Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Ironman 70.3 truly world class

The high-profile event draws competitors here from across the globe.

By DEMORRIS A. LEE, Times Staff Writer
Published November 9, 2007

Australian Craig Alexander, running over the Memorial Causeway during last year's race, was the first male to win a Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3.
	[Times files (2006)]

ADVERTISEMENT [Joseph Garnett, Jr. | Times] Ironman 70.3 volunteer Sherry Bryant, of St. Petersburg, helps set up the transition area on the beach Thursday for Saturday's Ironman 70.3 on Clearwater Beach.

CLEARWATER - Everywhere Craig Alexander went this year, he was introduced as a world champion.

His fellow athletes noticed. And, more importantly, sponsors noticed the Australian, who was the first male to win a Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3.

"I couldn't be happier because it raised my profile in the sport," said Alexander. "It was my calling card the last 12 months."

Athletes give credit for the boost to Ironman officials, known for the grueling 140.6-mile triathlon in Kona, Hawaii, for repackaging and branding what was once known as the "half Ironman." Now it is called the Ironman 70.3, for the number of miles the competitors complete.

In 2005, Ironman officials packaged a dozen "half Ironman" races. The top finishers in those events met last November in Clearwater to determine a world champion.

"It was time to add some new energy to it," said Blair LaHaye, Ironman's director of communications. "There's nothing half about it. Adding the championship gave it the energy it needed."

There are now 23 of the 70.3 races held all over the world from Belgium to Brazil. The event includes a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run.

This weekend, more than 1,500 athletes from all 50 states and 52 countries will participate in the second world championship.

"It's been instrumental in bringing the half Ironman to the forefront and making it a legitimate world championship and event," said Samantha McGlorne last year's female champion. "The event is known around the world."

Athletes say having the Ironman brand on races assures a certain level of quality.

"By giving it a label, it gave it something for everyone to focus on," Richie Cunningham of Australia said of the 70.3 series.

With more races added, athletes have more chances to win prize money and court sponsors. There is $100,000 up for grabs at Saturday's world championship. And because the distance is less grueling than the 140-mile Ironman, it allows athletes to participate in more than one or two races a year.

"With the full Ironman distance, it's such a huge time commitment in terms of training, and it completely takes over your life," said Tim Hudson, president of the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club, the largest triathlon club in the country. "With this new distance, you can do it and still work your job and have some family time."

Demorris A. Lee can be reached at dalee@sptimes.com or 727-445-4174.

[Last modified November 8, 2007, 21:37:26]