World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) has announced it will increase the prize purse for the upcoming Ironman Triathlon World Championship, taking the amount of the sport's biggest payday from $325,000 to $430,000. With the increase, both the male and female champion will now each receive $100,000.

Our board of directors is committed to keeping the Ironman Triathlon World Championship the premier event for the sport's most talented professional endurance athletes, said Lew Friedland, WTC president. The increase is in recognition of the growing prominence of the Ironman, and our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the professional triathletes.

The Ironman Triathlon World Championship rewards the top 10 finishers in the men's and women's professional divisions. The (US$) prize money allocation will be as follows:

Prize money has been available at the Ironman Triathlon World Championship since 1986 and has been paid equally to both the top male and female finishers since that time. The last increase to the prize purse came in 2000 when the purse increased from $250,000 to $325,000.

The 2002 Ironman Triathlon World Championship will be held on October 19. Triathlon fans can log onto www.ironmanlive.com to follow the race as it unfolds. A 90-minute highlights show from the event will air on NBC, November 23 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. (EST).