Oceanside CA- 2,748 world class athletes, from around the globe, are in Oceanside this weekend for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon. The athletes, from 24 countries and representing 42 states will take on the 70.3 mile, swim, bike and run course. At stake is a share of the $50,000 professional prize purse and 50 age group qualifying slots for the 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, taking place in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada on Sept. 7, 2014.
Tonight, 5:00 p.m., is the Ironkids Fun Run, which consists of a ¼ mile, ½ mile or 1 mile, course near the Oceanside Pier. Online registration is closed for the Ironkids event but you can register at the Beach Community Center, Today, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.. The event is for children 3-15 years old with an entry fee of $15.00.
The IRONMAN 70.3 begins, Saturday, 6:40 a.m. at the Oceanside Harbor with 1.2-mile swim, transitions to a 56 mile bike ride through Camp Pendleton and ends with a 13.1 run which traverses streets around the pier. Last years Men’s event winner was, Andy Potts (USA) who finished the race in 3:49:45.The Woman’s event winner was Heather Jackson (USA) with a time of 4:13:48.
A lot of support people arrive with the almost three thousand competing athletes, coupled with road construction downtown, parking for the event will be tight.
There will be parking enforcement and volunteers to guide spectators to parking areas along the streets and two available parking structures. Due to construction in the area, please make note of the following suggested parking areas. Please follow the instructions of the city parking officers and volunteers that will direct you. Take I-5 to Mission Ave, exit and head West then choose one of the following:

1. Turn Right onto Horne St, then Left onto Civic Center Drive. Parking structure will be on your left
2. Turn Left onto Cleveland. Parking structure is on your right, just past Seagaze Drive

There are three locations to catch the shuttles to the harbor, from downtown.

1. Regal Theatres at Mission Avenue & Tremont Street
2. Oceanside High School on Mission Avenue
3. The new Endurance House store 401 N. Coast Highway just north of Civic Center Drive

The shuttles will drop off at Lot #1 in Oceanside Harbor and a volunteer will guide you to proceed thru the tunnel at the west end of the lot That will bring you by Joe’s Crab Shack and the Harborside Village. Follow sidewalk to the T1 area. The best place to watch the swim segment is by the Pelican Deli Mart at the north end of the parking lot.
The shuttle back will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., picking you up from the east side of the tunnel and the shuttle will take you to one of the three stops listed above. The
volunteers at each of these stops can guide you down to the pier area for the finish line or, you can just walk.
The swim portion of the race transitions to bikes as the riders travel the 56 mile course through Camp Pendleton, spectators will not be allowed on base due to security concerns. Full Base road closures can be found here [Link] on the Marine Corps Official website.
The transition from bikes to run takes place near the pier. The two loop run course is a along the Strand, on the pier and along Pacific Street with the race finishing near the amphitheater.

Athletes to watch:
Heather Jackson – USA – Defending Ironman 70.3 California Champion
2013 IRONMAN 70.3 California Champion
2013 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship – 2nd Place
2012 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship – 3rd Place
2011 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship – 4th Place
2010 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship – 5th Place
Andy Potts – USA – Defending IRONMAN 70.3 California Champion
2007 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion
2012/2013 IRONMAN Lake Placid Champion
2010 IRONMAN Coeur D’alene Champion
Multiple wins at the IRONMAN 70.3 distance – including the 2007/2008/2012/2013 IRONMAN 70.3 California
Pete Jacobs – AUS
2012 IRONMAN World Champion
2013 IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast Champion
2011 IRONMAN Australia Champion
2010/2011/2012 IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines Champion
Sebastian Kienle – DEU
2012/2013 – IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion
2013 IRONMAN World Championship – 3rd Place
2011 IRONMAN 70.3 New Orleans – Champion
2011 IRONMAN 70.3 Miami – Champion
2009 IRONMAN 70.3 Germany (Wiesbaden) – Champion
Celebrity Athlete Highlights;
Katherine Kelly Lang – Emmy nominated star of The Bold and the Beautiful Is the longest running cast member of the award-winning show, playing the lead role of Brooke Logan.
Recently completed the individual short course at the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon that took place on March 15 Won her age-group category at the Los Angeles Hansen Dam Triathlon last August last September, finished third in celebrity division of the Malibu Triathlon Won her age-group in the Los Angeles Triathlon last October. Her ultimate goal is to compete in the IRONMAN World Championship in 2015.
Other notable competitors include:

• Andy Baldwin – U.S. Naval Officer; Doctor and star of The Bachelor (Season 10)
• Karena Dawn – Personal Trainer and co-founder of Tone It Up; Star of Bravo show “Toned Up”
• Peter Vidmar – Three-time Gymnastic Medalist at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (two gold, one silver); Member of U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame