The Clydesdale and Athena competitive divisions are based on weight minimums outlined in the USA Triathlon Competitive Rules. Athletes competing in the Clydesdale division must be a minimum of 220 pounds and athletes in the Athena division must be a minimum of 165 pounds.
According to 2010 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the measurements of the average
American women
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Weight: 168.5 pounds
Waist circumference: 38.1 inches.
Essentially, the average male is 25 pounds away from (lighter than) being a Clydesdale while the average female is an Athena. How is that equitable? How did they come up with these standards?
My wife and I have been scratching our heads on this one for quite some time. We often see Athena women in the 5’10"+ range who are straight up, rock solid, glamazons and can destroy a course. The 220lbs+ Clydesdale male version of this is very uncommon.
I remember the threshold being 200lbs as well, but maybe that was from the cycling world? I guess I have to change my username since I am now below 220 lbs
You have to set a limit somewhere. Our local tri series, it’s 150 (w) / 200 (m) lbs. It’s more about the spirit of the division, anyways.
I do have a problem with folks who camp out in these divisions and clean up for YEARS. I view Athena/ Clydesdale as a beginner-friendly divisions that serve as a way for the larger, total-lifestyle-transformation-type athletes to have a steppingstone into the sport. These divisions give them a chance to have some competition and to build some confidence.
American women
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Weight: 168.5 pounds
Waist circumference: 38.1 inches.
Whatever. I think the biggest shocker here is the average waist sizes! No wonder it’s hard to find 30-30 pants! Lots of fat fux out there. “Average” men are 5’ 9" and 195? Jeez.
Before the change Clydesdale was 200 lbs & Athena was 150 lbs. USAT decided a change was needed because very fit, 6’+ males still weighed around 200lbs.
The solution was to add 10%, so that’s how Clydesdale became 220 lbs (200+20) & Athena became 165 lbs (150+15).
You have to set a limit somewhere. Our local tri series, it’s 150 (w) / 200 (m) lbs. It’s more about the spirit of the division, anyways.
I do have a problem with folks who camp out in these divisions and clean up for YEARS. I view Athena/ Clydesdale as a beginner-friendly divisions that serve as a way for the larger, total-lifestyle-transformation-type athletes to have a steppingstone into the sport. These divisions give them a chance to have some competition and to build some confidence.
No, these divisions have not been created for that, they are viewed as that now. Originally done for the tall muscular folk who would suffer on the run
I’ve seen a lot of fit Athenas putting up good times. My Girlfriend currently races in the Athena division, she has a desire to be one of those fit and highly competitive Athenas. She took third in the Athena Division at Tempe Lifetime last year and we were scheduled to go to Championships, until I got put out of commission.
Clydesdale on the otherhand…if you’re 5-9 and 225…as I’m 5-9, you are sloppy looking. All of the Clydesdales that are competitive that I’ve raced against are like 6-2ish and jacked. They tend to put up really good sprint and olympic times. I’m kind of fat right now because I gained 15lbs after breaking my collar bone.
Whatever. I think the biggest shocker here is the average waist sizes! No wonder it’s hard to find 30-30 pants! Lots of fat fux out there. “Average” men are 5’ 9" and 195? Jeez.
Yeah. Try walking into a store and asking for pants with a 29" waist and 34" inseam.
But my point here was the average women is 102% of the weight requirement and the average male is 88%. I was wondering if there was science behind it or if we would need to increase the female weight by another 10-15lbs.
Ive never understood the need to further separate race divisions. I understand the split between pro and age group, but don’t get further splits into Athena/Clydesdale. Is this just a way to get more participation and more money for race organizers? I get that not everybody has the prototypical body for triathlon but that’s just life. Having Athena/Clydesdale divisions is like having a basketball league for people 5’8 and shorter or a football league for people that weigh less than 170 pounds. Anyways, let the flaming begin.
You have to set a limit somewhere. Our local tri series, it’s 150 (w) / 200 (m) lbs. It’s more about the spirit of the division, anyways.
I do have a problem with folks who camp out in these divisions and clean up for YEARS. I view Athena/ Clydesdale as a beginner-friendly divisions that serve as a way for the larger, total-lifestyle-transformation-type athletes to have a steppingstone into the sport. These divisions give them a chance to have some competition and to build some confidence.
I am in Canada and as far as I know, we don’t run Athena/Clydesdale divisions…How does it work in USA? Do you self seed as an Athena/Clydesdale or general AG? I am 215lbs but wouldn’t want to race in a Clydesdale division (assuming 200 lb threshold).
ah, makes sense. I was mentioning the 200 lb threshold from the other post; even at 225 lb though, I did well enough at local tris that I wouldn’t want to be in these separate divisions.
Yeah, like I get why they do this. It makes sense to me WHY. The discrepancy in the weight difference as per percentage is what has be scratching my head.
I compare it to Cameron Wurf being in the “Lightweight” Double Scull. Being much smaller is a major disadvantage in rowing. Thus they create a separate division for it.
You have to set a limit somewhere. Our local tri series, it’s 150 (w) / 200 (m) lbs. It’s more about the spirit of the division, anyways.
I do have a problem with folks who camp out in these divisions and clean up for YEARS. I view Athena/ Clydesdale as a beginner-friendly divisions that serve as a way for the larger, total-lifestyle-transformation-type athletes to have a steppingstone into the sport. These divisions give them a chance to have some competition and to build some confidence.
No, these divisions have not been created for that, they are viewed as that now. Originally done for the tall muscular folk who would suffer on the run
Exactly,
I mentioned this on the reddit triathlon page and got down voted very badly.
It’s not a fattie division, it’s for big people. Like a big powerful Clydesdale horse, they aren’t as fast as most but are capable of doing a lot of work.
Ive never understood the need to further separate race divisions. I understand the split between pro and age group, but don’t get further splits into Athena/Clydesdale. Is this just a way to get more participation and more money for race organizers? I get that not everybody has the prototypical body for triathlon but that’s just life. Having Athena/Clydesdale divisions is like having a basketball league for people 5’8 and shorter or a football league for people that weigh less than 170 pounds. Anyways, let the flaming begin.
There should be minimal thresholds set to make divisions. I would say at least 20 participants. This for AG too. If not met spread the group wider… 10 year age break downs, etc
I was a Clyde when I first started… I’m 6’2 and I walked around at about 210 and fairly low body fat at that weight. BUT, there is no way I would sniff the podium in 30-34 unless it was a very small race. In the series races though, there were about 5 of us that would fight it out regularly for top spots in Clyde. When it went up to 220, I and the rest of the group were relegated back to MOP age group. It did get me to take my weight more seriously though, I’m down at 187 and starting to sniff podium spots again as that weigh loss has led to increased speed.
All I am saying is it was a lot of fun for us bigger guys to compete with one another and not worry about the 155lb guys running 16 min 5Ks in the sprint races. At the races I have been to lately, it seems more of the beginner category, with only 3-4 entrants, and not very competitive.
