Can someone explain the differences and pros/cons of each.
I imagine pro status is something you have to earn? Most races that I have entered have allowed you to select either elite or age group. It seems like half the time, the podium is made up of AGers and the few people signed up for elite are middle of the pack. Is there a benefit to signing up as elite? The only thing I have seen is first swim wave.
Does your category have anything to do with registration fees or ability to earn certain prizes (ie only pros can earn monetary prizes?) Let’s say an AGer had a break out race and cracked top 10 at Kona, would they still get the prize money?
The Pro/Elite distinction only matters if there is more than $5k of prize money and it is a USAT certified race. Then you have to have a pro card to race in that wave. And if you have a pro card, you have to race in the elite wave, not the AG wave. AG athletes cannot race in the Elite wave if there is >$5k purse.
There are a lot of ways to earn it and you can see them all at http://www.usatriathlon.org/elite-international/elite-athlete-qualification.aspx
If a local race has an elite wave, it is typically open and anyone can sign up for it. The race director might need to know you or see results. To further confuse things, a lot of the 5150 and Lifetime olympic distance races with an “elite amateur”. Men under 2:15 and women under 2:25 can sign up for these waves, which typically go of immediately after the pros. It’s a huge benefit in big races, as you see exactly who you are racing and have cleaner roads.
As for an AGer having a breakout race and placing in the top 5 or 10, no. They wouldn’t get prize money.
1 Like
To race as an ‘elite’ AG’er at the big OD races in Aus you need a sub 2.05. 2.15 is pretty lenient. Really the only perk of racing in this wave is you get a much less congested course and can push yourself against a better standard of athlete.