BEIJING – (September 10, 2013) An impressive field of professional triathletes are set to travel to China to participate in the 2013 Beijing International Triathlon, on Saturday, September 21. This will mark the second year IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, in partnership with the Fengtai Sports Bureau of Beijing, will host this race that showcases the beauty and history of the Fengtai District of Beijing, China.
Olympians and IRONMAN champions are amongst the field of more than 18 professional triathletes and hundreds of amateur racers set to compete in this Olympic distance race for $100,000 in prize money. Professional male triathletes set to participate include: Olympian Javier Gomez Noya (ESP); Olympian Matt “Boom Boom” Reed (USA); three-time IRONMAN 70.3 UK Champion Fraser Cartmell (GBR); Olympian Greg Bennett (AUS); Olympian Mario Mola (ESP); Brian Fleischmann (USA); and Graham O’Grady (NZL).
The professional female triathletes set to race include: Olympian and last year’s Beijing International Triathlon winner Sarah Groff (USA); Olympian Lisa Norden (SWE); Olympian Laura Bennett (USA); Olympian Ricarda Lisk (GER) seven-time IRONMAN New Zealand champion Joanna Lawn (NZL); Jenna Parker (USA); Carolina Routier Canigueral (ESP); and Zhang Yi (CHN).
“Following a successful first year, Beijing Fengtai is honored to host the 2013 Beijing International Triathlon, at the beautiful Qing Long Lake Park, as part of our five year partnership with IMG,” said Fengtai District Vice Governor Feng Gao. “This is a very special year for Fengtai – in addition to the triathlon, the district is also hosting the 9th Annual China (Beijing) International Garden Expo, showcasing both traditional and modern gardening, in China. This event takes place throughout 2013 and we invite all the triathletes and their family members to visit and enjoy the culture and history of the Garden Expo.”
The 2013 Beijing International Triathlon is part of the Escape to Alcatraz Triathlon Series, and the only qualifying event in Asia for the iconic Escape from Alcatraz™ Triathlon. Coveted race slots for the infamous 2014 Escape from Alcatraz™ Triathlon will be awarded to the top 50 men and women across each group and division of this race.
The course will showcase the eco-friendly environment and cultural attractions in Fengtai including a 1.5 km swim in the heart of Qing Long Lake Park; a challenging 40 km bike race through quaint villages of Fengtai and up Qian Ling Mountain, the highest peak in Southwest Beijing; and a final 10 km run along stone paths, wooded trails and beautiful bridges showcasing the unique architecture of the area.
The 2013 Beijing International Triathlon will take place on Saturday, September 21, at Qing Long Lake Park, in the Fengtai District of Beijing, China. The public is invited to watch the race at the start/finish line in Qing Long Lake Park, as well as attend the free race expo which will take place Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21, in the park. The Nangong Spring Season Hotel is the official race hotel of the Beijing International Triathlon. The Beijing International Triathlon is owned by the Fengtai Sports Bureau of Beijing and produced by IMG Worldwide. Follow the race at www.facebook.com/BeijingTri and www.twitter.com/Beijing_Tri and visit www.
