Posted: August 9, 2007

Triathlon: Ironman 70.3 Arrives in Muskoka

(Tarpon Springs, FL) August 9, 2007 - Today, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announces an addition to the global Ironman 70.3 Event Series, the Muskoka Ironman 70.3. Trisport Promotions, a company that has been host to more than 250,000 triathletes and 300 triathlons across Ontario for the past 21 years, will manage the event that will take place in Muskoka, Canada. The inaugural event, taking place on September 14, 2008, will serve as a qualifier and will include 50 slots to next year's Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3. "The Province of Ontario is a hotbed for triathlons in Canada. We believe the addition of the Muskoka Ironman 70.3 will take the sport to an entirely new level," said Mitch Fraser, Muskoka Ironman 70.3 race director. The 1.2 mile/1.9km swim course will consist of one-loop in the majestic waters of Peninsula Lake. The event is followed by a 56 mile/90km scenic and challenging one-loop bike course that takes athletes through Lake of Bays, the District of Muskoka, including the Hamlet of Dwight, Dorset and Bayville. The course will end with an out-and-back 13.1 mile/21.1km run that incorporates the Fairy Vista Trail. Last year's Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 winner, Craig Alexander, competed in Muskoka recently and says; "I have raced in Muskoka for the past three seasons. I continue to return because it is a beautiful race destination, a tough course and an extremely well run event by Trisport Promotions. I could not think of a more worthy race to have Ironman 70.3 status. I will definitely be at the starting line in 2008." Muskoka Ironman 70.3 is expected to host 1,500 athletes, some of which may include veteran triathletes such as Lisa Bentley, Samantha McGlone and Simon Whitfield, each of whom raced in Muskoka this past June. Registration for the inaugural event opens today at www.ironmanmuskoka.com; the race is expected to sell out. For more information on the Ironman 70.3 Event Series, visit www.ironman.com or contact Steve Meckfessel at Steve@ironman.com. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest