ST. GEORGE – Professional athletes from all over the world gathered Thursday evening at the Ironman Village in the St. George Town Square Park at 50 South Main, in preparation for Saturday’s Ironman 70.3 St. George.
The field will feature nearly 100 professional athletes, some familiar to Southern Utahns enjoying the Ironman competition for its fifth year in St. George. Among them are defending champions Meredith Kessler of the United States and Brent McMahon of Canada.
Canadian Heather Wurtele is another familiar face and fan favorite. Not only is she a two-time Ironman St. George champion, but she has lived and trained in St. George since 2010.
“It has everything you need,” Wurtele said.
Wurtele loves the small town experience. She frequently trains in the streets of St. George and at the Washington City Community Center.
She enjoys the Ironman 70.3 St. George because of the great volunteer crew and support.
“It has a really special vibe, and the community gets into it,” she said.
Although German native and 2008 Olympic gold medalist, Jan Frodeno, is well known in the sport, this is his first time competing in St. George.
“That’s the great thing about being a professional triathlete,” Frodeno said, “the event brings us to the area.”
Frodeno’s first impression of St. George was the Southern Utah backdrop.
“I’ve raced around Vegas before which is fairly close but I felt it was nothing like this,” Frodeno said, “I felt this is way more spectacular.”
St. George News Reporter Hollie Reina contributed to this report.
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Professional triathlete, Andy Potts, participates in a panel discussion at the Ironman Village for Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Professional triathlete, Bent McMahon, answers questions during a panel discussion for the professional field at Ironman 70.3 St.George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina
Sebastian Kienle, a professional triathlete sits on a panel discussion at Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina
Professional triathlete, Terenzo Bozzone, participates in a panel discussion with the professional field of Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
L-R, Jan Frodeno, Brent McMahon, Sebastian Kienle, answer questions during a panel discussion for the professional field of athletes at Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
L-R, Jodie Swallow, Heather Wurtele, Mary Beth Ellis, Meredith Kessler, from the field of professional females at Ironman 70.3 St. George share the stage during a panel discussion, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Professional triathlete, Meredith Kessler, answers questions during a professional panel at Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Mary Beth Ellis, professional triathlete, participates in a panel discussion at the Ironman Village for Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Professional triathlete, Heather Wurtele, answers questions during a panel for the professional field at Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Jodie Swallow, professional triathlete, participates in the professional panel at Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Athletes and spectators alike gather to listen to the field of professional Ironman competitors as they answer questions in a panel discussion as part of Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Athletes and spectators alike gather to listen to the field of professional Ironman competitors as they answer questions in a panel discussion as part of Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
L-R, Jodie Swallow, Heather Wurtele, Mary Beth Ellis, Meredith Kessler, Terenzo Bozzone, Jan Frodeno, Brent McMahon, Sebastian Kienle, Andy Potts, professional triathletes address the crowd at the Ironman Village during a panel discussion for Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Professional triathlete and Ironman 70.3 St. George competitor, Jan Frodeno, is interviewed during an athlete mixer at Ironman Village, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Crowds gather to listen to the professional athletes as they participate in a panel discussion at Ironman Village for Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
A strong field of women including from L-R, Jodie Swallow, Heather Wurtele, Mary Beth Ellis and Meredith Kessler, attend a press conference and discussion panel at Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
L-R, Jan Frodeno, Brent McMahon, Sebastian Kienle, Andy Potts, form part of the professional male field for the Ironman 70.3 St. George, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
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