Two Days Away from Inaugural Ironman 70.3 Boise Triathlon

Inaugural race in Boise set for Sunday, June 1

Taking place this Sunday, June 1, approximately 1,200 professional and age group athletes alike will compete in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Boise Triathlon, presented by Ford. A professional field consisting of some of the sport's top contenders will vie for the title, to include multiple Ironman and 70.3 champion, Chris Lieto, Ironman 70.3 newcomer and top finisher at the Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3, Terenzo Bozzone, winner of Ford Ironman Arizona and Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid, Kate Major and Desiree Ficker, known for her talent in marathons and at the Ironman and 70.3 distances.

Professional athletes will compete for a $25,000 prize purse. Pros and age group athletes will also compete slots to the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, taking place on November 8, 2008, in Clearwater, FL.

One of thirty events in the Ironman 70.3 global series, the Ironman 70.3 Boise Triathlon will take athletes along a 1.2-Mile swim, 56-Mile bike and 13.1-Mile run. Athletes will pass through scenic Lucky Peak Reservoir, the Boise Greenbelt and downtown Boise. Athletes will end their 70.3-Mile journey with a finish line celebration in the heart of Boise, at the dynamic BoDo District. The event will draw more than 400 local Idaho residents, in addition to athletes from around the globe, from 42 states/U.S. territories and 10 countries, respectively.

A variety of inspirational athletes are participating Sunday, including Greg Paulson, from Jerome, Idaho, who will be racing on behalf of his epileptic daughter who has undergone several brain surgeries; and Chad Kroeschell from Meridian, Idaho, who is competing in honor of his son who passed away in 2001 from SIDS and his wife, a recovering cancer patient.

Look for live timing data, athlete tracking and post race stories and pictures from this weekend's race here on Ironman.com.