Ford Ironman Florida Set to Take Place for the Seventh Time

Tuesday, 4th October 2005

The seventh annual Ford Ironman Florida Triathlon is set to take place in Panama City Beach, Florida on Saturday, 5 November 2005.  Ford Ironman Florida, held each November, is one of the most popular events on the Ironman schedule. The 2005 event closed to general entry in less than 10 hours.

The Panama City Beach event is the second oldest Ironman event in the continental United States, trailing Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid by only a few months, as each event took place for the first time back in 1999.

Ford Ironman Florida is well known in the triathlon community as an age-group race, and as a great race for first-time Ironman triathletes.  Utilizing the stunning beaches of Panama City Beach and the host venue at the Boardwalk Beach Resort, Ford Ironman Florida offers a great opportunity for athletes to get "their feet wet" in Ironman events, and also provides a last competition before the winter season sets in.

When the event was first held, it was thought that Ford Ironman Florida would serve as a major age-group event on the Ironman schedule. While that has been the case, Ford Ironman Florida has also featured large pro fields including some of the largest names in triathlon. Lothar Leder, Michellie Jones, Joanna Zeiger, Bella Comerford and Spencer Smith are just some of the top names who have raced at the Panama City Beach event.

"Ford Ironman Florida continues to grow due to the high turnout of age-group triathletes as well as major pros competing in the event," said Ironman North America President Graham Fraser. "The venue in Panama City attracts new athletes each year, and many pros come back to race before the season ends."

Panama City provides a great volunteer network, as the community has played host to the Gulf Coast Triathlon for the past 22 years.  Athletes will be competing for 80 qualifying spots to the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $55,000 pro-prize purse.

Canada's Tom Evans and Australia's Michellie Jones claimed the men and women's titles at the 2004 event respectively.

For more information on Ironman Florida, log onto www.ironmanflorida.com.

Article Source: Ironmanlive.com