Elite Amateur Competition (EAC)
In 2006, Chicago joined New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis to form the Life Time Triathlon Series. In 2007, the Series launched the Toyota US Open Triathlon in Dallas, with the Dallas event hosting the Series Championship commencing in 2007.

In 2012, the Life Time Triathlon Series includes:

• Nautica South Beach Triathlon (Miami) - April 1
• Capital of Texas Triathlon (Austin) - May 26
• Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon - June 22
• Life Time Tri Minneapolis - July 14
• Life Time Tri Chicago - August 26
• Herbalife Triathlon Los Angeles - September 23
• Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon (Dallas/Rockwall) - October 7

In addition to Series Competition for top professional triathletes, the Series also features the Elite Amateur Competition where the top-3 men and top-3 women overall in this Division at each of the seven Series events, qualify to attend the US Open in Dallas/Rockwall on October 7, 2012.

EAC PARTICULARS
At the Life Time Tri Chicago, athletes in the EAC will be judged against the athletes in their age group in the EAC competition only, and not against the athletes in the open age group competition. EAC participants will be seeded into the opening waves of the International distance event, competing head-to-head with the other top amateur triathletes for awards (three-deep, men & women) in the 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80+ years & older age groups. Athletes competing in the International distance “Open Age Group Division” will be competing for a separate class of awards.  

A RACE WITHIN A RACE
Results for EAC athletes will be included in the USA Triathlon (USAT) age group rankings based on their performance in the EAC, just as if the EAC was the only race taking place on that day.  

ELITE AMATEUR COMPETITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
*Please note: Qualification requirements for this year's EAC are different from those of 2011.  Please read all updated guidelines below.*

To compete in the Elite Amateur Age Group Competition (39 years and under), an athlete must meet the following criteria:

• Male athletes must show proof of completing an International distance triathlon in 2011-2012 in a total time of 2:10 or better.

• Female athletes must show proof of completing an International distance triathlon in 2011-2012 in a total time of 2:30 or better.

To compete in the Elite Masters Age Group Competition (40 years and older), an athlete must meet the following criteria:

• Male athletes must show proof of completing an International distance triathlon in 2011-2012 in a total time of 2:25 or better.

• Female athletes must show proof of completing an International distance triathlon in 2011-2012 in a total time of 2:45 or better.

Note 1: You will be asked to provide proof of your eligibility when registering through the website.

Note 2: The race staff of Life Time Tri Chicago reserve the right to refuse entry into the EAC competition.

ELITE AMATEUR COMPETITION AWARDS

The top three men and women overall from the EAC competition in Miami, Austin, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas from year prior, are invited to compete at the Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon in Dallas/Rockwall, TX for the Toyota Cup National Championship.  The offer does not roll down if an eligible competitor elects not to participate or qualifies at more than one Series races.

Each qualifying participant receives the following:

• Complementary entry for the Toyota US Open Triathlon
• Travel assistance of $500 (in the form of a Discover gift card, to be picked up at the Expon upon arrival) for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female overall at each Series race

Elite Amateur Prize Purse:

• Toyota Cup Champion Jacket - 1st place male and female
• Toyota Cup Jersey - 2nd and 3rd place male and female
• Orca Gift Certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female finishers at the Toyota US Open Triathlon