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

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

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.

Alex Boston (Bartow) – Florida State – Defensive End: Boston was not selected during the seven rounds of the draft, but was signed as a free agent the following day by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will report to rookie camp with the Jags May 15. Boston told The Ledger’s Rick Brown:

“I’m really not concerned,” he said. “Jacksonville did not have enough draft picks to draft me. But they signed me. They must have seen a lot in me to do that. Everything happens for a reason”

Lance Leggett (Bartow) – Miami – Wide Receiver: Leggett was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns and will report to their rookie camp soon. He will be competing for a WR spot on a very talented Browns offense.

Tony Joiner (Haines City) – Florida – Safety: Joiner will be heading Tennessee as he signed with the Titans following the draft as a free agent.

Justin Forsett (Mulberry) – Cal – Running Back: Forsett did not play at Mulberry High all four years due to a move to Texas his junior year, but he grew up in Polk County. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Seattle Seahawks.

We’ll keep you posted on all these players progress as they start the steep climb of making an NFL roster.