The welcome of Ironman 70.3 Florida this month kicks off a thrilling new era for Polk County!

Over 2,300 competitors from across the county, state, nation and even world will make their way to Haines City this weekend for the start of Ironman 70.3 Florida. Here, these triathletes will test their athletic abilities, stamina and competitive drive on the 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run.

Area residents will be able to take in the experience as the triathletes make their way through the course that includes a one-loop swim around Lake Eva, a bike route along one of Florida’s scenic highways and a three-loop run around Lake Eva. Among the triathletes will be seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong whose foundation recently partnered with Ironman in an effort to raise more than $1 million for those affected by cancer.

Previously held at Disney, this year’s Ironman event has relocated to Lake Eva Park in Haines City, just 30 minutes outside of Orlando, and will be held annually at this great setting through 2016.

Beginning at noon on Friday, May 18, the Ironman Village and the Lake Eva Park Bandshell will serve as the hub of all activities for the weekend. The Official Ironman Store will also open, and the public will be able to hear live music until 10:00 p.m.

Also part of the weekend will be the IronKids Florida event, which takes place the morning of Saturday, May 19. Young triathletes ages 6-15 will assemble at the starting line for a 7:00 a.m. start to a shortened version of the adult course.

The Ironman 70.3 Florida race officially begins Sunday at 6:30 a.m. As with previous days, live performances are scheduled throughout the day. The event wraps up Sunday evening and will conclude with an awards ceremony at 4:00 p.m.

Spectator Schedule of Events:

Friday 5/18
Noon – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Opens
Noon – 4 p.m. – Live Performance – Eli
6 – 10 p.m. – Live Performance – Spit Fire
7 p.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Closes

 Saturday 5/19
7 a.m. – IronKids Race Starts
9 a.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Opens
Noon – 1 p.m. – Live performance – Joey Foley and the Midnight Clogging Express
5 p.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Closes
5-9 p.m. – Live Performance – Un4giv’n

 Sunday 5/20
6:30 a.m. – Ironman 70.3 Florida Race Starts
7 a.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Opens
9 – 10 a.m. – Live performance – Jeff “Bull” Ferguson
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Live Performance – Steel Horse
3 p.m. – Ironman Village & Official Ironman Store Closes
4 p.m. – Awards Ceremony

Ironman Visitor Information

Swing for the Cure
Dates: Friday, May 18 – Saturday, May 19
Venue: Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club – Lake Wales
-The 3rd Annual ‘Swing for the Cure’ tournament will benefit cancer patients at Winter Haven Hospital.
-This charity golf event – organized by the Lewis Family Cancer Fund – will feature PGA tour professional Fuzzy Zoeller and a guest appearance by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd at the kickoff party on May 18.

FL ISA- Adult Memorial
Dates: Saturday, May 19 – Sunday, May 20
Venue: Loyce Harpe Park – Mulberry
-This is a Florida ISA qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in over 105 softball players to Loyce Harpe Park in Mulberry.

FYSA State Cup Finals & U19 State Cup Preliminaries
Dates: Saturday, May 19 – Sunday, May 20
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-The Florida Youth Soccer Association will host the Florida State Cup Finals, an open competition for any U13-U19 (boys and girls) FYSA registered team meeting the requirements of eligibility for participation.

Operation Tiger Trot
Date: Saturday, May 19
Venue: Lakeland Flying Tigers Stadium
-This 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Walk is an Armed Forces Day Celebration and the kick off to the entire day’s events that include a cadet games competition, Armed Forces Day Celebration, baseball game and fireworks.

Ironman 70.3 Florida
Date: Sunday, May 20
Venue: Lake Eva Park – Haines City
-The ninth annual Ironman 70.3 Florida triathlon moves from Orlando to Haines City this year.
-The one-loop bike route goes through Polk County and offers athletes the chance to enjoy views of citrus groves and cattle farms as they ride along the quiet country roads.
-The run course includes three loops around Lake Eva and finishes in a grassy park near the lake.
-The IronKids Florida triathlon will take place Saturday, May 19 at 7:00 a.m.

