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Youth, Junior & U23 Development#

Junior triathlete Reese Vannerson crosses the finish tape at Youth and Junior Nationals. (Photo by Archi Trujillo)

Developing the future of the sport#

With several programs for Youth, Junior and U23 athletes, USA Triathlon is here to support the development of young athletes as they dream, plan and reach their goals.

  • Youth & Junior Elite

    Talented Youth (ages 13-15) and Junior (ages 16-19) athletes have the opportunity to learn from the best USA Triathon Certified Coaches, join a high performance team and race elite competition to help fuel their development in the sport.

    Most Junior Elites are encouraged to finish out their eligibility in the junior division before advancing to the U23 races, which are often competed at the longer Olympic-distance.

    Learn more below and for more information, please email juniors@usatriathlon.org.


  • U23

    The Under-23 or “U23” division is a bridge between Junior Elite, Collegiate (Draft-Legal) and Elite competition. To compete in the U23 division, an athlete must hold a USAT Elite License and be between the ages of 18 and 23 as of Dec. 31 of the competition year. Most U23 races are subdivisions within World Triathlon Continental Cups.

    U23 athletes compete in draft-legal races at the sprint-distance (750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run) and Olympic-distance (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run).

    Athletes interested in racing U23 are encouraged to start with USA Triathlon's designated U23 Elite and National Triathlon Development Races (U23/NTDR), collegiate draft-legal events, and NCAA Women's events.  



Event

Date

Location

Texas Draft-Legal Triathlon Festival

April 13, 2025

Fort Worth, TX

East Coast Triathlon Festival

May 4, 2025

Richmond, VA

Pleasant Prairie Cup

June 1, 2025

Pleasant Prairie, WI

Jenny Lee Tri Cup

June 14-15

Beaver Falls, PA

Flatland Cup Triathlon

July 13, 2025

West Des Moines, IA

Youth and Junior Nationals

Aug. 1-3, 2025

West Chester, OH


2025 National Triathlon Talent Development Race Series

2025 Triathlon Talent Development Race Series provides competitive draft-legal race opportunities in the U.S. for Elite Development athletes to earn a USA Triathlon Elite License and gain valuable experience.

Non-elites over the age of 25 may be permitted to race if and when USAT and the Race Director determine that space is available in the field.


Event

Date

Location

Tritonman

Jan. 25, 2025

Mission Bay, CA

Clermont Draft Legal Challenge

March 1-2, 2025

Clermont, FL

East Coast Triathlon Festival

May 4, 2025

RIchmond, VA

Jenny Lee Tri Cup

June 14-15, 2025

Beaver Falls, PA


Camps and Clinics#

Junior/U23 Teams#

2025 U.S. Team Selection Criteria#

Junior Elite athletes compete in Sarasota. (Photo by Trevor Witt)