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TRIATHLON FACTS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2007

WHAT: Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3, consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. WHERE: The start, finish and transition area is on Clearwater Beach near Pier 60. The bike course extends south to Gandy Boulevard in St. Petersburg and north to East Lake Road in Tarpon Springs. WHO: More than 1,500 pro and age-group triathletes from the United States and around the world. WHEN: Saturday, starting at 7 a.m. with the professional women on the swim leg, followed by pro women at 7:10. Age-group swim waves start at 7:15 and the final wave starts at 8. PRIZE PURSE: $90,000 is split among the top 10 professional men and women, with the overall winners earning $18,000. Timex Ironman Watch Bonuses, worth $10,000, are up for grabs along the bike and run courses. 2006 CHAMPIONS: Men - Craig Alexander (Australia, 3:45:37); women - Samantha McGlone (Canada, 4:12:58). ONLINE: Live coverage on www.ironmanlive.com TRAFFIC CONTROL: Many of Clearwater's major roads and intersections will be affected by the cycling leg from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. If possible, police advise motorists to avoid the area during this time. If you drive in Clearwater on Saturday morning, expect delays and prepare to share multilane roads with the cyclists. Yield to bikes on the course at all times. SPECTATORS: Those who want to watch the race near the transition area and finish line can park in downtown Clearwater or Sand Key Park and take a shuttle bus to Pier 60. Shuttles will run continuously from 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. from downtown Clearwater at the Municipal Services Garage (East Avenue and Pierce Street), the courthouse (Chestnut Street and Oak Avenue), the county parking garage (Court Street and S. Osceola Avenue), the Fort Harrison lot (Chestnut Street and Fort Harrison Avenue) and from Sand Key Park's Court Street lot (Court Street and S. Osceola Avenue).