Upcoming Events:

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

LEGOLAND Florida Water Park Grand Opening – May 26 (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Reflections of Vietnam – June 8-9 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Florida’s Sunshine State Games: Polk County Festival – June 15-17 & 23-24

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Boktoberfest – October 20 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Event Links

• MidFlorida Mayfaire By-The-Lake Festival
• Ironman 70.3 Haines City 
• Sport Source Academy 3rd Annual Camp R.O.C.

Interviews:

• Brenda Friedman, Mayfaire Coordinator
• Maya Beck, Mayfaire Coordinator
• Rich Humber, Source Sports Academy
• Patrick McGee, Ironman 70.3 Haines City

Show Packages:

• Bartow High School Stinger Shoot Out 
• Detroit Tigers Major League Scramble
• Arts & Culture Update with Jessica Roberts

Show Sponsors:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland North I-4
• Abuelo’s
• Travelodge Lakeland North 
• Peebles Bar-B-Q
• Sunsplash Vacation Rental Homes
• Hampton Inn Lakeside Village
• Texas Cattle Company
• Holiday Inn Winter Haven

Original Air Date: May 4th, 2012

Next Show Date: May 18, 2012

2012 SSC Men’s & Women’s Tennis Championship
Dates: April 18 — April 21
Venue: Beerman Family Tennis Center – Lakeland
-This Sunshine State Athletic Conference event brings together 16 collegiate tennis teams (9 women’s teams and 7 men’s teams) from throughout the state of Florida for three days of championship competition and one practice day.

Area 6 Championship
Dates: April 19 — April 22
Venue: Universal Shooting Academy – Frostproof
-This regional championship is for qualifying shooters from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
-The event tests practical and action-pistol shooting. Top winners will progress to the USPSA National Championship.

10th Annual Lady Fire Shootout
Dates: April 20 — April 22
Venue: Lakeland
-Fire Youth Sports, Inc. presents the 10th Annual Lady Fire Shootout Classic held in the Lakeland area.

Winter Haven Stingrays-The Rowdy Cup
Dates: April 20 — April 22
Venue: Rowdy Gaines Center – Winter Haven
-The USA Sanctioned Swim Meet will be held at the Rowdy Gaines Center in Winter Haven.

2012 President’s Cup
Dates: April 21 — April 22
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-Champions from each of the Region’s Division 1 Region Cups will be traveling to Lake Myrtle Sports Park to compete in the 2012 President’s Cup presented by the Florida Youth Soccer Association.

Bike MS: The Citrus Tour
Dates: April 21 — April 22
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales
-The Bike for MS Citrus Tour is a two-day fundraising cycling event benefitting the National MS Society.
-Funds received are allocated towards local programs and services for those affected by multiple sclerosis and to support critical research for a cure.

Chain of Lakes Golf Splash
Date: POSTPONED UNTIL AUGUST 25
Venue: Begins and ends at Old Man Franks – Winter Haven
-Ridge Art Association presents the second annual Chain of Lakes Golf Splash.
-Modeled after the Conch Life Scramble in the Florida Keys, the Chain of Lakes Golf Splash is a nine-hole golf competition with boats replacing golf carts and holes located at various points on Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes.

Child of the Sun Jazz Festival and Urban Triathlon
Date: April 21
Venue: Lake Mirror Promenade – Lakeland
-This two-part event is both a Jazz festival and a triathlon sponsored by the Lakeland Rotary Club.
-The Jazz festival will have fireworks, food and legendary Jazz.
-The triathlon consists of a quarter mile swim, a twelve mile bike ride, and a three and half mile run.

Youth April Triple Slam
Dates: April 21 — April 22
Venue: Bartow 555 Complex
- This is an ISA qualifying tournament expected to bring in over 300 softball players.

Upcoming Events:

Legends & Legacies- D-Day Invasion of Normandy – May 11-12 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Legends & Legacies- Reflections of Vietnam – June 8-9 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Florida’s Sunshine State Games: Polk County Festival – June 15-17 & 23-24

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Other races Armstrong will participate in throughout the world include: Ironman 70.3 Panama, Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas, Ironman 70.3 Hawaii and Ironman France. Armstrong is racing with the goal of qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, on Oct. 13, 2012, and will be competing as a member of Team LIVESTRONG, which is adding these Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races to its endurance events series designed to raise funds for people affected by cancer. “I am grateful to Ironman for partnering with LIVESTRONG to raise funds and awareness for people affected by cancer,” said Armstrong. “In my career as an athlete and as a cancer advocate, I’ve learned that progress demands partnership, but it’s not without a struggle. And that’s what Team LIVESTRONG is about – it’s about purpose; it’s about challenge and it’s about empowering survivors to fight like hell. There’s progress to be made with cancer and we invite anyone up for the challenge to join Team LIVESTRONG.

