2010 St. Anthony's Triathlon Airs Nationally on Versus Network Sunday, October 3, at 3:30 P.M.

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Sep 27, 2010, 05:39 ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thousands of athletes from around the world, including one of the sport's deepest pro fields, can be seen competing in the 2010 St. Anthony's Triathlon held earlier this year in downtown St. Petersburg when the Sunday, Oct. 3, national broadcast airs at 3:30 p.m. EDT on the Versus Network.

Now in its 27th year, St. Anthony's Triathlon, which traditionally marks the year's first major race in the U.S., attracts some of the world's best athletes who relish the scenic, waterfront course, competitive field and expertise that goes into managing this Olympic-distance event. St. Anthony's Triathlon has been named "Race of the Year" by USA Triathlon and has also served as a qualifier for the Ironman World Championship. In 2010, it was once again the USA Triathlon Regional Championship.

This year's broadcast represents only the second time St. Anthony's Triathlon has been nationally televised. Highlights from the April 24 – 25, 2010 competition that combines swimming, cycling and running will include more than 4,000 athletes representing 46 states and 18 countries racing to complete a course that encompasses a 1.5-kilometer (.92 miles) swim, a 40-kilometer (24.85 miles) bike ride and 10-kilometer (6.21 miles) run.

In addition to the main event on Sunday, there was also the Meek & Mighty Triathlon that was held Saturday, April 24, which featured shorter distances for youths and novice adult competitors.

St. Anthony's Triathlon, sponsored and produced by St. Anthony's Hospital, is an annual competition. The three-day event weekend includes a sports and fitness expo, the Meek & Mighty Triathlon and St. Anthony's Triathlon. Online registration for the May 1, 2011 St. Anthony's Triathlon opens Dec. 1, 9 a.m., EST at satriathlon.com.

Cameron Dye of Boulder. Colo., returned after finishing seventh last year, and won his first St. Anthony's Triathlon championship title with a time of 1:48:44. Sarah Haskins, who lead the professional women's field in 2008, re-claimed her title with a time of 1:58:49. Haskins, a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.

About St. Anthony's Hospital

St. Anthony's Hospital is a 395-bed hospital founded in 1931 as a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and is the first and only faith-based hospital in Pinellas County. In 1997, St. Anthony's became part of BayCare Health System, a joint operating agreement between the Tampa Bay area's leading not-for-profit hospitals. St. Anthony's has a rich history dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing high-quality, innovative and compassionate care.

About BayCare Health System

BayCare Health System is a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area. Composed of a network of 10 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 195 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 family of hospitals are: Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant, Morton Plant North Bay, St. Anthony's, St. Joseph's, St. Joseph's Children's, St. Joseph's Hospital-North, St. Joseph's Women's, and South Florida Baptist. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org.

SOURCE BayCare Health System