Media

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2007
Contact: pr@phillytri.com or 609.304.3206

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
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
Candy Angle
Leanda Cave
Kate Cramer
Dede Griesbauer
Laurie Hug
Kathrin Meade
Jilian Peterson
Grace Schroeder
Kristin Shedd
Karen Smyers
Pip Taylor

MALE PROFESSIONALS
Craig Alexander
Will Green
David Thompson
Aaron Bachman
John Kenny
Andrew Yoder
Christopher Bagg
Stephen Kilshaw
Ethan Brown
Eric Limkemann
Tommy Brown
Arland Macasieb
Matt Chrabot
Dan Mackenzie
Matthew Clancy
Antonio Molina
Holden Comeau
Matthew Moran
Kevin Danahy
Andrew Noble
Preston Davitt
Julien Periard
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.