Toyota US Open Triathlon to draw thousands to Harbor

Toyota US Open Triathlon to draw thousands to Harbor

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(Rockwall) The Toyota US Open Triathlon, the final event of the Life Time Triathlon Series Race to the Toyota Cup, will take place Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 at The Harbor on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall. More than 1,500 athletes from around the globe are expected to participate in the race to crown the Toyota US Open Cup Champion.

The events leading up to the US Open include the Nautica South Beach Triathlon in Miami, the Capital of Texas Triathlon in Austin, the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon, the Life Time Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis, the Life Time Fitness Triathlon in Chicago and the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon.

In 2010, the triathlon was won by Filip Ospaly of the Czech Republic in the Men’s Division and Lisa Norden of Sweden in the Women’s Division.

The 2011 event comprises an out-and-back swim course starting and finishing at The Harbor; a bike tour through the city Rockwall, featuring twisting roads and a double back turn; and and out-and-back running course through residential streets.

The Toyota US Open Triathlon Sports and Fitness Expo is the official pick-up site for race packets and timing chips; pick-up is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at The Harbor, 2074 Summer Lee Drive.

Organizers report that last year’s event generated more than 700 hotel room nights in Rockwall and surrounding areas, and helped bring several thousand dollars into the local economy. There were also several traffic delays throughout the city. Significant changes have been made to this year’s bike course in an effort to minimize traffic delays. Regardless of these changes, long delays and congestion are still expected.

A course map and event details can be found at usopentri.com. Visit lifetimeendurance.com for training advice.

For more information, contact the Rockwall Parks and Recreation Department at 972-771-7761
or bgriggs@rockwall.com.

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