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1,700-plus to take part in Clearwater triathlon Saturday

Staff photo by ERIC HAUSMANN

Marin Pastar of Croatia is among the nearly 2,000 triathletes competing in Saturday's event in Clearwater.

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By CHIP OSOWSKI | News Channel 8

Published: November 11, 2009

CLEARWATER - This week, athletes from all over the world are converging on Clearwater for the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman Championship.

More than 1,700 athletes are participating in Saturday's event, which involves a 1.2-mile swim, a 13.1-mile run and a 56-mile bike race.

More than 90,000 athletes vie for slots for the event each year. City workers have laid out barricades in preparation for the event, and they've put up signs warning drivers of the upcoming road closures.

The event will involve widespread closures all over central and northern Pinellas County.

It takes month of training and tons of discipline to participate, say the athletes.

"You just have to train as much as you can and it takes a lot," said Marin Pastar, who is from Croatia. "This is my first time competing here in the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship. It's been my dream for quite a few years now and I just happened to have qualified just this past year. "

Clearwater has hosted the triathlon the past several years, and every year it brings millions of dollars to the local economy. With the economy in its current state, city leaders are hoping for the same this year.

The triathlon kicks off at 5 a.m. Saturday.

Reporter Chip Osowski can be reached at (813) 221-2784

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