St. Petersburg, Fla. - Hunter Kemper, who was ranked No. 1 in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) world rankings for 2005 and named “2005 Male Triathlete of the Year” by the U.S. Olympic Committee, officially committed Monday to compete in the St. Anthony’s Triathlon.

Kemper, 29, of Longwood, Fla., is the first U.S. male to finish a season ranked No. 1 in the world. He had a consistent and successful 2005, finishing on the podium five out of seven World Cup races, including wins at the Beijing World Cup and the Mazatlan World Cup. He also finished second at the season-opening Honolulu World Cup, as well as the Ishigaki and Edmonton World Cup events. He secured his No. 1 world ranking with a fourth place finish at the New Plymouth World Cup in New Zealand in November.

Kemper’s ties to St. Anthony’s go back to 1986 when he entered his first triathlon - St. Anthony’s Meek & Mighty Triathlon - as a ten-year old. Kemper won his age group in his first attempt and never looked back. In his first five years of racing, he never lost a youth triathlon.

“St. Anthony’s Triathlon has always attracted the world’s best athletes, and we are thrilled to bring such a high level of competitors to St. Petersburg,” said Philip LaHaye, event manager. “Hunter Kemper is a local favorite, and I know it will be a treat for the fans and competitors to see him competing at St. Anthony’s Triathlon.”

The 23rd annual St. Anthony’s Triathlon will be Apr. 28-30 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. The world-famous triathlon is one of the premier multi-sports events in the United States, offering a weekend focused on fitness and fun with the beautiful backdrop of St. Petersburg’s waterfront downtown.