On 17-19 February, a total of 46 athletes from across the state of Florida, United States and world will come together to compete in and aim to complete the Ultraman Florida triathlon. This unique and challenging endurance sporting event covers a total time of three days and a total distance of 321.6 miles (517.5 kilometres) around central Florida.
Each participant must complete a 6.2 mile (10K) open water swim, a 263 mile (423K) bike ride, and a 52.4 mile (84K) ultra-marathon run. Invitations for participation are exclusive and limited to highly qualified and seasoned athletes who apply. Only 50 solo entries can be awarded by the race organisers’ Application Review Committee.
The 6.2 mile (10 km), 1 loop swim is in the fresh water lakes of the Conway Chain. The water temperature is around 65°F (18°C) this time of the year. With a maximum depth of 30 feet and average depth of 8 feet, the chain has some of the clearest water in Florida with a hard sand bottom and beds of eelgrass, peppergrass and hydrilla scattered offshore.
The 263 mile (423 km) bike segment is broken down into two stages. Stage 1 follows the swim and consists of a 92 mile (148 km) bike ride. Due to the loop swim, the Stage 1 bike will start from the swim start / finish. The flat, fast ride will head south to the City of St Cloud and ends in Cocoa, Florida at the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp. The 171 miles (275 km) Stage 2 starts from Cocoa, Florida and heads through scenic towns of Christmas, Sanford, Mount Dora and through the ‘Gems of the Hills’ of Clermont. The ride will end in Oakland, a ‘charming, one-hundred plus year old historic town in the heart of Central Florida’.
The 52.4 mile (84.3 km) double-marathon starts from South Lake Trail in Clermont and ends in the town of Windermere, known for its beautiful lakes and canopy of ancient oak trees. The run course will vary from flat to rolling hills with a mix of asphalt and dirt road.
To be selected to participate, an applicant must show they are prepared for the feat that awaits them at the event. Applicants must have a history of successfully competing in endurance races and it is preferred that they have completed an iron/long distance race within 18 months of the race they are applying for. Participants must also be well supported. Due to the length and nature of the event, it is mandatory that athletes have a support team of at least two adults, but not more than four, and no more than one vehicle/automobile may accompany each athlete throughout all stages of the event.
Ultraman Florida is an annual triathlon held in and around Orlando. The 2017 event will be begin on 17 February. The 321.6 mile challenge takes place over three days as athletes compete to complete this significant distance in the water, on the bike and on foot. Ultraman Florida is one of three Ultraman Races across the world including Hawaii and Australia. Applications to participate open in March of each year.
This year’s diverse field of athletes, spanning 12 countries and 42 years, includes:
Jessica Anderson, 27, USA
Delia Banus Pedreny, 36, Spain
Toni Barstis, 50, USA
Shannon Callies, 47, USA
Ricardo Caraveo, 50, Mexico
Juan Bautista Castilla Arroyo, 33, Spain
Alberto Cendrero Nieto, 30, Spain
Kevin Compayre, 55, Bravery
Amy Craft, 40, USA
Tim Cronk, 54, USA
Bill Deegan, 42, USA
Lawrence Doruelo, 25, USA
Marc Galietta, 44, USA
Connie Glueck, 52, USA
David Hainish, 32, Canada
Jamie Harris, 40, USA
Daniel Jensen, 67, USA
Juanma Jordan-Saiz, 42, Puerto Rico
Mary Latza, 39, USA
Roger Lacaci, 36, Spain
Mauricio Manjarrez, 41, Mexico
Rebba Manmadh, 38, India
Bojan Maric, 47, Serbia
Toni Marsal, 36, Spain
Alessandro Medeiros, 46, Brazil
Abhishek Mishra, 30, India
Juan Pablo Montes Barrientos, 37, Bolivia
Tim Poydenis, 32, USA
Patil Prithviraj, 27, India
Jonathan Puchalski, 44, USA
Marc Puig Amiel, 29, Spain
Juan Luis Quero Guerrero, 45, Spain
Kaustubh Radkar, 34, India
Tom Regal, 49, USA
Rogelio Rocha Galvin, 39, Mexico
Mauricio Salazar, 36, Colombia
Andrew Schouten, 25, Canada
Fiona Siemelink, 50, South Africa
Marc Siques Llagostera, 34, Catalonia
Milind Soman, 51, India
Clayton Anderson Souza, 36, Brasil/Italy
Steffi Steinberg, 35, Germany
Ryan Toner, 34, USA
Diego Villarias, 31, Mexico
Thomas Waniewski, 46, USA
