GUEST BIO:
Andy Potts, a 2007 Ironman 70.3 World Champion, USA Triathlon Triathlete of the Year (2006 & 2007), 2007 USA Triathlon National Champion, and 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Member, will be competing in the Accenture Chicago Triathlon. Potts had a breakout year in 2007. Using advanced technology and powerful determination, he won at the Olympic distance with the Honolulu Triathlon and a gold medal at the Pan American Games. He also dominated longer races such as Escape from Alcatraz co-sponsored by Toyota and the California 70.3, and then claimed the title at the 70.3 World Championship. In 2008, Potts has his sights set on the Toyota Cup and will defend his 70.3 championship.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
START TIMES:
6:00 a.m. Sprint Distance start
7:25 a.m. Elite Age Group International Distance start
7:35 a.m. Open Age Group International Distance start
10:55 a.m. Professional Athletes start (compete in International Distance)
DESCRIPTION:
The 26th annual Accenture Chicago Triathlon, Guinness World Record™ holder for
the "World's Largest Triathlon", will take triathletes through the waters of Lake
Michigan, on the lanes of scenic Lake Shore Drive, and down Chicago's lakefront
running paths, past the many wonders of Chicago's architectural skyline. The swim
start area is at the sea wall at Monroe Harbor, south of the Chicago Yacht Club.
Approximately 500 yards from the finish of the swim is the transition area.
Competitors will then bike along Lake Shore Drive between Randolph and Foster
and back, followed by the run from Randolph Street, south along Lake Shore Drive,
through the Museum Campus, proceeding north to the finish line on Columbus
Drive, just south of Balbo in Grant Park.
DISTANCES:
There are two distance competitions, the Sprint and International. All of the Pro athletes
compete in the International distance.
Sprint-.75k swim (.47 mi.), 22k bike (13.67 mi.), 5k run (3.1 mi.)
International-1.5k swim (.93 mi.), 40k bike (24.8 mi.), 10k run (6.2 mi.)
LIFE TIME FITNESS RACE SERIES:
The Accenture Chicago Triathlon is a key event in the Life Time Fitness Triathlon
Series (Life Time Fitness Triathlon – Minneapolis, Nautica New York City Triathlon,
Accenture Chicago Triathlon, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon, and the Toyota
U.S. Open Triathlon – Dallas) with a combined Series purse of $1.44 million for the Pro
Division. See Life Time Fitness Series document for details.
PARTICIPANTS:
8,700 triathletes registered for the Accenture Chicago Triathlon-- including top
professionals and amateur triathletes -- 10 times the number who participated in the
inaugural race in 1983. This year's event is expected to attract more than 500,000
spectators.
CASH PRIZES:
Professional triathletes are vying for $67,000 in prize money at the Accenture
Chicago Triathlon. The 1st place male and female pro finishers receive cash
and tickets from American Airlines while male and female pros placing in the top 10
receive cash awards. The prize breakdown is as follows:
1st -- $10,000; 2nd place -- $6,000; 3rd place -- $4,500; 4th place -- $3,000;
5th place -- $2,500; 6th place -- $2,000; 7th place -- $1,800; 8th place -- $1200;
9th place -- $900; 10th place -- $600
Swim & Bike Prime are sponsored by Gatorade Endurance Formula - 1st place Male &
Female to cross the line in the swim and on the bike. Total of $2,000 awarded.
CHARITY:
The Accenture Chicago Triathlon proudly supports Team in Training (TNT), the
world's largest endurance sports training program and the event's official charity since
1998. The program provides training to run or walk a full or half marathon or participate
in a triathlon or century (100-mile) bike ride. Since TNT's inception, 360,000
participants have raised over $850 million to support blood cancer research and patient
services. The enormous success of this program has helped make possible advances in
blood cancer therapies and treatments that have prolonged and enhanced the lives of
hundreds of thousands of patients. For more information call (312) 651-7350 or visit
www.teamintraining.org/il
MEDICAL/ SECURITY:
7 hydration stations
13 ambulances
80+ medical personnel
70 Chicago Park District Lifeguards (in boats and on shore)
15 motorcycle marshals
2008 SPONSOR:
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing
company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all
industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful
companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance
businesses and governments. With more than 180,000 people in 49 countries, the
company generated net revenues of US$19.70 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31,
2007. Its home page is www.accenture.com
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OLYMPIC NOTES:
More than 8,700 triathletes, including Olympians, professional, disabled, amateur and first-time participants, will compete in the 26th Accenture Chicago Triathlon on Sunday, August 24. Coming on the heels of the Beijing Summer Olympics, many eyes will be on Chicago's world-class sporting event.
"The Accenture Chicago Triathlon – the world's largest triathlon – has hosted many Olympic triathletes," explains Jan Caille, president of CAPRI Events, the owner of the event. "We are known as a great competition and THE place to be if you are a top triathlete racing the international distance."
"Chicago is one of triathlon's greatest stages and with the Windy City vying as a finalist to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, our world-class event is definitely the one to watch!" adds Caille.
The 2000 Summer Olympics was the first to include the sport of triathlon, with 100 triathletes competing on an International Distance course.
