"We appreciate the patience our members have shown as we have worked through the planning of this event," said USA Triathlon Interim Director Mike Greer. "This date will give us more time to put on a better race."

This year’s national championship will be owned by USA Triathlon, produced by Mark Livesay of Ultramax Events and supported by the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation.

The race will be intermediate distance – 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run – and will be the second qualifier for the 2005 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Age Group Championship on Oct. 8-9 in Honolulu, Hawaii. There will be 10 slots on Team USA available per age group, rolling down to 18th if people in the top 10 do not accept their slots.

Race registration will open soon at www.usatriathlon.org <http://www.usatriathlon.org/> . Please check the web site for updated information.

The event will take place at Smithville Lake, amid rolling hills and grasslands. The race site is located about 10 miles from the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and 17 miles from downtown Kansas City.

At the beginning of December, USA Triathlon was in final contract negotiations with an eastern city to host the national championships. Unfortunately, that city pulled out of the negotiations at the last minute, forcing officials to find other possibilities.

After discussions with various cities and top race directors across the country, the USA Triathlon Board of Directors voted to give the championship to Kansas City, which pulled together the necessary resources at the last minute.

"Kansas City and Mark Livesay really came through for us," Greer said. "USA Triathlon will now focus on making this event the best possible championship."