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Ironman experience isn't just for triathletes

The triathlon also can be exhilarating to watch, if you get in the right spot.

By THERESA BLACKWELL Times Staff Writer
Published November 8, 2007

Triathletes look through related merchandise at the Harborview Center in Clearwater on Wednesday afternoon. Thirty or so vendors had booths at the center to offer Ironman 70.3 triathlon merchandise and information. Couple's devotion back on track Routes Triathlon info
	[Ted McLaren | Times]

CLEARWATER - You don't have to be an elite athlete to participate in the events leading up to Saturday's Ironman championship.

Non-competitors are welcome to swim with the athletes during practice and to attend pre-race and post-race festivities.

Then, Saturday morning, watching the triathlon can be a fast-paced, multimedia experience, if you get in the right spot.

Last year, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 watched the competitors, said Blair LaHaye, director of communications for Ironman. This year, the second time the championship is in Clearwater, organizers hope to top that.

You can watch from any point along the cycling or running courses, but LaHaye suggests watching the championship from the parking lot of Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach.

That's where each leg of the race - swimming, cycling and running - starts and finishes. Viewing areas will be designated and designed to be spectator friendly.

And it's free to watch from there.

A JumboTron will carry big-screen updates, reporting on the progress of the racers. You'll hear music, see the competitors' support teams and see the athletes cross the finish line.

"People say that when they experience an Ironman finish line it's one of the most inspirational and motivational experiences they've had," said LaHaye. "Some athletes are achieving a lifelong dream."

You can get in position at Pier 60 on Saturday as early as 6 a.m. The swim is the first event. It starts at 7 a.m. and most swimmers will be out of the water by 9 a.m.

Free shuttle buses will run out to the beach from six downtown locations and from Sand Key Park, starting at 4 a.m. Go to myclearwater.com/ironman for the shuttle stops.

Before race day, you have these opportunities to get up-close to the athletes:

- Today and Friday, from 8 to 11 a.m., you can swim alongside the athletes as they practice in the Gulf just south of Pier 60. Water safety personnel will be watching and fluid stations will be set up.

- If your interests run more toward the dinner table, you can attend a welcome dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Sand Key Park. You'll dine on the beach. Tickets are $30, dress is casual.

- You also are welcome at the awards banquet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday,again at Sand Key Park. Tickets are $30 and this too is casual attire.

Dinner tickets are available at the Ironman Village expo at the Clearwater Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St. The expo features 30 or so sports-related vendors like Timex, PowerBar, Spenco cycling gloves, the Challenged Athlete Foundation and many more. It's open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Ironman merchandise, from T-shirts to jackets, is available at the expo and at Pier 60.

If you can't get to the races, you can watch them over the internet at www.ironman.com on race day.

IF YOU GO:

Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach will be a good place to watch the Ironman. Races start at 7 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m. Shuttle buses will run to Clearwater Beach on Saturday from Sand Key Park and downtown Clearwater. The Ironman Village expo at the Clearwater Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St., is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. For information, call (727) 562-4636 or visit www.myclearwater.com/ironman.

[Last modified November 7, 2007, 21:25:31]