This was posted in a cycling-related forum that I check out every so often. As many of you probably know, Tyler Hamilton's two year ban from competitive cycling is up and looks like he is going to compete in this year's Silverman. His relay team is attempting to break the 8 hour mark and will receive a nice paycheck if they do. I haven't heard of the runner (Ernest Kimeli) but I do know about Eric Vendt - he's very quick.

Would like to get your thoughts on whether or not this feat is achievable - a sub 8 hour iron distance race on a pretty tough course.

The cycling forum says that Tyler's bike will be around 4:45 to 4:50. I'm guessing Vendt's swim time should be around 40 or so minutes.

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PROFESSIONAL RELAY TEAM LED BY TYLER HAMILTON REGISTERS FOR THE NEVADA SILVERMAN
DATE: 26-SEP-2006
HENDERSON, Nev. – September 26, 2006 – Frank Lowery, of Lowery’s Multisport Races along with the City of Henderson, announced today that a new professional relay team has registered for the Nevada Silverman Triathlon. The three man U.S.-based team will consist of Tyler Hamilton, Ernest Kimeli and Erik Vendt. All three athletes are previous triathlon or Olympic top finishers.

The Silverman is offering a $100,000.00 prize purse to the first combination relay team that can break the 8-hour mark on the course. The Nevada Silverman is a full-distance triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim; 112-mile bike and 26.2 mile run held annually in Henderson, Nevada.

The most high profile of the trio is Tyler Hamilton, in 2003 Hamilton finished fourth place in the Tour De France, but his greatest accomplishment was winning an Olympic Gold Medal in 2004. Ernest Kimeli who has run a 2:11 marathon and 1:04 half marathon will be completing the run portion of the race; Kimeli most recently won the Parkersburg Half Marathon as well as the Medellin Half Marathon. Erik Vendt will be completing the swim portion of the race; Erik is a world class swimmer, most well known for his 2000 Olympic Silver Medal. He is the American record holder in 1500m free (scm) and the former American record-holder in 1500m free (lcm) and was the first American to ever break 15 minutes in the latter event.

“The competition for the $100,000.00 has just heated up. This high profile relay team, led by Tyler Hamilton will surely put the pressure on other professional relay teams that have registered for the Silverman including Chris Lieto, Jamie Patrick and Brian Astell,� said Lowery. “We could witness a historical athletic moment if one of these teams breaks 8 hours on our course.�

Beating the 8-hour mark has always been the ultimate goal in the sport of triathlon. Although it has been achieved in the past, 8 hours still maintains its allure as “the time to beat� and has never before been offered up as a challenge for any relay team. Teams can consist of any combination of professional or amateur athletes willing to take the challenge.

The Nevada Silverman Triathlon will initiate in-competition drug testing at the 2006 Event. All participants will be subject to testing which will be conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agencies International Standards for Doping Control. The specific details of the testing program will be announced to all participants prior to the event.

The Silverman Triathlon is a full-distance triathlon held in Henderson, Nevada.

Branded as the toughest course in North America by "The Man" himself, Dave Scott, and echoed by the 244 finishers from 2005, the Nevada Silverman is sure to attract individuals and relay teams from around the world in 2006. This years’ event, sponsored by Centra, the City of Henderson, Interstate Plumbing and Storage One, will take place Sunday, November 12, 2006. For registration or more information on the Nevada Silverman Full Distance Triathlon please visit silvermannv.com.