Phoenix, AZ, 10/10/2008 – Co-race director, John Lierle, announced today that the TriSports.com Desert Classic Duathlon has been chosen by USA Triathlon (USAT) to host the western qualifying race for the 2009 ITU Short Course Duathlon World Championships which will be held in Concord, NC in September. "I was notified by USAT officials late last week that the Trisports.com Desert Classic Duathlon will be one of two regional qualifying races, along with the U.S. National Championship, where athletes can qualify for duathlon worlds in 2009" said co-race director John Lierle. The top three athletes in each age group division will qualify for the world championship. Qualifying spots will roll down to 6th place as long as the finish time is within 20% of the age group winner. USAT is the national governing body for the sports of triathlon, duathlon, winter triathlon and aquathlon that provides rules, guidance and governance to set the standard for safe and fair multi-sport races.

The TriSports.com Desert Classic Duathlon, which consists of a 3.5 mile run, a 21 mile bike ride and a final 2.7 mile run, will take place at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday February 22, 2009 at McDowell Mountain Regional Park located just north of Fountain Hills, AZ. "We are honored to have been chosen to host this prestigious event." said Scott Perrine, co-race director & president of the Phoenix Triathlon Club. "Spectators who come to the race will see some of the fastest age group duathletes in the United States and the competition will be fierce."

Although the event is considered the premier short course duathlon in the southwest, it's not just for elite athletes. "This race has something for just about everyone", said Lierle, a USAT certified race director who has been involved in producing the event for the past seven years. "We also have a race for high school athletes that is half the distance (1.2 mile run, 11 mile bike and a final 1.5 mile run) of the adult race and there is even a shorter kid's race that makes the entire day a family affair." The event has become a favorite among professionals who use the race as an early season test of their fitness. "You just never know who will show up for this race", said Lierle, "last year's pro field included two Olympic gold medalists" Kristen Armstrong (cycling) and Simon Whitfield (triathlon).

The race is produced by The Phoenix Triathlon Club, whose members serve as the event staff. The Phoenix Triathlon Club is a 501(c)4 not for profit organization and one of the largest multi-sport clubs in the United States with a membership that ranks in the top 4% of U.S. triathlon clubs.

TriSports.com, the title sponsor of the race, is a Tucson based retailer and on-line supplier of multi-sport equipment, clothing and accessories, and has served as the event's title sponsor since 2005. The TriSports.com Desert Classic Duathlon raises money for special exhibits in the new McDowell Mountain Regional Park visitor's center.

For additional information, contact John Lierle or visit: www.DesertClassicDuathlon.com