Attention Tri-Athletes!

For the past eight years, the world’s top tri-athletes have been coming to Orlando to compete in the Ironman 70.3 hosted at Walt Disney World Resort. This year, however, the event is moving to a new location at beautiful Lake Eva Park near Haines City. The event, which takes place on May 20^th, will feature an exciting course and is still just minutes from Central Florida’s favorite attractions – the race site is only miles from the new LEGOLAND Theme park!

Located 30 minutes outside of Orlando, Lake Eva Park provides the perfect setting for this year’s Ironman 70.3 Florida. The one-loop swim will start and finish on the white sandy beaches of Lake Eva. The bike route will course through Polk County and offer racers the chance to enjoy views of citrus groves and cattle farms as they ride along the quiet country roads. Along the way, athletes will ride past Bok Tower Gardens, considered one of Florida’s “must-see” attractions. The bike route also goes along Highway 17, which has been designated as one of Florida’s scenic highways. The last leg of the event will be a three loop run around Lake Eva, finishing in a grassy park along the lake.

For those of you that are not familiar with Ironman races, the 70.3 series is a half-ironman competition.  Since its inception in 2006, the Ironman 70.3 series has become the fastest growing triathlon series in the world. Events around the world, including Ironman 70.3 Florida, qualify athletes for the Ironman World Championship 70.3. The 70.3 races consist of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and finishes with a 13.1 mile run. Tri-athletes from all over the world travel to compete in these races as they are some of the most challenging athletic events.

If you are coming to Central Florida for the Ironman 70.3, consider spending your trip with Florida Spirit Vacation Homes. Our Calabay Parc at Tower Lake community, located in Haines City, offers comfortable homes with the luxury of a private pool, some also have soothing spa!. You will be able to prepare the meals you need to fuel yourself in the home’s fully equipped kitchen and the relax after the race by the pool or in the spacious livingroom.

Registration for Ironman 70.3 Florida opened on December 8, 2011. Visit www.ironmanhainescity.com for more information and to register online. If you don’t want to compete in the race but will be in the area on May 20^th, consider volunteering! To sign up as a volunteer, contact Josh Hicks by email at Josh@centralfloridasports.com.