More than 500 Athletes from Across the Globe will Participate on March 11-12
Sarasota, FL (March 8, 2017) – More than 500 athletes from across the country and the world will converge on Nathan Benderson Park to participate in the fifth annual Sarasota-Bradenton ITU Triathlon being held on March 11-12. A two-day event that features a 750-meter swim in the lake, a 20K bike ride and a 5K run, it attracts athletes of all abilities and age groups as well as athletes trying to qualify for their Olympic teams. Spectators are welcome to come cheer the athletes on to victory.
“We are pleased the ITU Triathlon is back again at Nathan Benderson Park,” said Robert J. Sullivan, CFE, president and CEO of SANCA, the non-profit that manages the park. “This Triathlon was the first event ever held on Regatta Island and it’s wonderful to be hosting it again this year.”
The weekend is comprised of eight events including the CAMTRI Elite Triathlon Championships; the CAMTRI North American Junior Championships; the CAMTRI Paralympic Championships; the CAMTRI Mixed Relay Championships; the Youth Elite Cup; and an Age Group/Collegiate Sprint Race. Highlights include the CAMTRI Sprint Championships where athletes from around the world compete for points to make their Olympic Teams; the CAMTRI North American Championships featuring the best athletes in the world aged 19 and under; and possibly the most compelling event of all, the CAMTRI Paratriathlon Championships where athletes with disabilities complete the course.
Races begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, and conclude Sunday afternoon. Access to Nathan Benderson Park will be limited between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. both days to accommodate the course. Park users should enter the park at Athletes Drive from Honore Avenue and parking will be located along the road and in the small lot on Athletes Drive. The second access point will access point will be at the southern entrance of World Championship Drive at Cattlemen Road where the County Sheriff’s department will be assisting with park access.
For more information about the event, visit nathanbendersonpark.org or sarasotatri.com.
ABOUT SANCA
The Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, Inc. (SANCA), is a not-for-profit business created to manage Nathan Benderson Park, a county-owned, community/public asset and world class, multi-use sports venue. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for our community and be an economic generator for the Sarasota-Bradenton area. SANCA’s primary purpose is to develop and promote Nathan Benderson Park as a world class event center, team training site and Sarasota County Park, while providing outreach programs through recreation, safety training, education and volunteering as a service to our community.