The Hy-Vee Triathlon is an Olympic-distance triathlon race held in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. It has been a participant in the ITU Triathlon World Cup series three times from 2008 to 2010,[1] and serves as the World Triathlon Corporation's 5150 Series 2011 U.S. Championships.[2] The annual triathlon event attracts many of the top professional triathletes in the world due, in part, to having one of the largest prize purses awarded in the sport.[3] In addition to professional triathletes, the triathlon event features competition among amateur athletes as well.
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The first edition of the event, held June 17, 2007, featured the largest prize in triathlon history, at $200,000 each for the men's and women's elite winners. Approximately 10,000 spectators came downtown to the event, which was held in downtown Des Moines, swimming at Grey's Lake and finishing at the Iowa State Capitol.
The 2008 edition, held June 22, served as the final United States qualifier for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Due to flooding, it was moved to West Des Moines.[4] Initially, there was uncertainty about its Olympic-qualifying status, as bacteria levels in nearby Blue Heron Lake left the swimming option in questionable status. However, officials confirmed that there would be swimming.[5] As part of the Olympic qualifying Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haskins claimed the final United States Olympic spots as Rasmus Henning and three-time World Champion Emma Snowsill were the overall winners.
For 2011, the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announced that the Hy-Vee triathlon would serve as the site for its inaugural 5150 Series U.S. Championships. The race will have the largest prize purse in triathlon, with $1.1 million total being paid out and $151,500 going to the men and women’s winners.[6]
| Year | Athlete | Country/State | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Rasmus Henning | Denmark | 1:50:04 | Des Moines | Inaugural race |
| 2008 | Rasmus Henning | Denmark | 1:54:21 | West Des Moines | 2nd victory, course moved to West Des Moines due to flooding |
| 2009 | Simon Whitfield | Canada | 1:49:43 | West Des Moines | Course record |
| 2010 | Tim Don | United Kingdom | 1:50:20 | West Des Moines | |
| 2011 | Greg Bennett | Australia | 1:47:37 | Des Moines |
| Year | Athlete | Country/State | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Laura Bennett | United States | 2:04:3 | Des Moines | Inaugural race |
| 2008 | Emma Snowsill | Australia | 2:03:15 | West Des Moines | Course moved to West Des Moines due to flooding |
| 2009 | Emma Moffatt | Australia | 1:59:46 | West Des Moines | Course record |
| 2010 | Emma Snowsill | Australia | 1:59.34 | West Des Moines | 2nd victory, course record |
| 2011 | Lisa Norden | Sweden | 1:59:12 | Des Moines |