Posted: June 30, 2004

Triathlon: Defending champion Heather Fuhr to Compete in sixth Annual Ironman USA Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.-Four-time Ironman USA Lake Placid champion Heather Fuhr (Canada), will look to defend her title at the 2004 Ironman USA Lake Placid triathlon on Sunday, July 25.

Fuhr has claimed titles at the Lake Placid event in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2003.

Fuhr is currently second all-time on the Ironman victory list, having claimed 13 Ironman events in her career, behind only Ironman legend Paula Newby-Fraser, who has posted an amazing 23 Ironman victories.

The Canadian standout, still one of the top female competitors in Ironman triathlon, earned her only Ironman World Championship title back in 1997 in Kona, Hawaii.

The 36-year-old Fuhr stands as one of the top runners in the history of Ironman, often overcoming large deficits on the run to win events.

Fuhr has competed as a pro triathlete since 1991, and is one of a number of top triathletes who hail from Canada.

More than 1,800 athletes are scheduled to compete in the sixth annual Ironman USA Lake Placid.

Lake Placid athletes will be vying for 100 qualifying spots for the Ironman World Championship as well as a $100,000 pro prize purse. For more information on Ironman USA Lake Placid, log onto www.ironmanusa.com.