Posted: June 20, 2007

Triathlon: Six World Champions And Nearly 40 Professionals To Race The Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon This Weekend

Prize Purse and Race Course Draw Stellar Field PHILADELPHIA, PA. June 20 - The Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon in Fairmount Park, recently named the fourth best triathlon in the United States by Outside Magazine, will be hosting a large professional field for the Olympic-distance race to be held on Sunday, June 24, 2007. The race, now in only its third year is also one of the 10 largest races in the country. Some of the more notable participants include: - Craig Alexander – Winner Ironman World Champion 70.3, St. Croix Ironman 70.3, Boulder Peak Triathlon, 5430 Half Ironman, Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Karen Smyers – Ironman World Champion, ITU World Champion - Candy Angle – XTERRA World Champion - Andrew Noble – Duathlon World Champion - Pip Taylor – ITU World Team Champion - Greg Ramaly - Memphis in May and NYC ITU Champion - Leanda Cave - Defending Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon Winner, ITU World Champion - David Thompson, Defending Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon Winner Race officials are once again offering a $13,500 prize purse for the top five athletes in each gender. In addition to the prize money, professionals and amateurs alike love to compete in the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon due to the race’s scenic course through Fairmount Park, the reputation of the race and its organizers, and the city’s hospitality. “Having such high-caliber professional athletes race in Philadelphia will be a thrill for the numerous age-groupers who will be racing with them, as well as the thousands of spectators cheering them on. We’re confident that our pro field will love the course, the city, and how we do things ‘Philly style.’” said race director Lars Beck. The Olympic-distance race sold out with 2,400 participants, and nearly 1,000 are signed up for the Sprint distance and 50 for the Kids races on Saturday, June 23. The pros will start ten minutes before the age-group waves at 6:55 a.m. Professional Start List (subject to change, current as of 06/20/07) FEMALE PROFESSIONALS MALE PROFESSIONALS Candy Angle Craig Alexander, Will Green, David Thompson Leanda Cave Aaron Bachman, John Kenny, Andrew Yoder Kate Cramer Christopher Bagg, Stephen Kilshaw Dede Griesbauer Ethan Brown, Eric Limkemann Laurie Hug Tommy Brown , Arland Macasieb Kathrin Meade Matt Chrabot, Dan Mackenzie Jilian Peterson Matthew Clancy, Antonio Molina Grace Schroeder Holden Comeau, Matthew Moran Kristin Shedd Kevin Danahy, Andrew Noble Karen Smyers Preston Davitt, Julien Periard Pip Taylor Doug Friman, David Silver   David Gettle, Tyler Stanfield About the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon The Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon was founded in 2005 and is one of the largest triathlons in the country and is held in the city's historic Fairmount Park, in and around the Schuylkill River and the Art Museum. The race will raise an estimated $1 million for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Oncology department and for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through its Team In Training program. In addition to Philadelphia Insurance Companies sponsors to-date include Nathan Human Propulsion Laboratories, Cadence Cycling & Multisport Centers, United Healthcare, Endless Pools, Excel Physical Therapy, Boundless Philadelphia, Penguin Sport Wash, Sorbothane Insoles, Philadelphia Inquirer, Triathlete Magazine, REI, Gatorade Endurance, GU Sports, Wissahickon Mountain Spring Water, Zoot Sports, Le Bus, Healthplex Sports Institute, Triumph, Manayunk, Great Harvest Bread Company, Chestnut Hill Academy and Cohen Partners. More information about the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon can be found by visiting www.PhillyTri.com or by contacting pr@phillytri.com. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest