Longest-running San Diego Triathlon Will Mark 20th Anniversary
Race Attracts Sport’s Top Competitors

   SAN DIEGO — As many as 1,350 athletes from around the world will compete in the 20th annual Wells Fargo San Diego International Triathlon on Sunday, June 29, starting with a 1K swim at Spanish Landing at 7 a.m.

   After completing the swimming leg, the athletes will embark on a 30K (18.6- mile) bike course to Cabrillo Monument and back to Spanish Landing. The triathlon’s final leg is a grueling 10K (6.2-mile) run that ends at Embarcadero Marina Park North, just behind Seaport Village.

   "It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this for 20 years," says Rick Kozlowski, the event’s director. "We’ve grown this event to the point where the top professional athletes in the world look forward to coming to San Diego, the birthplace of the triathlon."

   Of those competitors, Australian Craig Alexander looks to repeat for the men after an impressive triumph in last year’s race.

   On the women’s side, San Diego native Jessi Stensland has designs on a another first place finish, but will face a stiff test against Michellie (muh-Kee-lee) Jones, who won the event in 2001 and has in her possession a silver medal for her efforts in the 2000 Olympic triathlon.

   As a precursor to Sunday’s event, the 6th annual San Diego Kids’ Triathlon will be held Saturday, June 28. More than 100 junior triathletes ranging in age from 8 to 14 will compete on abbreviated 2- and 4-mile courses.

   Last year’s race raised $20,000 for St. Vincent’s, but Village President Fr. Joe Carroll is confident this year’s event will eclipse that total.

   "We fully expect to double last year’s fund-raising effort," he says. "Over the year’s this event has raised more than $500,000 for St. Vincent de Paul Village."

   For more information on the Wells Fargo San Diego International Triathlon, call Koz Enterprises at (858) 268-1250.

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