Athletes from all across America will be competing in the 23rd Muncie Endurathon Saturday at Prairie Creek Lake.
The triathlon consists of a 1.2-mile swim at Prairie Creek Lake, a 56-mile bike ride on the Cardinal Greenway and will conclude with a 13.1-mile run on Delaware County Road.
A "heartbreak hill" awaits the contestants in the final stretch of the triathlon.
This will be the fifth time in the Endurathon's 23-year history that the local triathlon will host the USA Triathlon National Long Course Championships.
"We have 1,100 athletes enlisted in the triathlon," said Endurathon race director Steven Tomboli, "it's going to be a great event."
Competition will be thick in the men's field with Chris Leigh, an Australian pro-triathlete will be the headliner of the event.
Leigh has a total of 60 triathlon championships worldwide under his belt since 1995, including the 2000 Ironman California.
Defending 2001 men's champion Cameroon Loos will be another contender to look for in the pack, along with Michael Smith, Terry Labinski and local favorite Ryan Shannahan.
"Ryan's a local favorite," said Tomboli, "No local triathlete has won a national event in their hometown."
In the women's field the competition will be just as or even more intense.
Defending 2001 champion Michelle Kitze will be the one that the other contenders are looking to beat.
Heather Golnick, Heather Hedrick of Indianapolis and six-time Endurathon champion Beth Homan will also be top contenders to look out for.
"There are going to be great races in both fields," said Tomboli, "It's just going to be an exciting day."
There will also be a WLBC Sport and Fitness Expo on Friday and a Youth Triathlon on Sunday in conjunction with the Muncie Endurathon.
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