HITS Triathlon Series Launches! First to Feature Five Distances and Year-Round Events

SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HITS, Inc. today announced the HITS Triathlon Series, the first race series to feature five distances at each event, with events taking place at unique destinations every month of the year. Designed for seasoned triathletes as well as first-timers, HITS Triathlon Series offers A distance for everyone!™

“I’ve seen the sport of triathlon grow tremendously in the last decade and believe that the HITS Triathlon Series will open the sport to countless others.”

HITS, Inc. is also proud to announce that six-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott will serve as a key advisor and spokesperson for the HITS Triathlon Series. Scott will also provide custom training programs, tips and more for race participants. “HITS Triathlon events are the best option for triathletes who want to race competitively in a single category or challenge themselves with a greater distance,” said Scott. “I’ve seen the sport of triathlon grow tremendously in the last decade and believe that the HITS Triathlon Series will open the sport to countless others.”

Unlike other triathlon events, HITS Triathlon Series events include five distances during a single weekend ranging from the beginner in the HITS Open to the experienced triathlete in the USAT sanctioned Sprint, Olympic, Half and Full distances. The HITS Open is a free novice participatory triathlon that will feature a 100-meter swim, a 3-mile bike and 1-mile run created especially for first-timers who never thought that competing in a triathlon was possible. The HITS promise of A distance for everyone!^TM assures a challenging course geared to the unique level of training, endurance and personal goals of participants.

“USA Triathlon is excited to support a major race series that will appeal to age-group triathletes as well as those new to the sport,” said Rob Urbach, CEO of USA Triathlon. “HITS Triathlon Series’ wide range of distances, including a free HITS Open category for novices, demonstrates its commitment to growing the sport of triathlon. We are thrilled to add them to our roster of USA Triathlon-sanctioned events.”

The first triathlon series with an event every month of the year, the HITS Triathlon series takes place at 12 exceptional locations culminating with a National Championship in Palm Springs, California, on December 1-2, 2012. Specific locations and dates include:


Date	Location
December 3-4 (2011)	Palm Springs, CA
January 7-8 (2012)	Naples, FL
February 18-19	Corpus Christi, TX
March 24-25	Ocala, FL
April 28-29	Marble Falls, TX
May 12-13	Napa Valley, CA
June 9-10	Hunter Mountain, NY
July 28-29	Galena, IL
August 25-26	Cable, WI
September 22-23	Cooperstown, NY
October 2012	TBD
November 10-11	Lake Havasu City, AZ
December 1-2	Palm Springs, CA

The HITS Triathlon Series was founded by Tom Struzzieri, an avid triathlete and successful event entrepreneur who created the largest equine show jumping production company in the world and has been running world-class events since 1977; and Mark H. Wilson, a highly accomplished triathlete and coach with more than 20 years of experience. The HITS Triathlon Series is also supported by Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., one of the nation’s preeminent private equity firms with approximately $9 billion in equity capital under management. Leverage Agency, a leading sports, entertainment and media marketing firm, is managing all marketing and sponsorship opportunities.

“With the HITS Triathlon Series we are setting out to change the landscape of high-end triathlons by giving athletes access to well-run, multi-distance events in great locations all year round,” said Struzzieri. “There’s no question that there is a great deal of pent up demand for triathlons and we believe with the introduction of our series the days of planning your life a year in advance in order to register for the full and half distances are over. Our formula of offering all five distances may strike some as a challenge, but we see it as a great opportunity to bring the community of athletes together for an extraordinary event and we expect it to be a winning approach.”

Registration is now open for the HITS Triathlon Series at www.hitstriathlonseries.com.

About HITS, Inc.

HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing endurance sports events and hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS is dedicated to creating high-quality events in desirable destinations with unmatched, professional operations. For more information about the HITS Triathlon Series, please visit www.hitstriathlonseries.com.