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)

There will be a series of classes racing for the event, which will begin preparation on March 29th and run thru April 1st. The Event Schedule will begin with race practice on the 29th from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., and will continue on the 30th from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Pro races begin on Saturday the 31st from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and will go thru Sunday April 1st from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Kids Pro races will also be running on the afternoon of March 31st.

We will have food vendors, and the Humane Society of Polk County will also be at the event on Saturday. Don’t miss a wonderful opportunity to help a child, adopt a pet, and have some fun! Admission fees for Saturday and Sunday will range from $5.00 to $10.00, and bleacher seating is limited so make sure to get there early so that you can get up close to all the action.

Boys & Girls Club of Winter Haven is located at 2400 Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33881.

Race for the Kids on YouTube

RussMatt Central Florida Baseball Invitational (Week 6)
Dates: Now— March 30
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park, Chain of Lakes Baseball Complex and other baseball fields around the county
-Over 200 colleges annually in all divisions (NCAA D I, II, III, NAIA & JUCO), that’s more college teams than all other Florida spring break tournaments combined come to Polk County area for this tournament.
-Follow @CentralFLSports on Twitter and “Like” CFSports on Facebook for daily game schedule, game results, and weather updates.
-Scores are posted on Twitter daily.

Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Dates: Now – April 3
Games start at 1:05 p.m.
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium- Lakeland
-Spring Training for the Detroit Tigers is in action!  Check the schedule for daily home games.
This week’s home games:
Monday, March 26- Miami Marlins
Thursday, March 29- Washington Nationals at 6:05 p.m.
 Sunday, April 1- Houston Astros

38th Annual SUN ‘n FUN Fly In
Dates: March 27 — April 1
Venue: Florida Air Museum — Lakeland
-Offering over 250 open forums, hands-on-workshops, seminars, evening programs and industry dinners, plus four expo hangars and outside exhibits with over 500 aviation exhibitors, acres with over 4700 aircraft of all types & classes from vintage to war birds
-Also features a signature daily air show with the world premiere aerobatic stars and demonstration flights by military precision jet teams

Race for the Kids Foundation – Boat Racing
Dates: March 29 — April 1
Venue: Boys and Girls Club of Winter Haven
-Presented by the Race for the Kids Foundation, there will be over 80 teams from all over the U.S. competing in these hydroplane boat races; multiple classes running.
-This race benefits the Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs (Winter Haven, Lake Wales & Haines City).

SUN n’ FUN Splash-In at Fantasy of Flight
Date: March 29
Venue: Fantasy of Flight — Polk City
-Fantasy of Flight hosts the Splash-In on sparkling Lake Agnes as part of the 38th Annual SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In.
-Visitors will witness a variety of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft perform water landings and takeoffs as part of the competition.

2012 Hyperflite/Skyhoundz Southeast Regional Qualifier
Dates: March 30 — April 1
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park —Auburndale
-Canine Frisbee® has been around since at least the mid -1970’s, and has just recently become popular in Florida within the last several years.
-This year’s Southeast Regional Qualifiers will be held at Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale.

Stock Outboard Winter Nationals
Dates: March 30 – April 1
Venue: Lake Hollingsworth – Lakeland
-American Power Boat Association’s Stock Outboard Winter Nationals will host boats from 10-12′ in length with motors that range from 15 cubic inch up to 44 cubic inch. They will range in speeds from 40 mph in the Junior classes, where nine-year-olds can begin to compete up to 85 mph in the big 44 cubic inch classes.
-Two different hull designs will race, Hydro’s and Runabout’s, in each class. 
-Competitors from Maine to Washington State and everywhere in between will attend the event along with several Canadian teams.

March Meltdown
Dates: March 31 — April 1
Venue: Bartow “555” Complex
-The March Meltdown is a Florida ISA qualifying event that will be held at the Bartow “555” Complex. It is expected to have over 400 softball players participating.

Mustangs & Mustangs at Fantasy of Flight
 Date: March 31
Venue: Fantasy of Flight —Polk City
-Fantasy of Flight and the Imperial Mustang Club of Polk County team up for this 15th annual event, the only Mustang event in Florida that features both beautifully restored P-51 Mustang war birds from World War II and Ford Mustang automobiles.

Patrick Patriots Twirling Corps – Florida State Championship
Dates: March 31 — April 1
Venue: Polk State College —Winter Haven
-The Baton Twirling State Championship is a qualifier for the National Baton Twirling Association’s “Nationals” held in July. The event host novice, beginners, intermediate and advanced twirlers from Florida. However, it also will be expecting several twirlers to attend from out of state as it also holds an open contest. There will also be several teams/corps that come and compete in the group competition section.

Sketches & Steel by Albert Paley
Dates: March 31 — June 27
Venue: Polk Museum of Art —Lakeland
-This exhibition will focus on both sides of Paley’s creative process: the plan and the end product.
-His sculptures will be on view alongside the initial sketches Paley produced to create the sculptures.
-A reception to celebrate the exhibition will take place at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a lecture by the artist.

