St. Anthony’s Triathlon Welcomes World-Class and Amateur Athletes from Around the World on April 26 – 28

Thousands Gather in St. Petersburg for the 36th Annual St. Anthony’s Triathlon

**FOR MEDIA CREDENTIAL, PLEASE CONTACT NATASHA LaBEAUD ANZURES AT
natasha@smackmedia.com 

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. 

The 2019 St. Anthony’s Triathlon weekend events are as follows: 

Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28:

• Sports and Fitness Expo, Straub Park, 500 Beach Drive
  • Friday: Noon – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Registration is available on site at the Expo.
  • Sunday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 27:

• Meek & Mighty Triathlon, North Shore Pool, 901 North Shore Drive
  Shorter distance race for youths ages 7-14 and novice adults, 7:30 a.m. start time.

Sunday, April 28:

• St. Anthony’s Triathlon, North Shore & Vinoy Parks,
  Olympic distance race (1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run)
  • 6:50 a.m. start time.

• St. Anthony’s Sprint Race, North Shore & Vinoy Parks (750-meter swim, 20K bike, 5K run)
  • Approx. 8:45 a.m. start time.

For more information about the 2019 races, athletes, St. Anthony’s Triathlon Health & Fitness Expo and surrounding activities, visit SATriathlon.com or the St. Anthony’s Triathlon’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/StAnthonysTriathlon. We invite you to be a part of the conversation using the hashtag, #StAnthonysTri.

About St. Anthony’s Hospital
St. Anthony’s Hospital is a 393-bed hospital founded in 1931 as a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and was the first faith-based hospital in Pinellas County. For more information on St. Anthony’s, call (727) 953-6993.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.

###