Omaha announces first USAT-certified All Womens’ Triathlon; UNMC Olson Center to benefit from proceeds

On May 22, 2011, Omaha will host its first annual USA Triathlon (USAT) certified all-women’s competition. The Sprint Distance triathlon will include a 750-km swim, a 20-km bike ride and a 5-km run. Athletes can register to compete at www.active.com.

The Omaha Womens Triathlon is expected to be the second major USAT triathlon in Nebraska after the 2010 Omaha Triathlon, and could host more than 800 athletes from around the country. The event will also include a relay team competition option. The event will benefit the UNMC Olson Center for Women’s Health.
 
“For several years, the Olson Center for Women’s Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has been a leader in clinical care for women’s health,” said Carl Smith, M.D., chairman of the UNMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologyy of Nebraska Medical Center. “We appreciate the opportunity and support the Omaha Women’s Triathlon has provided to us.  Together, we can promote and expand the focus of health and wellness for women in the Omaha metro area.”
 
“Women’s events are gaining impressive momentum across the country and we would like to bring one here to Omaha,” said Alan Kohll, founder of the Omaha Triathlon. Omaha Womens Triathlon and president of Total Wellness. “As an organization and as an event, we’re committed to making Omaha one of the top 10 healthiest cities over the next 10 years and this is one of our first stepping stones to reaching that goal.”
 
“After the success of last year’s Omaha Triathlon in attracting many athletes from the metro area and across the country, we are thrilled to have another event to bring the athletes and spectators to Omaha,” said Harold Cliff of the Omaha Sports Commission.
 
The event was founded to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles and to benefit women’s health by donating all proceeds to the UNMC Olson Center for Women’s Health. Financial sponsorships of the event will support the effort as well.
 
“Our organization is very supportive of the Omaha Womens Triathlon because it features several sports that all promote a healthy lifestyle,” said Kerri Peterson of Livewell. “Triathlon participants are in top physical condition, and we hope they serve as role models encouraging every citizen in our community to swim, bike, run or jog to keep fit and enjoy good health.”
 
Additional event details will be released throughout the remainder of 2010 and into 2011. Follow updates at www.omahawomenstri.com.
 
The Omaha Womens Triathlon is a non-profit event promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting the fight for Womens Health. The event is managed by MIMRAN Event Management.
 
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.omahawomenstri.com or contact Courtney Dinslage at 402.548.4258 or Courtney@omahatriathlon.com.
For additional information about the UNMC Olson Center for Women’s Health, visit http://www.olsoncenter.com/home/ or contact Lana Molczyk at ljmolczy@unmc.edu or 402.559.6345.