LARGE TURNOUT EXPECTED FOR STEAMBOAT TRIATHLON

Based on a favorable weather forecast, Doug Gannon expects a large turnout for today's 16th annual Steamboat Classic Triathlon that will be held in Cape Girardeau.

And Gannon emphasizes that it's not too late to enter the event sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Parks & Recreation Department. Registration will be held today from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Cape Central Pool, with the triathlon scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Gannon said 120 participants have pre-registered.

"If the weather is good, we should have close to 200 entrants, which would be one of our bigger turnouts," he said.

The Steamboat Classic Triathlon consists of a 500-yard swim, a 15.5-mile bicycle ride and a five-mile run. The start and finish point will be the Cape Central Pool.

Gannon said that Barry Knight of Paducah, Ky., will be on hand to defend his overall title. Knight, who has won several Steamboat Classic Triathlons, holds the record for the event.

However, Gannon said that defending women's champion Trina Graham will not compete because she has moved out of the area.

Gannon expects quite a bit of competition in both the men's and women's divisions.

"We should have some excellent triathletes competing and I look for a lot of good competition," he said. "And it's also a great event for the less competitive people who just enjoy this kind of workout."

The entry fee is $31 for individuals and $36 for teams.