The Rookie is Sold Out

The Rookie Triathlon is completely sold out.  There is not a waiting list and no additional spots will be made available.  Sorry.


Please look into our other events (www.highfiveevents.com/events.asp) if you have missed out on The Rookie.  They are all great for beginners and experienced athletes alike, and they offer many of the same benefits.  Ladies who missed out on The Rookie should definitely check out The Skeese Greets Women's Tri (www.skeesegreetstri.com).  It's the same exact venue and course as The Rookie.


You can still be part of The Rookie as a volunteer.  Volunteering can be a ton of fun and a rewarding experience.  Plus you get invited to the volunteer party!  Sign up at:  www.therookietri.com/volunteer.asp

100 More Spots added to Rookie Tri

The Rookie is just about full.  Don't panic if you have not signed up yet.  We have been able to make an agreement with the Texas Ski Ranch that, when coupled with the course improvements, will allow the venue to hold 100 more participants.  So, if you forgot to sign up there is still time.  However, we don't expect these 100 extra spots to hang around for long.


Other Rookie Updates

• We just order 1100 water bottles.  Each finisher will receive a souvenir bottle filled with ice cold water at the finish line.
• We've got a new tech tee provider this year, and we just received the Rookie test print and the shirt is great:  Check out the design below:
• The awards will be license plates just like the t-shirt. 

Team LIVESTRONG at The AVIA Austin Triathlon

We don’t live in the same city or compete in the same events, but we’re one team. What unite us are hope, courage and determination. We are more than one. We ride. Run. Walk. Swim. We fight. We are the cyclist facing a long uphill climb in honor of his mother. We are the runner finishing a first marathon in memory of her brother. We are the cancer survivor crossing a 5k finish line after completing treatment. Whatever your strengths, whatever your goal, whatever your personal battle, you can make a difference. We are more than one. Join us in the unfinished fight at TeamLIVESTRONG.org.

Sign up for the Austin Tri, participate with Team LIVESTRONG, and raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and the fight against cancer. The LAF is an official partner of The Austin Triathlon. Reserved spots are available at the early registration rate for Team LIVESTRONG. Team members will race in LAF gear and have access to their own personal webpage as well fundraising tools and sample materials online, all of which will help make meeting the fundraising goal easy so they can concentrate on the real challenge - training for the tri. Click here for more info.

The History of Generic

A lot of people will tell you that they think the name "Jack's Generic Triathlon" is very clever or funny. You might even agree, but do you know why? Here's the story behind the name and the theme:


Jack's Generic Triathlon was founded by Jack Murray in 2003, at a time when he thought many triathlons had forgotten about the participants. Events had become so focused on getting big sponsors, accommodating pro athletes, and trying to look good that they sometimes neglected the actual product - the race. Athletes ended up paying more, but their racing experience was actually less. Jack had the idea to put on a race with very little pomp & circumstance, yet at the core be a great race. It would be well organized, safe, good value, and of course, fun. From the outside, it wouldn't look terrific, but the participant experience would be great. It reminded him of the generic isle at the supermarket: It's the same quality products, sometimes even better, but you don't have to pay for the fancy packaging. And hence, the name Jack's Generic Triathlon was born.

While today, more than 7 years after the first Jack's Generic Triathon (JGT as we call it), our races do have a lot more fancy packaging, but at their core they still try to preserve the values of Jack's Generic. Each race is designed, planned, and priced with you, the everyday triathlete in mind.

Rookie Course Improvements

The 2010 edition of The Rookie Triathlon will feature some course improvements that should create a better experience for all on race day. First, we have order several cubic yards of sand that will be placed at the swim exit. The sand will make a much nicer exit from the water and it should really help to keep the bottom mud from getting stirred up by all the swimmers. This will keep everyone looking good for their race photos. Second, the finish line will be moved to the south side of the cable lake. This creates many advantages, the most significant being the elimination of the pre & post race "people jams" around the finish line. The run finish will now cirlce the cable lake before entering the finish chute. Detailed maps of the course improvements can be found on the course section of the website.

Volunteer to Win a New Belgium Brewery Cruiser Bike

Each person who volunteers at 4 or more events in the 2010 Texas Tri Series will be entered into a select drawing for a very cool cruiser bike courtesy of New Belgium Brewery. What are the odds? Ask Dan Kirkley, a 3 time finisher of the Texas Tri Series. He volunteered at 5 events in 2010, and was the lucky one out of just 8 people to win the bike. You must be present at the finisher party to win the bike.

USAT licenses explained

Have you ever signed up for a triathlon and then been forced to pay $10 extra at packet pickup? Maybe you are doing your first triathlon this year and you've been told that you need a USAT license, but you don't really know what that is or how to get one? Here's all you need to know:

What is a USAT licnese?

USA Triathlon (USAT) is the governing body of the sport of triathlon in the United States. (www.usatriathlon.org). It's overseen by the the United States Olympic Committe. It provides many services to athletes, coaches, and race directors. One of the key services it provides to race directors is event sanctioning, through which it provides event insurance. The insurance covers the athletes, volunteers, and the property that is part of a triathlon. This insurance is usually so expensive that most race directors would not be able to afford it without the assistance of USAT. Without the insurance, many races wouldn't exist. One of the requirements of sanctioning an event is that all participants must be USAT members. Therefore, anyone who signs up for a USAT sanctioned event must show proof of USAT membership. This proof is commonly referred to as having a USAT license.


How do I get a USAT membership?

USAT memberships may be purchased several ways:

• USAT provides registration services online at http://usatriathlon.org/pages/58
• Many USAT sanctioned events have USAT memberships available for purchase as part of their online registration.
• All USAT sanctioned events have USAT memberships available for purchase at packet pickup.

Should I buy an Annual Membership or just pay the One Day fee?

The annual membership costs $39. The one day license costs $10 and may only be used at the event at which it is purchased. It's a no-brainer to purchase the annual membership if you do at least 4 events per year. It typically makes sense to have an annual membership even if you will do less than 4 events per year, as there are many other benefits to having a USAT license, as described on the USAT membership benefits page:http://usatriathlon.org/pages/659. The One Day membership is good option if you are likely to do less than one event per year.


When should I buy my membership?

I don't recommend waiting until packet pickup to purchase a license as you'll have to wait in a second line and make a payment. Buy the one-day membership online with your event registration if you can. Buy the annual membership online directly from USAT anytime before your first event. Make sure you bring proof of you online purchase with you to packet pickup, as well as a photo ID.


USAT will give you credit for $10 towards an annual membership if you show receipt from a one day membership purchase.