Posted: April 1, 2005

Triathlon: Triamerica Series To Kick Off 2005 Season With Large National Field At Clermont

Clermont, FL – More than 1,000 athletes will converge upon Clermont, FL, - “The World Triathlon Destination” – this weekend, April 2-3, for the TriAmerica Triathlon Series opener, which marks the start of the always intense and competitive triathlon season in Florida.

The sole national international distance triathlon Series in the U.S., the TriAmerica Series will travel to eight of the countries top fitness destinations from April through October, making it the premier multi-sport event program of its kind. Athletes from 25 states, Canada and South America will be on hand to enjoy the temperate Florida weather and compete in Olympic and sprint distance triathlons.

“Once again, we are excited to be staging the TriAmerica Series opener, and Florida’s first major race here in Clermont,” said TriAmerica Series founder and director Fred Sommer. “Athletes and their families had nothing but rave reviews after last year’s race weekend, and having right here in our back yard is a huge motivator, not only for our staff but for athletes throughout Central Florida.” Sommer Sports will now have produced more than 150 World Class Triathlons at Clermont’s Waterfront Front Park.

Race weekend kicks off on Saturday morning at 9:00am with the TriAmerica TriKidz Triathlon for youngsters between the ages of 7-14. At 10:00am, the TriAmerica Festival of Sports & Fitness Expo opens. Late registration and packet pick-up will begin at 12:00pm, both at the Waterfront Park event site. The Expo and registration will close at 6:00pm.

Sunday is triathlon race day! Athlete check-in and body marking at Waterfront Park begins at 6:00am, and the International Distance Tri will kick-off the racing festivities at 8:00am. Athletes will take to the water for the 1.5K swim (.93 miles), and will follow that with a challenging 49K (24.8 miles) on the bike, before finishing with a flat and fast 10K (6.2 mile) run. The Sprint Triathlon, featuring distances half that of the International race will begin at 8:25am. Following both races, athletes will be treated to the always entertaining awards ceremony and an upgraded post race party that feature an outstanding food and beverage buffet, highlighted by home made pizza and pasta dishes from one of Sommer Sports’ newest partners, ’Lil Anthony’s Pizza.

The TriAmerica Triathlon Series is America’s Triathlon Series, and is the only national program of its kind in the nation. This season, the Series will travel to eight destinations across the country, with each stop including the International and Sprint distance triathlons, the TriAmerica TriKidz Triathlon, and the two-day interactive TriAmerica Festival of Sports and Fitness. Now in its fourth year, the 2005 TriAmerica Series Tour will visit Clermont/Orlando, FL; Hampton, VA (June 18-19); Dallas/Irving, TX (July 2-3); Louisville, KY (July 30-31); Chicago-Zion, IL (August 20-21); St. Paul, MN (August 27-28); Avon-Vail, CO (September 3-4) and Miami, FL (October 1-2).

The TriAmerica Triathlon Series is owned and managed by Sommer Sports, a nationally recognized event management team with more than 20 years of event marketing/management experience. Sommer Sports is based in Clermont, Florida – the “World Triathlon Destination.” Sommer Sports races have received numerous awards including the USA Triathlon Race of the Year Award (two time recipient) and the Midwest Events Magazine Athlete’s Choice Award for our 2003 TriAmerica St. Paul, MN event.

Registration is still open for all events at www.triamerica.com, or at the race site on Saturday. For more info on the TriAmerica Series, please visit www.triamerica.com.