After searching for love and conquering the heart of Tessa Horst on The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman,  Andy Baldwin will attempt to take on a new challenge at the inaugural Ford Ironman Louisville Triathlon scheduled for Sunday, August 26.

The former Bachelor star will represent the US Navy through the Navy Sports Program, which includes boxing, wrestling, marathon, triathlon and soccer, at the upcoming event.

A 30-year-old native of Pennsylvania, Baldwin is an accomplished triathlete with six Ironman finishes, five Ironman 70.3 finishes and three USA Triathlon All-American titles under his belt.

The former Bachelor star got interested in triathlon when he moved to the West Coast for medical school. In line with this, he became fond of cycling and decided to merge his new pastime with his swimming and running abilities.  He participated in his first triathlon in 2000, and has since competed in a variety of triathlons worldwide, including competitions in New Zealand and Canada.

The Ford Ironman Louisville Triathlon will comprise of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run.  Participating athletes will be tested both mentally and physically as they attempt the three categories, in sequence, over the duration of up to 17 hours.

The 2.4-mile swim for Ford Ironman Louisville will commence in the Ohio River while the bike and run course will take athletes throughout various areas of Louisville, including Prospect, the city of LaGrange and Oldham, and Henry Counties.  Marking the end of the race is a finish line celebration at Fourth Street Live.

Registration for the inaugural event opened on October 21, 2006, and sold out less than ten days later.

The Ford Ironman Louisville Triathlon, the 22nd to be added to the Ironman Series, will serve as a qualifier for the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship, which is scheduled on October 13 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Florida Sports
(Image courtesy of wildbuffmedia.com)