Posted: September 29, 2004

Triathlon: Subaru Ironman Canada, Ironman Wisconsin champions to compete at Ironman Florida

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla.-2004 Subaru Ironman Canada champion Tom Evans (Canada) and two-time Ironman Wisconsin champion Dave Harju (Canada) will compete in the 2004 Ironman Florida triathlon set to take place in Panama City Beach on Saturday, November 6.

Evans posted the first Ironman victory of his career in August of 2004 by winning Subaru Ironman Canada, held annually in Penticton, B.C., with a time of eight hours, 28 minutes and six seconds.

From nearby Naramata, B.C., Evans was also second overall at Subaru Ironman Canada in 2003.

Harju has claimed titles at the Ironman Wisconsin triathlon each of the past two seasons. The Canadian standout posted times of eight hours, 52 minutes and 33 seconds in 2004 and 8:55:26 in 2003 to earn victories at the Madison event.

The 36-year-old has also been in the top ten at HSBC Ironman USA Lake Placid (eighth in 2004, sixth in 2002 and 10th in 2000) as well as Ironman Florida (2001 and 2003).

More than 2,000 athletes from around the U.S. and the world are expected to compete in Ironman Florida, which enters its sixth year in Panama City Beach.

Athletes will be competing for 100 qualifying spots to the 2005 Ironman World Championship held in October in Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $50,000 pro prize purse.

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