Rowdies Rush
Date: March 31
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park —Auburndale
-The Tampa Bay Rowdies wrap up the preseason campaign against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers with an exhibition match hosted by Florida Youth Soccer Association.

15th Annual Fire Shootout Classic
Dates: April 1 — April 29
Venue: Gyms across Lakeland, Bartow and Mulberry
-Fire Youth Sports, Inc. presents this qualifier where over a hundred teams from across the state are expected to participate.

Upcoming:

Legends & Legacies- Unspoken Valor: The Bomber Crews of World War II – April 13-14, 2012 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Citrus Classic 5K –April 14 ( LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

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

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

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

Currently racing here in Polk County in the Orange Cup Regatta are Howie, his father Pete, and daughter Becky. Howie and his father have participated in racing itself as well as officiating, chief refereeing and also as race chairman.

When listening to Howie speak about racing itself and his family’s participation, it was evident that this has been, and always will be, a passion of his, if passion could even describe his love for racing. Having his father on one side and daughter on the other make it all the more special. Throughout his racing career to date, Howie set and currently holds the world record in Lakeland in the SST-60 Class which he gained in 1999, and in 2006 he was the North American Champion in the same class.

Though his entire family does not currently reside in Florida, as they live in various states up and down the east coast, some still come down to cheer on their fellow racers, but most importantly family. Howie’s uncle, who previously raced, still comes down to watch, along with his brother, brother-in-law and nephew, all racers themselves.

When asked about his daughter’s racing experience, one story that came to mind was her first heat race. Howie reminisced about his anxiousness, nervousness, yet pure joy that he felt when watching Becky race for the first time. “I was petrified and paced back and forth but I was overcome with joy watching her. I knew deep down that I had taught her enough about racing that she would be just fine, which she was”. He said that to this day he still gets nervous watching Becky race, but loves to cheer her on.

To the Nichols family education is everything, especially when it comes to daughter Becky. As a sophomore in high school, this is their number one priority, with racing second. Howie said that they may travel all over the country for various races, but they do whatever it takes to make it back for Becky’s classes, even if it means driving through the night. If a race is on the weekend, once she is out of school, he will sometimes fly her out just to make sure that she is not missing any valuable class time.

Racing is not just a sport to participate in or watch, but it became a family that connected Howie with so many people throughout the United States. He spoke of having not only his biological family but also about the racing family that he has created through the sport of powerboat racing. It has been a network which created opportunity no matter where he and his family may be. These race participants could be on the water one minute competing and fighting for the same titles, but once they are off the water it is back to being a normal family, joking around.

Trying other sports has crossed Howie’s mind and he tried out go kart racing, cars, motorcycles, but something was still missing and he was continually drawn back to boat racing. No matter where he has to travel, Howie will be there, from California to Michigan to Florida, and will continue to pass down the tradition of boat racing to generations to come.

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:

• 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

USSSA – Christina Flames – October fest
Dates: 10/1 – 10/2
Venue: Christina Park-Lakeland
-This softball event is expected to bring in a minimum of 25 teams with ages raging from 8 to 18 years of age. There will be about 300 participants and about 500 spectators from out of county.
-For more information, please visit www.christinaflames.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

 Tuff Luck Ranch – Cornfusion 5K Ranch Run
Dates: 10/1
Venue: Tuff Luck Ranch – Lakeland
-This is a 3.1 mile off-road coarse consisting of traditional Florida ranch scenery and the not-so-taditional scenery of a sunflower field, pumpkin patch, and corn maze, all which you will enjoy free entry to with your race bib. Proceeds of this race will benefit The Dre Aloia Miracle Recovery Fund. Race time starts at 8:00 a.m. Awards will be given to the overall male and female finishers, as well as the top 3 runners in male and female age categories. Kids run free at 9:00 a.m.
-For more information please visit www.cornfusion5k.weebly.com/ or www.centralfloridasports.com

 Miaze Inc. – Cornfusion Corn Maze
Dates: 10/1 – 10/30
Venue: Tuff Luck Ranch – Lakeland
-The Cornfusion Corn Maze is something fun for everyone! This month-long celebration consists of a real corn field maze, mini mazes, farm animals, a corn box, a corn cannon, a cow train, a hayride, a pumpkin patch and more!! The Cornfusion Corn Maze will be held in Lakeland. It is open on weekends only. Admission includes all attractions.

            Adults $10                                                  Friday 2 p.m – 8 p.m
            Children (5-10) $8                                      Saturday 9 p.m – 8 p.m
            4 & under FREE                                        Sunday 12 p.m – 8 p.m

-For more information, please visit www.themaize.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

 Florida Southern College “Eastern Collegiate Regionals” – Water Ski
Dates: 10/1 – 10/2
Venue: Lake Grew, Polk City
-A one round, three event tournament that will determine top teams for regional standings and national placement at Bennetts Ski School in Louisiana on Oct. 13-15. The tourney also determines the D1 and D2 teams for Nationals as well.
-For more information please visit http://www.flsouthern.edu or www.centralfloridasports.com