4,000 amateurs to join them for 25th annual St. Anthony's Tri
April 25, 2008
-- You know you have a successful event when the participant list is 105 pages long. Such is the case for race director Philip LaHaye and the world-renowned St. Anthony’s Triathlon. Started in 1984, St. Anthony’s was a race that was destined for big things from the start. The inaugural event attracted over 600 participants, which constituted a lion’s share of USAT’s total membership at the time. As the sport has continued to boom for the past two-and-a-half decades, St. Anthony’s has steamrolled right along with it, becoming one of a handful of events to boast 4,000 participants.
While the sheer magnitude of 4,000 athletes competing simultaneously makes St. Anthony’s legendary, the world-class elite field that shows up each year always makes for an exciting event. This year is no exception when it comes the pro start list, which pits Ironman champions against Gold Medal hopefuls, in what is sure to be a tight race for both the men and women.
Kona Endurance, makers of a wide range of sports supplements, has set up a “Fantasy Triathlon” game, which allows you to win free product by picking the winners at St. Anthony’s. To play, click
HEREBefore you play, check out our pre-race handicap below and make your picks.
The MenGreg Bennett (AUS) 3:1 – You really can’t bet against Bennett at any event he shows up to. The only thing the Aussie is bad at is losing, which he didn’t do at all last season. Olympic distance, non-drafting races are his bread and butter and even if he’s down headed out of T2, his blistering 10k is quick enough to catch anyone in the field.
Matty Reed (USA) 6:1 – Giving Matty six to one odds may sound like a dig (considering he just won the Olympic Trials), but coming off of a hard race last weekend, we can’t expect the St. Anthony’s course record holder to peel off another win. That being said, Reed is the best cyclist in the field and will look to pull away on the bike.
Andy Potts (USA) 7:1 – Potts is far and away the fastest swimmer in the race and he’ll look to lead start to finish. At last week’s Olympic Trials, a fast-moving pack of riders was able to reel in Potts on the bike, but this time there’s no drafting allowed, so Potts may be able to stay away.
Stephen Hackett (AUS) 12:1 – A dangerous athlete in all three disciplines, with an impressive World Cup resume. If the Aussie is near the lead five kilometers into the run, he’s got the kick to blow by the rest of the field.
Craig Alexander (AUS) 15:1 – Two years ago Crowie would have been the favorite at just about any short-course race on the planet. Now, the fleet-footed Aussie has shifted his focus to long-course events, but we know he can still rip off one hell of a 10k.
Chris McCormack (AUS) 20:1 – Like Crowie, Macca still has plenty of short-course snap and you can never really count the reigning Ironman World Champ out of any race.
Other Notables –
Richie Cunningham (AUS); David Thompson (USA); Faris Al-Sultan (GER); Massimo Cignana (ITA); Fraser Cartmel (GBR); Kevin Collington (USA)The WomenSarah Haskins (USA) 4:1 – The 27-year-old Olympic hopeful has become one of the best short-course runners in the country. She’s already had some impressive showings at the Miami Triathlon and Olympic Trials this season.
Julie Dibens (GBR) 7:1 – The Brit is one of the most versatile triathletes in the world, recording podium finishes in everything from Ironman 70.3 to XTERRA. Watch out for her on the bike.
Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 8:1 – Don’t be surprised is Carfrae is well back of the pack heading into T2. The Aussie super-runner is often an afterthought until she gets out on the run course – where she can run down anybody.
Sam McGlone (CAN) 12:1 – She may be considered an Ironman athlete nowadays, but don’t forget that McGlone used to rule the World Cup.
Sara McLarty (USA) 15:1 – Perhaps the best female swimmer in the entire sport, McLarty, like Potts in the men’s race, will look to lead from start to finish.
Other Notables –
Pip Taylor (AUS); Rebeccah Wassner (USA); Catriona Morrison (GBR); Joanna Zeiger (USA)The race kicks off at 7 a.m. (EST) on Sunday. Check back at triathletemag.com for a post-race recap.