Summer 2002

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Team iFlyLAX.com prepares for the City of Los Angeles Triathlon
(part 1 of 2)
by James Reilly
Auguat 26, 2002

As race day approaches, iFlyLAX.com's team of triathletes is in its final weeks of training for the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Corporate Relay event.

The City of Los Angeles Triathlon is the third largest triathlon in the world (based on number of competitors) behind the triathlons in Chicago (No. 1) and London (No. 2). 700 volunteers will be on hand to help stage the event. The City of Los Angeles Triathlon will offer a purse of $60,000 divided evenly between the men's and women's fields. On race day, more than 3,000 competitors, representing 13 countries and 47 states plus the District of Columbia, will be assembled on Venice Beach awaiting the starting gun.

Sport of Triathlon - An Olympic History
The sport of triathlon was officially ratified into the Olympic Games on September 4, 1994, and the first Summer Games Olympic medals were awarded in Sydney during the 2000 Summer Games. The Olympic and City of Los Angeles Triathlon distances are: swim 1,500 m (0.9 mi.); cycle 40 k (24.8 mi); run 10 k (6.2 mi).

Hansen's Energy Onboard as Presenting Sponsor
The City of Los Angeles Triathlon is pleased to announce Hansen's¨ Energy as Presenting Sponsor for the 2002 event. Hansen's will provide its energy products to competitors -- E2O Energy Waterª (introduced in June 2001); Energadeª energy sports drink (July 2001); and Monsterª energy drink (April 2002). Triathlon visitors to the Expo and Hansen's Finish Line Village also will be able to taste these energy drinks as well as other Hansen's Natural products.

CLICK HERE read part 2: the post-race report

Meet Team iFlyLAX.com
The three athletes who will make up the relay team representing iFlyLAX.com are:

Gina Greco (Swimmer) Gina Greco is a veteran of last year's L.A. Triathlon, where her corporate relay team won their division and finished third overall. She is a regular participant in Masters Swimming competitions in the Los Angeles area, and trains and competes with Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ). Gina also donates her time as a volunteer for the L.A. Triathlon and other competitive events.

James Reilly (Cyclist) iFlyLAX.com webmaster From his beginnings as a Motocross motorcycle racer in Florida, James Reilly (47) shifted his efforts to human-powered cycles in the early 1990's while living in the Los Angeles area. He participated in road racing events with the JAX Bicycle Center team, including the Mammoth Stage Race, and raced off-road Moutain-biking events as a sport rider at Snow Summit in Big Bear and other venues in the Southern California area. The 24.5 mile stretch of road between Venice Beach and Downtown Los Angeles will be his first time- trial/triathlon event.

Johnny Hossell (Runner) A native of Brazil, Johnny Hossell (40) is an experienced and multi-faceted athlete, who regularly competes solo in triathlon competitions. A professional rower from 1979 to 1988, Johnny was both State Champion and National Champion and competed in the Olympic trials in 1984. Johnny has completed two Ironman triathlons in the USA, and ran the LA Marathon in 1989, 1990, 1999 and 2000. He completed the Maui Channel Swim in 1999, 2000 and 2001 and the Waikiki Roughwater Swim in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Johnny's 6.2 mi. running route in this year's L.A. Triathlon will be a strenuous one, as it climbs up to Dodger Stadium from Downtown Los Angeles and ends up back at historic Olvera Street.