World Champions and Past Winners Highlight 2012 St. Anthony's Triathlon Field

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Mar 16, 2012, 10:47 ET

Greg Bennett and Mirinda Carfrae are Among Pros Scheduled to Compete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Featuring a number of world champions and past title winners, the St. Anthony's Triathlon boasts one of its strongest fields for the 2012 competition, scheduled for Sunday, April 29 in St. Petersburg, Fla. The international-distance race (1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run) is the second event of the 2012 global 5150 Triathlon Series, offering athletes coveted points toward 5150 U.S. Championship qualification.

St. Anthony's 2011 men's and women's winners, Filip Ospaly and Sarah Haskins, will be back to defend their titles.

Challenging Ospaly this year is a men's field featuring several top athletes, including Greg Bennett, 2011 Hy-Vee 5150 Champion and Olympian; Chris McCormack, 2010 Ironman World Champion; and Andy Potts, Ironman 70.3 World Champion and Olympian.

Haskins will be going for her fourth consecutive St. Anthony's Triathlon title. She'll be challenged by a strong group that includes Mirinda Carfrae, 2010 Ironman World Champion; Becky Lavelle, two-time St. Anthony's winner and 2010 Ironman 70.3 champion; and Lesley Paterson, the 2011 Xterra World Champion.

Known for its scenic course along the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, St. Anthony's Triathlon also has been named one of 10 USA Triathlon Regional Championship events for 2012. The regional events qualify the top 33 percent per age group for the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship. The 2012 Age Group National Championship is scheduled take place in Burlington, Vt., on Aug. 18.

St. Anthony's Triathlon attracts approximately 3,500 individuals and 125 relay teams each year from more than 45 states and nearly 20 countries. The race weekend will also include an extensive event expo April 27-28 and the Meek & Mighty Triathlon on April 28, a shorter-distance race for youth ages 7-14 and novice adults. Athletes will compete for a professional prize purse totaling $65,000 in addition to $10,000 in prizes for the top male and female competitors in the Elite Amateur division.

Visit www.SATriathlon.com for an up-to-date list of participants and other details.

The 5150 series is an International distance triathlon consisting of: 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run. It is the largest international distance triathlon series in the world and the first non-drafting international race series of its kind, offering a competitive platform for professional and age-group athletes. The 2012 event schedule offers 10 domestic events as well as eight international races. The Hy-Vee Triathlon will play host the 5150 U.S. Championship on Sept. 2 in Des Moines, Iowa, offering professional athletes the opportunity to compete for $1 million in prize money.

About World Triathlon Corporation
World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is a Tampa-based company recognized for athletic excellence, distinguished events and quality products. WTC's portfolio includes Ironman, Ironman 70.3, 5150 Triathlon Series, Iron Girl and IronKids brands, which have a combined total of more than 180 events worldwide each year. Supported by partners including Ford, Timex, Foster Grant and PowerBar, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world and has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978.

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 its 81st year, the hospital continues its 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 200 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.