Ironman 70.3 Florida Set to Welcome 2800 Triathletes in First Polk County Event

Family Activities are the Highlight of the Three Day Event Centered Around Haines City’s Lake Eva Park

Competitors from as far away as Norway, Japan and Australia will descend on Polk County to test their athletic abilities, stamina and competitive drive this Sunday on the 70.3 mile swimming, running and cycling course. While the more than 2300 adult athletes, including seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, will be focused on the competition and the challenge provided by the course, area residents will be able to take in the Ironman experience on a much more leisurely pace. Lake Eva Park in Haines City will host three full days of activities that will appeal to the entire family, May 18-20.

Beginning on Friday, May 18 the Ironman Village and the Lake Eva Park Bandshell will serve as the hub of all activities during Ironman weekend. The Bandshell will feature live entertainment throughout the weekend and the Ironman Village will serve as perfect gathering and meeting place for spectators and will feature exhibitor booths, a demo day area, the Ironman Store and many other product and service displays.

Competition gets underway on Saturday morning as more than 500 IronKids triathletes line up at the starting line for a 7 a.m. start. Youth ages 6-15 will take center stage as they tackle a shortened version of the adult course

Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Florida competition begins at 6:30 a.m. with the 1.2 mile swim in Lake Eva. Upon completion of the swim competitors will then embark on the 56 mile bicycle ride through eastern Polk County and then complete the competition on the 13.1 mile running course utilizing the roads around Lake Eva. The event will conclude with the awards ceremony at the Lake Eva Park Bandshell at 4 p.m.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday 5/18

Noon – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Opens
Noon – 4 p.m. – Live Performance – Eli
6 – 10 p.m. – Live Performance – Spit Fire
7 p.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Closes

Saturday 5/19

7 a.m. – IronKids Race Starts
9 a.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Opens
Noon – 1 p.m. – Live performance – Joey Foley and the Midnight Clogging Express
5 p.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Closes
5-9 p.m. – Live Performance – Un4giv’n

Sunday 5/20

6:30 a.m. – Ironman 70.3 Florida Race Starts
7 a.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Opens
9 – 10 a.m. – Live performance – Jeff “Bull” Ferguson
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Live Performance – Steel Horse
3 p.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Closes
4 p.m. – Awards Ceremony

For more information go to www.centralfloridasports.com.