Type: 70.3

Ford Ironman 70.3 California triathlon takes place in Oceanside and on neighboring Camp Pendleton. With $30,000 in prize money and qualifying spots for both Kona and the Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship, the race is always competitive.

The event, which features a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run, typically includes include 2,200 athletes from more than 30 countries. The unique race features a harbor swim at Oceanside Harbor, a one-loop bike ride on neighboring Camp Pendleton, and a two-loop run along the ocean along the world famous Strand in Oceanside.

Athletes compete for 20 qualifying spots to the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, as well as 150 qualifying spots to the 2006 Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

The 2006 event actually marks the seventh year in a row that an Ironman affiliated event will take place in the area, as 2000 and 2001 saw Camp Pendleton and Oceanside play host to a full-distanced Ironman event.

In past years the Ford Ironman 70.3 California has featured a who's who of triathlon, including Ironman World Champions Lori Bowden, Heather Fuhr, Tim DeBoom and Peter Reid as well as 2000 Olympic medalist Michellie Jones.

2006 marks the first year of Ford Motor Company as title sponsor for the Ford Ironman 70.3 California.

http://www.ironmancalifornia.com

Added by Tribro on December 28th, 2007