Records Fall at Inaugural Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon
Professionals Greg Bennett (AUS) and Sarah Haskins (USA) Win Dallas Event Blind Triathlete Aaron Scheidies Establishes World-Record Australians Bennett and Emma Snowsill Win 2007 Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The inaugural Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon proved to be a record breaker, as Australian Greg Bennett won the largest single prize purse in the sport's history ($420,000) and blind elite-amateur Aaron Scheidies posted the fastest time ever by a physically challenged athlete. The race, which finished in the shadow of Dallas' distinctive Reunion Tower, is the culmination of the five-race Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM) Triathlon Series.
Bennett was joined in the winners circle by American triathlete Sarah Haskins, who outlasted the rest of the competition in the female division to walk away with the $60,000 first prize. Bennett's record pay day is the result of a $60,000 first-place prize, a $60,000 bonus for being the Series champion and a $300,000 super-bonus for winning each of the series' five events.
A total of $250,000 was awarded to the top 10 professional women and men competing in the event. Australian's Emma Snowsill, who finished fourth in the event, won the women's division of the Series and also took home a $60,000 bonus.
"This is my biggest win ever and I can't believe it," said the St. Louis, MO native, Haskins, who held off competition from 10 different countries to win the Olympic-distance race. "The bike was the toughest part because I didn't know where anyone was or how far ahead I was. This is my first Life Time event but I'll be doing more because it's really my style of racing."
Said Bennett: "Going in, I was concerned how far back I would be after the bike portion, but once I began the run in second place, I knew I was in great shape. I sprinted the first two miles to try and not give anyone else hope and then just suffered in pain the rest of the way in."
U.S. Open Triathlon Results
Scheidies, a native of Michigan but who now lives in Seattle, became the first physically challenged athlete to complete a triathlon in under two hours (1:58:08). "Ben (guide Ben Collins) kept yelling for me to keep going," said Scheidies. "This has been my goal for a long time. I had to have a perfect race."
Unofficial 2007 U.S. Open Professional Division results from today's race are as follows:
MEN
Pro Triathlete Unofficial Cash 2007 Triathlon Series
Time Prize Points
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
1. Greg Bennett 1:44:41 $60,000 15,000
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
2. Filip Ospaly 1:45:02 $25,000 9,000
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
3. Bevan Docherty 1:45:13 $15,000 5,700
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
4. Hunter Kemper 1:45:29 $7,000 3,900
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
5. Matthew Reed 1:46:49 $6,000 3,450
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
6. Stephen Hackett 1:46:58 $4,000 2,850
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
7. Craig Walton 1:47:17 $3,000 2,550
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
8. Kris Gemmell 1:49:03 $2,500 2,250
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
9. David Thompson 1:49:25 $1,500 2,100
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
10. Michael Simpson 1:50:37 $1,000 1,950
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
WOMEN
Pro Triathlete Unofficial Cash 2007 Triathlon Series
Time Prize Points
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
1. Sarah Haskins 1:55:45 $60,000 15,000
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
2. Julie Dibens 1:57:57 $25,000 9,000
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
3. Mirinda Carfrae 1:59:11 $15,000 5,700
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
4. Emma Snowsill 1:59:41 $7,000 3,900
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
5. Rebeccah Wassner 2:00:15 $6,000 3,450
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
6. Anja Dittmer 2:01:46 $4,000 2,850
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
7. Mary Beth Ellis 2:03:18 $3,000 2,550
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
8. Kelly Handel 2:04:21 $2,500 2,250
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
9. Jillian Petersen 2:04:55 $1,500 2,100
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
10. Michelle Leblanc 2:04:56 $1,000 1,950
---------------------------- ---------- ------- ----------------------
2007 Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series
The Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series was launched in 2006 and created the first-ever connection among the four most prominent Olympic-distance triathlon events in the United States. The Life Time Fitness Triathlon (ltftriathlon.com), held in Minneapolis, is produced by Life Time Fitness, Inc. The Accenture Chicago Triathlon (chicagotriathlon.com) is produced by Creative & Production Resources, Inc (CAPRI Events). The Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon (LATriathlon.com) is produced by Pacific Sports LLC. The Nautica New York City Triathlon (nyctri.com) is produced by Korff Enterprises. In 2007, the Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series was expanded to include a new Championship event, the Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Dallas. Overall, the Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series offers nearly $1.5 million in prize purse.
About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM) operates distinctive and large sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort/spa centers. As of October 14, 2007 the Company operates 68 centers in 15 states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia. The Company also operates a satellite facility and four preview locations in existing and new markets.
Additionally, Life Time Fitness provides consumers with personal training consultation, full-service spas and cafes, corporate wellness programs, health and nutrition education, the healthy lifestyle magazine - Experience Life, athletic events, and nutritional products and supplements. Life Time Fitness is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota (www.lifetimefitness.com). LIFE TIME FITNESS, the LIFE TIME FITNESS logo, and EXPERIENCE LIFE are registered trademarks of Life Time Fitness, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Source: Life Time Fitness
Released October 14, 2007