Posted: August 30, 2005

Triathlon: Two-time defending champion Harju to compete at 2005 Ford Ironman

MADISON, Wisc.-Two-time defending Ford Ironman Wisconsin Champion Dave Harju (Canada) will compete at the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin being held on Sept. 11 in Madison, Wisc.

Harju claimed the first Ironman title of his career at the 2003 Ford Ironman Wisconsin with an overall time of eight hours, 55 minutes and 26 seconds. The Canadian standout successfully repeated the feat a year later at the 2004 Ford Ironman Wisconsin with a time of 8:52:33.

Harju has posted top-ten finishes in nine Ironman events, including Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid (2000, 2002 and 2004) and Ford Ironman Florida (2001, 2003 and 2004).

More than 2,000 triathletes from around the world are expected to compete in the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin. Athletes will be competing for 80 qualifying spots to the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $30,000 pro- prize purse.

The race website is at: www.ironmanwisconsin.com.