Athletes to compete in final world championship qualifier at IRONMAN 70.3 Lubbock triathlon
The race begins at dawn, but it's last call for athletes hoping to advance to the world championship.
Around 1,100 competitors are signed up for the IRONMAN 70.3 Lubbock triathlon, which is set for 6:30 a.m. Sunday. The race, which begins with a swim in Dunbar Historical Lake and ends with a run on the Texas Tech campus, is the final qualifier for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship later this year.
Lubbock has hosted an annual triathlon for more than 30 years, with what began as Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon, founded by Mike Greer. The longtime triathlete and event organizer died July at 82 following complications from a motorcycle wreck on the way to last year's IRONMAN 70.3 Lubbock.
"He left a remarkable legacy on our community and the triathlon community," Lubbock mayor Tray Payne said during a May news conference. "It was in his blood, and he was just a remarkable man, remarkable athlete, and that's kind of the only way you can describe it — remarkable for all he could do and all he did for our community."
Sunday's field includes athletes from age 18 to 79, with each pursuing a world-championship bid in his or her respective age group. IRONMAN regional manager Scott Langen said the qualification is "fluid" based on the number who have already clinched spots, but the top two should advance.
The 70.3 world championship is Oct. 28 and 29 in St. George, Utah.
San Antonio resident Mark Saroni, then 32, won the Lubbock triathlon last year in 4 hours, 1 minute and 26 seconds. A 41-year-old Jana Richtrova was the top-finishing female, clocking in at 4:33.59. Neither had signed up as of May 3, according to IRONMAN.
With a forecast high in the low- to mid-80s Sunday, conditions could be ideal for Lubbock in late June. The weather could also lend itself to better times, Langen said.
"The years that it's been really hot in Lubbock, the times have been more average," he said. "If the weather reports start remaining true … we could have some faster times."
IRONMAN 70.3 Lubbock
When: 6:30 a.m. Sunday
Where: The course begins at Dunbar Historical Lake and ends at the Texas Tech engineering key.
More information: Visit lubbockironman.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: IRONMAN 70.3 Lubbock triathlon to feature around 1,100 competitors