“At 13 years old, Lance got his start in triathlon by racing in the IronKids Series,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of World Triathlon Corporation. “At 16 years old, he went pro and was considered a star in our sport. At only 18, he was racing against the best triathletes in the world: Mark Allen, Dave Scott and Scott Molina. We are happy to have him return to our sport. Lance is a fierce competitor and his involvement with Ironman and Ironman 70.3 is good for triathlon.”

“Lance’s involvement at perhaps the toughest one-day event in all of sport sheds light on what surviving cancer can mean to millions around the world,” said Scott Tinley, two-time Ironman World Champion and Ironman Hall of Fame Inductee. “I remember Lance as a determined kid who channeled that competitive spirit into an amazing career as a cyclist, survivor and advocate for survivors of a horrible disease. A partnership between LIVESTRONG and Ironman will further improve the lives of people affected by cancer. People need to realize that Lance’s foundation represents the use of sport to improve our world. There are only positive things that can come from having Lance join the Ironman family.”

“It is exciting to see Lance Armstrong, one of the greatest-ever endurance athletes, coming back to race triathlons in 2012,” said Craig Alexander, three-time Ironman World Champion and two-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion.

“Lance is an exceptional athlete; he’s the type of person who wants to excel and be the best at whatever he puts his mind to,” said Chris Lieto, multiple Ironman and Ironman 70.3 champion. “I’m excited to see how his participation in our sport will draw attention to what it takes to be a triathlete and how challenging it can be. It will definitely bring triathlon more into the mainstream and I know pro athletes, including myself, will look forward to racing with him at future events.”

Additional information about Lance Armstrong’s participation in Ironman 70.3 Florida can be found at VisitCentralFlorida.org.

Links:

• Southern Smokers BBQ
• Lake Wales Pioneer Days
• Bartow High School Girls Basketball
• Roar N’ Soar
• Red Trail Racing
• Lakeland Raiders

Interviews:

• Richard Murvin, Bartow High School Girls Head Basketball Coach
• Jeff Meeks, Red Trail Racing
• Feddy Azofeifa, Operations Manager, Lakeland Raiders
• Jeremy Burnett, Defensive End, Lakeland Raiders
• Ingrid Burch, Event Coordinator, Southern Smokers BBQ
• Lora Donley, BBQ Chair Southern Smokers BBQ Competition

Show Packages:

• Lake Wales Pioneer Days
• Roar N’ Soar
• Arts & Culture Update with Jessica Roberts

Show Sponsors:

• The Ledger
• Sunsplash Vacation Homes
• Days Inn Lakeland North
• Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille
• Holiday Inn Winter Haven
• Travelodge Lakeland North
• Ramada Inn Lakeland Hotel & Conference Center
• Peebles Bar-B-Q
• Hampton Inn Lakeside Village

Original Air Date: January 13th, 2012

North Ridge Bridge Run 5K Race

What: Join the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, the City Center Community Development District and the North Ridge Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board for the Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting of Ernie Caldwell Boulevard.

When: Saturday, January 7, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

-The Inaugural North Ridge Bridge Run 5k Race begins at 8:30 a.m.
-Dedication of Ernie Caldwell Boulevard and Ribbon Cutting will be held at 9:30 a.m.
-Antique Car Parade begins at 10:00 a.m.
-Displays and Activities until 12:00 p.m.

Where: The event will take place at Posner Park in Davenport. Turn at Posner Boulevard entrance and follow signs to parking on Royals Way.

Registration Information:
Register online at www.imathlete.com or by mail. Online registration closes at 11:59 on January 2.

Register now by January 2: $15
Register January 3 or after: $25

You can print the registration form here.

