each event features an International distance course, which consists of a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike and a 10-kilometer run (distances may vary by location). Select events also offer Sprint, Super Sprint and Kids Triathlon courses of shorter, varying distances. International distance triathlons will continue to be the exclusive short distance contributors to IRONMAN® Age Group Ranking and IRONMAN All World AthleteTM programs.

To support additional growth in the sport of triathlon, Life Time offers a variety of free and fee-based training options at its 117 destinations nationwide that help prepare athletes of all fitness levels for triathlon. Complimentary educational seminars and race simulations, along with Life Time Endurance Coaching, Starting Line 101 Clinics, Triathlon Training Camps, Life Time Tri Team Training and Indoor Triathlon Hour events provide the valuable tools athletes need to ensure race day success.

Back by popular demand, registration for Indoor Triathlon Hour powered by Life Time Tri Series and IRONMAN is now open at www.indoortri.com. Hosted at more than 80 Life Time locations nationwide, the event is an ideal opportunity for beginners to experience the sport in a non-threatening indoor environment and for those seeking an endurance tune-up.

Again in 2016, select Life Time Tri Series events will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Throughout the 2015 season, Life Time Tri participants raised more than $400,000 for this important cause. Participants in 2016 are encouraged to raise funds for St. Jude and can qualify for benefits such as free race entry and race day hospitality.

To register or learn more about any of the 2016 Life Time Tri events, visit www.LifeTimeTri.com. Stay updated with the latest information by following @LifeTimeTri on Twitter and by liking the Life Time Tri Facebook page.