Courtesy: event press release

More than 40 professional and 2,500 amateur triathletes, including Mary Stroebe, 88 year-old grandmother from Madison, WI, and Craig Alexander, pro triathlete and returning Life Time Fitness champion, will compete in the 2006 Life Time Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN Saturday, July 29 at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

The Olympic-distance competition (1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run) boasts the equalizer, a unique timing format that allows the elite men and women to closely compete for the overall cash and prize purse of $500,000. The drama is created as the men close the gap during the race, with the top man trying to catch the top woman in the final stages of the run.

What makes this sports program compelling:

--The Equalizer, a unique timing structure which gives the elite women a calculated head start over the elite men, setting up a potential male vs. female photo finish.

"The Equalizer is the most intriguing addition to any sport I have seen in years. Where else can you see men compete against women on a level field? It's a great concept and the proof is in the quality of the entrants--the Who's Who of triathlon. And the scoreboard shows it's working--in 5 yrs, 3 women winners and 2 men." - Veteran NBC broadcaster Ted Robinson

--Mary Stroebe, 88, of Madison, WI, is the oldest competitor in the field; she began competing in triathlons at age 76 and is competing in her fourth Life Time Fitness Triathlon.

"Even more astonishing than watching the pros conquer the 100 degree heat was watching Mary finish...and say she could have gone 3 more miles!" Veteran NBC broadcaster Ted Robinson.

--Elite professional triathletes including defending champion Craig Alexander; defending women(1)s champion Emma Snowsill; Matt Reed, 2004 US National Champion; Hunter Kemper, World Ranked #1 in 2005; Kate Allen, 2004 Olympic Triathlon Gold Medalist; Becky Lavelle, 2005 US Pro National Champion