Tyler Hamilton, whose two year ban for blood doping ran out last week, will be part of a professional relay team in the Nevada Silverman Triathlon on November 12. The team will also include Ernest Kimeli and Erik Vendt, and will be aiming for the $100,000 up for grabs for the first team that can break the eight hour mark for the full distance course (3.8 km swim/180 km ride/42.2 km run).
While Hamilton's credentials are well known among cyclists, the other two members of his team are also accomplished. Ernest Kimeli has run a 2:11 marathon and 1:04 half marathon, while Erik Vendt is a world class swimmer, winning a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics and is the American record holder in 1500m free (scm) and the former American record-holder in 1500m free (lcm). He was the first American to ever break 15 minutes in the latter event.
"The competition for the $100,000.00 has just heated up," said Frank Lowery, of Lowery’s Multisport Races. "This high profile relay team, led by Tyler Hamilton will surely put the pressure on other professional relay teams that have registered for the Silverman including Chris Lieto, Jamie Patrick and Brian Astell. We could witness a historical athletic moment if one of these teams breaks 8 hours on our course." So far, no relay team has managed to beat the eight hour mark in a full-length triathlon.
The organisers specified that they will carry out drug testing at the event. "All participants will be subject to testing which will be conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agencies International Standards for Doping Control. The specific details of the testing program will be announced to all participants prior to the event," they stated.
