Posted: October 7, 2004

Triathlon: 1999 Ironman Florida champion Leder to compete in 2004 Ironman Florida

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla.-1999 Ironman Florida champion Lothar Leder (Germany) will return to Panama City Beach to compete in the 2004 Ironman Florida triathlon, set to take place on Saturday, November 6.

The 33-year-old Leder is one of the most decorated Ironman athletes in the history of the sport, having claimed eight Ironman titles in his career. Leder is one of only five Ironman athletes to break the eight-hour mark at an Ironman event, posting sub-eight hour times in 1996 and 1997 at Ironman Germany.

Among Leder’s titles are wins at Ironman Germany (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002), Ironman Japan (2003), Ironman South Africa (2001), Ironman Florida (1999) and Ironman New Zealand (1997).

Leder joins 2004 Subaru Ironman Canada champion Tom Evans (Canada) and 2004 Ironman Wisconsin champion Dave Harju (Canada) as the early favorites to win the 2004 Ironman Florida title.

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.