Posted: July 19, 2006

Triathlon: Competitive Pro Field to Compete in 2006 Boulder Peak

Boulder, CO – The Boulder Peak triathlon is expected to have an impressive pro field competing along side the 1650 age group competitors for the 15th time on Sunday, July 23. The men and women’s fields are both filled with ITU and Ironman champions, as well as many new and promising faces. On the men’s side, the top competitors include Craig Alexander, Greg Bennett, Tim DeBoom, and Michael Lovato, as well as long time champion and Australian legend, Brad Beven. The women’s side is just as strong, with returning champion Amanda Lovato defending her title against triathlon greats like Laura Bennett, Leanda Cave, and Mary Beth Ellis.

The men, who will start the race twelve to fifteen minutes after the women's pro race starts, will have a tough race with hard competition. Craig Alexander was most recently the champion of the 2006 St. Croix 70.3 with an impressive time of four hours, 7 minutes, and 33 seconds. Previously, Alexander was the 2005 Life Time Fitness Champion, among many other accomplishments.

Greg Bennett, coming off his very recent victory at the 2006 New York Triathlon, will pose a threat to the rest of the men's field. Finishing only seven seconds in front of the second place male, he finished in an impressive one hour, 43 minutes, and 43 seconds. In addition to this recent victory, his international awards include a 4th place finish at the 2004 Olympic Games in triathlon, and a first place ranking by the ITU in 2002 and 2003.

Boulder local and previous Ironman champion Tim DeBoom adds another punch of talent to this already packed field. With his 2001 and 2002 wins at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, he will certainly be one to watch on Sunday.

Another Boulder local, Michael Lovato, is sure to give ample competition to the race on Sunday. The 2006 Ironman Arizona Champion (who won with a time of eight hours, 20 minutes, 56 seconds) has qualified for this year’s Ironman Championships in Kona, and is among the top favorites to win. With many other Ironman finishes to his name, he is always a strong racer.

On the women's side, it is Amanda Lovato who will have to keep the other pro women at bay in order to retain her title of 2005 Boulder Peak Champion. Amanda, who won last years race with a time of 2 hours, 17 minutes, 5 seconds, will have to race very strong in order to walk away with the title again.

Laura Bennett is one such woman; her recent ranking of second in the world according to ITU makes her a threat to Lovato's reign as Boulder Peak Champion, as well as to the other women hoping to claim their piece of Boulder.

Leanda Cave is having a great year so far, and is hoping to continue that record here in Boulder. Coming off her win at the Philadelphia Triathlon with a time of two hours, 2 minutes, 21 seconds, as well as a second place finish at the 2005 Eagleman 70.3 makes her a real potential to take home another Champion title this year.

Coming into the pro triathlete scene with a bang is first year pro Mary Beth Ellis. While she is still wanting of a major champion title, she did post an incredible third place finish at the 2006 Canada National Championships, with a time of two hours, 6 minutes, 57 seconds. She will give the other girls competition on this course.

The Boulder Peak Triathlon, which was named the “Best Large Triathlon” in 2004 by USA Triathlon, gives over $20,000 in prize money to the top pro athletes, with a bonus of $1000 to the top pro finisher, male or female. This spectator friendly course has been a favorite among triathletes for years, and has continued to reach capacity months before the race. As a part of the 5430 race series which kicks off the season with the 5430 Sprint, and finishes with the 5430 Long Course, $15,000 is up for grabs among the Series age group competitors, and over $15,000 will be raised for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research. For more information, please visit www.5430sports.com.

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