 2012 Warrior Dash- Central Florida

What: This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with music and warrior helmets. This is the wildest, muddiest, most fiery 5k run you will ever have the opportunity to participate in. With 12 seriously challenging obstacles ranging from mud-pits, to climbing walls, tight-rope walks and fire pits, finishing competitors are deserving of the title Warrior! Every participant will go home with a Warrior helmet, Warrior Dash t-shirt and custom Warrior Dash medal.

When: Saturday, January 21-Sunday, January 22 at

Where: Triple Canopy Ranch, Lake Wales

Registration Information:
Register online at Warrior Dash. Registration will close January 9, 2012 at 11:59p.m. Central.

Register now through January 9: Saturday- $65, Sunday- $65

 Ironman 70.3 Florida

What: Ironman 70.3 Florida has moved to a new location for 2012 at Lake Eva Park near Haines City and features an exciting new course.

Just 30 minutes outside of Orlando, Lake Eva Park provides a great setting for the event. The one-loop swim starts and finishes on a white sand beach. The transition area will be set up in a large parking lot on the site. The one-loop bike route goes through Polk County and offers athletes the chance to enjoy views of citrus groves and cattle farms as they ride along the quiet country roads, while the run course includes three loops around Lake Eva and finishes in a grassy park near the lake.

When: Saturday, May 19-Sunday, May 20

 Where: Haines City, Lake Eva Park

Registration Information:
Register online at ironmanhainescity.com.

General Entry:  Open through January 10- $225

                               January 11-April 4- $250

                               April 5- through close- $275

Relay Entry:    Open through January 10- $300

                               January 11-April 4- $350

                               April 5 through close- $375

For more information on these three events, please visit: centralfloridasports.com

Links:

• Detroit Tigers, Spring Training
• Independent Softball Association
• National Softball Association
• Home School World Series
• Florida Youth Soccer Association
• PSP Paintball World Cup
• Warrior Dash
• Lake Mirror Classic Auto Show
• Orange Cup Regatta
• Sun N’ Fun

Video Packages:

• Prospectwire Showcase
• Arts & Culture Update with Jessica Robers

Show Sponsors:

• Abuelos
• Holiday Inn Winter Haven
• Best Western Park View
• The Avenue Hotel
• Hollywood Window Tinting & Signs
• The Terrace Hotel
• Days Inn Lakeland North
• The Ledger

Original Air Date: December 2, 2011

Guests:

• Paul Bellingham, President of Spring Break Sports
• Kera Reber, Head Womens Lacrosse Coach, Florida Southern University
• Stephen Rodriguez, Vice President, Florida Sports Foundation
• Nick Gandy, Director Communications, Florida Sports Foudantion
• Stella Heath, Execitve Director, The Ritz Theatre Winter Haven

Links:

• Florida Sports Foundation Senior State Games
• Spring Break Sports
• Jim Stafford, “Home for Christmas” at The Ritz

Video Packages:

• Southeastern University Fire Soccer
• Triple Canopy Ranch Roots N’ Boots
• Arts & Culture Update with Jessica Robers

Original Air Date: December 2, 2011

 Florida State Soccer Association (FSSA) State Cup – Soccer
Dates: 5/14 – 5/15
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-This event will bring in 32 teams ages 18 and up from around the state equating to over 400 participants and 600 spectators.
-For more information visit www.centralfloridasports.com 

 Florida Flag Football League Tournament – Flag Football
Dates: 5/14 – 5/15
Venue: Simmers Young Park – Auburndale
-This event will bring in 20 adult flag football teams from around the state equating to over 200 participants and 400 spectators.
-For more information visit www.flaffl.com

 The National MS Society – Bike Ride – Cycling
Dates: 5/14 – 5/15
Venue: City of Winter Haven
-This event will bring in over 1400 participants and over 150 spectators to Polk County.
-For more information please visit www.centralfloridasports.com

 Independent Softball Association – Sunshine Shootout – Youth Fast Pitch Softball
Dates: 5/14 – 5/15
Venue: Bartow 555 Complex – Bartow
-This event will bring in over 700 participants and over 300 spectators to Polk County.
-For more information please visit www.isasoftball.com or www.centralfloridasports.com