4,000 competitors expected to take part

Imagine going for a morning swim. Nothing too crazy, just about a mile.

Or how about possibly a bike ride, a bit of a hike at roughly 24 miles?

Or possibly an invigorating jog of about six miles?

Now try all three in one morning - first the swim, then the bike ride with the run to complete the morning.

That's what thousands will be doing Sunday for the 26th St. Anthony's Triathlon, one of the signature sporting events in the Tampa Bay area. The two-day event will close with its signature triathlon Sunday morning beginning at 6:52 at Vinoy Park on the downtown waterfront in St. Petersburg.

Some 4,000 individuals and 150 relay teams from 45 states, 18 countries, and six U.S. territories are scheduled to participate in a weekend full of events and races.

The purse for the triathlon is $54,000 with the winner pocketing $10,000.

Several top triathletes are expected to compete, including Matt Reed, who won the event the past two years.

Other participants who fans may recognize: Greg Bennett, a former St. Anthony's winner and the 2008 Triathlete Magazine Short-course Athlete of the Year; Andy Potts, the 2007 Ironman 70.3 world champion; Terenzo Bozzone, the 2008 Ironman 70.3 world champion; Laura Bennett, a past St. Anthony's champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian; Joanna Zeiger, a 2008 Ironman 70.3 world champion; Becky Lavelle, a 2005 and 2006 St. Anthony's Triathlon winner; and Mirinda Carfrae, a 2007 Ford Ironman 70.3 champion.

Last year Reed, of Boulder, Colo., who was ranked No. 2 entering the triathlon, won in 1:46:34, beating Potts by 18 seconds. Potts was the triathlon's top seed.

Sarah Haskins of Colorado Springs, Colo., won last year's women's division in 1:59.24, just more than a minute ahead of Rebeccah Wassner of New York City. Haskins was the top seed and Wassner was seeded third.

Sunday morning's triathlon completes a weekend of events which includes a sports and fitness expo that is today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Straub Park.