St. Anthony’s Triathlon Named 2015 Florida Regional Championship by USA Triathlon

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (Feb. 18, 2015)  -- Competitors participating in the 2015 St. Anthony’s Triathlon can make the race their first step to qualify for this year’s USA Triathlon Olympic-Distance Championship in Milwaukee. USA Triathlon (USAT) has named the St. Anthony’s Triathlon as the Florida Regional Championship event for the Milwaukee race later this year.

The St. Anthony’s Triathlon, which attracts professional and amateur competitors from around the world, will be one of just 10 regional races that will qualify athletes for the Aug. 8 championship. Athletes who finish in the top 33 percent or top five (whichever is greater) in their age groups will automatically qualify for the summer championship.

The 32nd annual St. Anthony’s Triathlon weekend event will be held April 24-26, 2015 with races for all age groups and abilities, including the St. Anthony’s Triathlon Olympic-distance race; the sprint distance race, which made its debut in 2014; and the Meek & Mighty race for youth and novice adults. A two-day Sports and Fitness Expo will also be part of the weekend events held in downtown St. Petersburg, FL.  

“Since 1983, the USA Triathlon Olympic-Distance National Championships have brought together triathletes from throughout the country for the love of this sport,” said Susan Daniels, St. Anthony’s Triathlon race director. “We are honored to serve as a regional qualifier for such a prestigious and long-standing event.”

The St. Anthony’s Triathlon is a premier race event that has always attracted a wide range of professional and amateur athletes including Olympic gold medalists, Ironman world champions and celebrity athletes.

More than 3,700 athletes participated in the events in 2014 from more than 40 states, the District of Columbia and 10 countries. The roster included more than 90 pro athletes who competed for a portion of the $65,000 prize purse.

To register for any of the races, please visit www.SATriathlon.com. For more information about the 2015 races, athletes and fans can also visit St. Anthony’s Triathlon’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/StAnthonysTriathlon.

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. The hospital continues its rich history dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing high-quality, innovative and compassionate care. For more information on St. Anthony’s, call (727) 953-6993.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare Health System is a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area. Comprised of a network of 12 not-for-profit hospitals, outpatient facilities and services such as imaging, lab, behavioral health and home health care, BayCare provides expert medical care throughout a patient’s lifetime. With more than 280 access points conveniently located throughout Tampa Bay, BayCare connects patients to a complete range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for any health care need. 

BayCare’s hospitals include: Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant, Morton Plant North Bay, St. Anthony’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph’s Children’s, St. Joseph’s Women’s, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, St. Joseph’s Hospital-South, South Florida Baptist and Winter Haven. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org.

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