Powerman Ohio
May 14-15, 2005
8k run, 57k bike, 8k run

Lexington, Ohio - Fat Rabbit Racing www.fatrabbitracing.com, the International Powerman Association, and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course are pleased to announce that the inaugural Powerman Ohio Weekend will be held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on May 14-15, 2005. The Powerman Ohio Duathlon will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2005 and will serve as the USAT Mideast Regional Championship and as a qualifier for the International Powerman World Championship to be held in Zofingen, Switzerland in August 2005.

Many of the best international athletes will be competing for the $6,000 cash purse in the professional division of Powerman Ohio. The women's field should be especially exciting, led by Ukrainian Tamara Kozulina and Bianca Simpson, a member of the 2004 New Zealand Olympic Team and Amory Rowe, 2004 Pro United States National Champion. The men's field boasts an experienced field led by Richard Graeminger of Switzerland, Norbert Huber of Germany, and a strong U.S field led by Josh Beck (TN), Will Ronco (WI) and Tim Luchinske (CO) -top finishers at Powerman Alabama and North Carolina last month. Powerman Ohio is also the professional duathlon debut of an Ohio favorite - Timex's Joshua Ritchie. Several other top professionals round out the pro field.

In the Age Group division top U.S. Powerman finishers John McGovern (NY), Patrick LeMay (Canada), Josh Beckham (TN), John McCormick (Canada), and a fast Ohio contingent of Andy Schmitz - 2004 Collegiate All-American, Ted Niedhardt - 2004 Clydesdale National Champion, and Brian Barker - 2004 USAT Mideast Region Master Champion, are expected to battle it out for the age group men's title. But as Powerman Alabama and North Carolina showed, don't rule out a fresh name taking the top spot.   Fresh off her victory's as top age group winner at St. Anthony's and Gulf Coast Half Ironman, Erin Ford from Columbus, Ohio is expected to continue her win streak in the amateur ranks but look for her to be pushed by teammates Valerie Eck and Megan Arce for overall honors.

Powerman Ohio features an 8K run, followed by a 57K bike and closes with another 8K run. Powerman Ohio also features a shorter distance duathlon called the Mid-Ohio Grand Prix Duathlon - a 4K run, 30K bike, and 4K run. There are no qualifying requirements to participation. Other events featured at the Powerman Ohio weekend are Saturday evening's 8K & 16K runs, 20K inline skate, and the exciting PowerKids Ohio for youth ages 9-17. The weekend includes a Sports Expo comprised of various sports-related vendors from around the country.

The opening run and part of the bike course take place on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course www.midohio.com . The bike course features a combination of flat terrain and rolling hills on the roads surrounding the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Clear Fork Reservoir area. The 2^nd run features a run over the sports car course through the infield, along the track and out on the rural road behind the track before returning and crossing over the track to finish on Championship Row!