Thousands Gather in St. Petersburg for the 36th Annual St. Anthony’s Triathlon
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL (April 18, 2019) – World Champions, Olympians, and a well-rounded roster of professional athletes comprise the field for the 36th Annual St. Anthony’s Triathlon that returns to St. Petersburg on Sunday, April 28. More than 3,000 athletes from 41 states, the District of Columbia, and eight countries participated in the 2018 events, and this year’s total participant count is looking to be even greater.
Final preparations are underway for the athletic competition that is considered to be one of the sport’s leading events in the United States. From novice youth to age group amateurs to some of the best triathletes in the world, thousands of athletes of all ages and abilities will be in downtown St. Petersburg from April 26 – 28 to attend the Sports and Fitness Expo and compete in one of three events: the Meek & Mighty Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon or the Olympic distance race at St. Anthony’s Triathlon.
The Olympic distance Triathlon and the Sprint Triathlon will be held Sunday, April 28, while the Meek & Mighty Triathlon will be Saturday, April 27. Approximately 35 professional triathletes will compete, including Sarah Haskins-Koruem who will be going for her record eighth win at St. Anthony’s. If Haskins-Koruem wins this year, it would make her the only female pro to win St. Anthony’s eight times.
The list of female professional triathletes also includes: Holly Benner, Ginger Howell, Lindsey Jerdonek, Alicia Kaye, Meredith Kessler, Kearci Smith and Kyra Wiens.
None of the current male competitors has won St. Anthony’s Triathlon previously. Jason West captured the 2nd place podium spot in 2018, while Jackson Laundry placed 4th in last year’s event.
Other professional triathletes participating this year include: Todd Burns, Nicholas Chase, Robbie Deckard, Ian Hoover-Grinde, Jackson Laundry, Andre Lopes, Joe Maloy, Seth Ruhling, Rodolphe Von Berg, Jason West, Timothy Winslow and Matthew Wisthoff.
Professionals will compete for a $56,000 prize purse. Since the event is a USAT Olympic Distance and Paratriathlon Regional Championship event, registered USAT athletes will be able to qualify at the St. Anthony’s Triathlon for the 2019 USAT National Championships in Cleveland, Ohio, to be held August 10-11, 2019. In order to qualify for the National Championships, competitors must finish in the top 35 percent or top five (whichever is greater) competitors per their respective age groups.