OCEANSIDE, Calif.-Two-time Ironman World Champion Luc van Lierde (Belgium) will compete in the 2004 Ralphs California Half Ironman set to take place on Saturday, April 3 in Oceanside and on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Van Lierde is one of only three active male triathletes to have won the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii more than once (Peter Reid of Canada and Tim DeBoom of the United States being the others).

The 34-year-old Van Lierde also holds the world record for the fastest Ironman time ever recorded (seven hours, 50 minutes and 27 seconds set at Ironman Europe in 1997) and also holds the course record at the World Championship (8:04:06 in 1996). Van Lierde is also a two-time Ironman Malaysia champion winning the event in both 2003 and 2004.

The Ralphs California Half Ironman triathlon takes place for the third time in Oceanside and on neighboring Camp Pendleton in 2004. More than 2,000 athletes from around the world are expected to compete. Athletes will be competing for 20 qualifying spots to the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $25,000 pro prize purse.

For more information on the Ralphs California Half Ironman, log onto www.ironmancalifornia.com.