Posted: March 23, 2005

Triathlon: Major, Gollnick to compete at the 2005 Ironman Arizona Triathlon

TEMPE, Ariz.-2004 Ironman USA Lake Placid champion Kate Major (Australia) and two-time Ironman Wisconsin champion Heather Gollnick (Hartford, Wisc.) will compete in the 2005 Ironman Arizona Triathlon set to take place on Saturday, April 9 in Tempe.

Major had a banner year in 2004, claiming the first Ironman title of her career at Ironman USA Lake Placid. Major not only won the event, but set a new course record in the process with an overall time of nine hours, 24 minutes and 41 seconds.

The 27-year-old Australian also finished an impressive third overall at the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championship and was also third at Ironman Australia in 2004 as well.

Gollnick has won three Ironman titles in her career and ranks as one of the top U.S. female competitors in Ironman triathlon.

Gollnick posted the first Ironman win of her career at the inaugural Ironman Wisconsin triathlon held in September of 2002.

Gollnick also won the inaugural Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene title back in June of 2003 and repeated as Ironman Wisconsin champion in September of that same year.

The inaugural Ironman Arizona Triathlon, which will take place in Tempe and will feature a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a complete marathon all run in succession. More than 1,900 athletes from around the world are expected to compete in the event. Athletes will competing for 80 qualifying spots to the 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championship, as well as a $75,000 pro prize purse.

For more information on the event, log onto www.ironmanarizona.com.