The Short Chute: Super League Rebrands, No NYC Tri, and IM Foundation Scholarship
Editor’s Note: We are trying out various formats for some of our coverage. These are stories that came across our desk that we think deserve a mention, but perhaps not a full-throated story. Let us know what you think about this as a weekly segment in the comments.
Super League Is Now supertri
In a move that will appeal to our own Dan Empfield’s forum capitalization usage, Super League Triathlon has re-branded itself supertri.
Part of this effort aligns with supertri’s eventual pivot to additional mass participation events, as well as the closed-league Championship Series. The former Arena Games will now be known as supertri E. It is yet to be known how they will brand their mass participation events, which for 2024 will include the Chicago Triathlon and the Legacy Long Beach Triathlon. supertri also operates the New York City Triathlon — more on that in a moment.
The new boilerplate also includes the tagline “to inspire the competitor in everyone.”
No New York City Triathlon in 2024
Lost in the shuffle of the announcement of the re-branding effort from Super League to supertri, the New York City Triathlon will not take place in 2024.
The race has suffered turbulent times over the last decade, with significant impacts to race operations (modifications, cancellations, etc.) eight times since 2014. It was moved to the fall for 2023 in an attempt to avoid weather related modifications to the event.
However, in a statement posted to the event website, it is claimed that there are no available dates in the fall of 2024. In part, the statement reads that “[o]ur commitment to delivering an unparalleled athlete experience remains unwavering, and rather than compromise on the quality of the event and the safety of our athletes, we have decided to forgo the 2024 New York City Triathlon due to the availability of viable event dates. The New York City Triathlon has always been about more than just a race – it's about a shared passion for the sport and a commitment to excellence. We remain committed to work with the city to find a solution for 2025 and beyond.”
IM Foundation Launches Race for Change Scholarship
The IRONMAN Foundation late last week launched the Race for Change Scholarship program, which will see up to three scholarships awarded to members of underrepresented communities participate in an IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 event.
The Foundation cites accessibility as a major barrier for these communities, and invites individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Applications will be accepted through the end of February. Recipients of the scholarship will receive coaching, race entries, select triathlon and training equipment, travel, lodging, and more.
“We recognize that access and how to get started can be barriers to the sport of triathlon,” shared Shane Facteau, Chief Operating Officer of The IRONMAN Group and President of The IRONMAN Foundation. “Through the Race For Change Scholarship program we want to help remove barriers and welcome more diverse individuals into the sport as we collectively empower the next generation of great competitors, coaches, and history-makers.”