Big news for Richmond and off-road triathletes nationwide came out of U.S.A. Triathlon today. The sport’s governing body in America announced that the Richmond XTERRA East Championships off-road triathlon will double as the USAT’s Off-Road Nationals as well.

Conrad Stoltz runs the “dry way” during XTERRA Richmond. Credit: Conrad Stoltz

“That means racers who win their division (in Richmond) will be named USAT Off-Road National Champ, XTERRA East Champ, and earn qualifying spots to both the 2014 XTERRA World Championship AND the 2015 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship,” said Trey Garman, XTERRA’s vice president for marketing and media relations. “Big Haul! Expect a strong field in Richmond this year!”

According to the press release from the USAT: Off-Road Nationals will be held at XTERRA Richmond on June 15. The course has been part of the XTERRA circuit since 1998, and the River City is a premier destination for off-road racing adventures. Beginning at James River, the 1000-meter swim, 32-kilometer mountain bike, 10-kilometer trail run event also serves as the XTERRA East Championship.

In addition to chasing national titles in Richmond, athletes also will be competing for prized spots on Team USA for the 2015 International Triathlon Union (ITU) Cross Triathlon World Championships, the date and location of which will be announced later this year by ITU. The top 18 finishers (rolling down to 25th place) in each age group will qualify for a Team USA slot. Team USA is composed of amateur athletes who represent the U.S. at each ITU World Championship event.

Registration for 2014 USA Triathlon Off-Road Nationals is currently open, and an early-bird rate of $75 is available until Feb. 15. Click here to register for this event, and visit usatriathlon.org/offroadnationals for more information.