athena vs. age group

**divingbiker** · 07-25-2006, 08:41 AM

Just wondering if there's an advantage to registering in the Athena category vs. in my age group (45-49) in the women-only triathlon I'm doing next month. There are probably 4 times as many registered in the Athena category as in the age group, so that means there are 4 times as many who could finish ahead of me.

Since I'm hoping only to finish, not win, I don't think it really matters, but my guess is the women registered in the 45-49 group are the skinny, competitive ones, and the slow, fat triathletes register as Athena. Also, I'll only be 5 weeks away from 50 at the time of the race so psychologically it might be better if I don't feel I'm "competing" with 45 year olds!

I guess the question is, do those who qualify as Athena (not a club I'm terribly happy to be a member of) register that way, or do they stick with their age group?

**Nanci** · 07-25-2006, 09:00 AM

Age group. Also, there are some VERY fast Athenas. I would say a LOT. Don't count on them being non-competitive.

Nanci

**divingbiker** · 07-25-2006, 09:09 AM

Thanks. That's what I suspected. I'll go change my registration right now.

**Nanci** · 07-25-2006, 10:14 AM

Well, I'm not the authority on it, though- so you might want to wait for more opinions. But I always pick age group, because there are less people, and then observe the Athena class to see if I guessed right. Also, you can look at the results from the previous year- often the same people will race again. You can compare the fast Athenas to the fast age-groupers, and then pick.

Nanci

**Pedal Wench** · 07-25-2006, 11:01 AM

In road race (no clue about tri's

) your race age is the age you'll be on December 31. So, actually, you could register in the 50-59 category. But check the rules.

**Lise** · 07-25-2006, 12:52 PM

Hi, divingbiker (henceforth db), and welcome to the Tri board!

I agree with Nanci. Stick with your age group. The reason to do Athena, IMO, is if you're fast and meet the weight criteria. If you plan to compete in that bracket, then go for it. If you have no intention of going for a medal, stick with your age group. It's kind of 6 of one, etc, for me, but it's depressing to class myself "Athena" just cuz I weigh 150#. I'd rather stick with being 46.

**Brina** · 07-25-2006, 01:30 PM

at my recent tri age was age on day of race. I registered as a 39 year old (turned 40 the next day). I laugh and wonder if I would have placed higher in the 40-44 age group. I have nver done a race with an athena category, but it depresses the hell out of me that if I ever get to my ideal weight I will still qualify for the athena class.

**skibum** · 07-25-2006, 02:14 PM

I think the race age depends on the tri. The official USAT rule is that your race age for 2006 is your age as of 12/31/2006. I recently did my first tri (Chattanooga Waterfront tri) and they followed that rule. But, I'm sure there are many races that are like the one Brina did that just go with your age on the day of the race.

I'm in the middle of an age group (I'm 42) and my birthday was early enough in the year that my race age was my actual age. I'm not sure I'd want to be bumped into a higher age group based on this race age rule even if it meant I might place better in my age group. I guess I have a couple of years before I have to worry about that.

**Nanci** · 07-25-2006, 02:15 PM

Hey, my BF is a clydesdale, by a lot, (230ish?) but he's not fat at all. He gets pissed when skinny little 190 pounders sneak in when they aren't weighed in. It's a lot tougher on the big guys, I think.

Nanci

**vicvroom** · 07-25-2006, 07:38 PM

I'm right on the athena border, sometimes I'm above, sometimes below. I will register for athena if I can. I find that, at least in my 35-39 age group, I place higher in the athena group. In Southern California the 30's and 40's are very competitive age groups.

**Running Mommy** · 07-25-2006, 08:50 PM

Nanci is Right, there are some VERY FAST Athena's! That being said, I usually race athena. There are usually less than in my AG of 35-39, but I've only placed once. I placed third in a small sprint in so cal last year. But of course there were only FOUR of us in the category! So WHOOPPEE I beat one person! ha ha ha

I'm slow, I've learned to embrace my stumpiness..

But DANG just being out there racing is FUN!!!

**Bron** · 07-26-2006, 05:06 AM

I'm curious now. What is "athena", I've never heard of it before. Is it a weight class (like being a lightweight rower)?
I've only ever seen triathlons being divided by age around here.
I hope nobody minds me asking.
Bron

**Brina** · 07-26-2006, 05:33 AM

Bron, yes, Athena (women) and Clydesdales (men) are weight classes in running and tri events (and cycling, I think). Since most participants in these events, or at least most elite participaants, are thin, and weight is such a factor in overall time, these categories have been created. I think the cutoffs are 150 lbs for Athena and 200 for Clydesdales.

**Bron** · 07-26-2006, 08:55 AM

Thanks for explaining that. It definately does not exist here in Germany.

I could image it being quite a comptitive group - 150lbs is not that much, especially for someone over average height and with a few muscles; most female rowers would be over that weight in spite of being very lean.

In rowing it is the small people who are considered to have a natural disadvantage (shorter limbs, no muscle), hence there being a lightweight catagory in higher level competition.

Do you have to weigh-in before competitions?

Bron

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