Sarah Haskins and Filip Ospaly Repeat as 2012 St. Anthony's Triathlon Champions

Both Women's, Men's Winners Break Previous Course Records

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sarah Haskins and Filip Ospaly successfully defended their titles at the 2012 St. Anthony's Triathlon on Sunday. Haskins and Ospaly, who won the titles a year ago, also broke course records in both the men's and women's professional races which drew one of the largest pro fields in the event's 29-year history.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120429/DC96924)

Haskins, 31, won her fourth title in the past five years and her third in a row. She was in control for most of the race and bested her nearest competitor by more than two minutes, clocking in at 1:56:55. The previous women's record was 1:57:45.

"Toward the end, people were telling me 'Sprint! Sprint! Sprint!' So I did," Haskins said. "I was just so happy to break the record."

For Haskins, who now lives in Clermont, this is her second win of the year. Earlier this month, she won the Nautica South Beach Triathlon in Miami Beach. She has a busy May planned as she will race in the ITU World Triathlon in San Diego on May 10 and then the Capital of Texas Triathlon in Austin, Texas, on May 24. She also is training to make the 2012 Summer Olympics team.

Ospaly, 36, did what he does best – run fast – and crossed the finish line in 1:45:50. "At the bridge, I made my move," he said. "The run is my strong suit and I knew I could overcome." He passed several leaders on the run portion of the race to come in first. Ospaly, of the Czech Republic, bested the previous course mark of 1:46:10.

Coming in second in the professional women's division was Alicia Kaye, also of Clermont, with a time of1:59:16. The top three was rounded out by Jodie Stimpson of Great Britain, whose time was 1:59:37.

The three top finishers in the professional men's race all beat the old course record. Second place went to Ben Collins of Seattle who crossed the finish line in 1:45:59. Third place went to Timothy O'Donnell of Boulder, Colo., with a time of 1:46:04.

Featuring a number of world champions and past title winners, the St. Anthony's Triathlon boasted one of its strongest fields for the 2012 competition. The international-distance race (1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run) is the second event of the 2012 global 5150 Triathlon Series, offering athletes coveted points toward 5150 U.S. Championship qualification.

Known for its scenic course along the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, St. Anthony's Triathlon also has been named the fourth largest triathlon in the country by USA Triathlon. The regional events qualify the top 33 percent per age group for the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship.

St. Anthony's Triathlon attracts approximately 3,500 individuals and 125 relay teams each year from more than 45 states and nearly 20 countries. The race weekend also included an extensive event expo and the Meek & Mighty Triathlon, a shorter-distance race for youth ages 7-14 and novice adults. Athletes competed for a professional prize purse totaling $65,000 in addition to $10,000 in prizes for the top male and female competitors in the Elite Amateur division. 

The 5150 series is an International distance triathlon consisting of: 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run. It is the largest international distance triathlon series in the world and the first non-drafting international race series of its kind, offering a competitive platform for professional and age-group athletes.

Visit http://www.raceresults360.com/satriathlon12/#/results for all results. Look for news about St. Anthony's Triathlon at www.SATriathlon.com.

About St. Anthony's Hospital
St. Anthony's Hospital is a 395-bed hospital founded in 1931 as a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and is the first and only faith-based hospital in Pinellas County. In its 81^st year, the hospital continues its rich history dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing high-quality, innovative and compassionate care.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare Health System is a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area. Composed of a network of 10 not-for-profit hospitals, outpatient facilities and services such as imaging, lab, behavioral health and home health care, BayCare provides expert medical care throughout a patient's lifetime. With more than 200 access points conveniently located throughout Tampa Bay, BayCare connects patients to a complete range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for any health care need. BayCare's family of hospitals are: Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant, Morton Plant North Bay, St. Anthony's, St. Joseph's, St. Joseph's Children's, St. Joseph's Hospital-North, St. Joseph's Women's, and South Florida Baptist. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org.

SOURCE St. Anthony's Hospital