Third Running of Event to Draw 3,300

More than 3,300 athletes from 14 countries, 47 states and the District of Columbia are expected to compete today in the third Los Angeles Triathlon that begins at Venice Beach and ends at El Pueblo near Olvera Street.

The Olympic-distance event, which consists of a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run, begins at 6:30 a.m.

The inaugural sprint event, which consists of a swim of four-tenths of a mile, a 20-mile bike ride and a five-kilometer run, begins at 7:45.

The elite men’s race begins at 9, followed by the elite women’s race at 9:05.

Simon Lessing and Spencer Smith of Britain, Craig Walton of Australia and Conrad Stoltz of South Africa are the leading contenders in the men’s race.

Lessing won five world titles during the 1990s.

Americans Barb Lindquist and Karen Smyers are the favorites in the women’s race.

Lindquist, the No. 2-ranked female triathlete in the world in the Olympic distance event, won the inaugural L.A. Triathlon in 2000 and finished second last year.