Posted: March 28, 2005

Triathlon: Lovato, Vabrousek to compete at inaugural Ironman Arizona Triathlon

TEMPE, Ariz.-Ironman standouts Michael Lovato (Boulder, Colo.) and Petr Vabrousek (Czech Republic) will compete in the inaugural Ironman Arizona Triathlon set to take place on Saturday, April 9 in Tempe.

Lovato posted the first Ironman win of his career by claiming the men’s title at the inaugural Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene triathlon in June of 2003. Lovato overcame brutal conditions to post an overall time of eight hours, 40 minutes and 59 seconds to claim the title.

2003 also saw the 31-year-old place 9th overall at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii with an overall time of 8:36:56.

Vabrousek has posted 13 top-five Ironman finishes in his triathlon career, including winning a pair of titles.

The 31-year-old, who hails from the Czech Republic, claimed Ironman titles in 2000 at Ironman South Africa and Ironman Korea, and continues to race more than any other Ironman athlete. Vabrousek raced in an amazing SIX Ironman events in 2001. (South Africa, Brazil, Austria, Canada, the Ironman World Championship and Ironman Florida).

Most recently Vabrousek finished fourth at the Ironman Western Australia triathlon held in November of 2004.

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.