Triathlon Today at Lake Mission Viejo

World champion Greg Welch of Bangor, Australia, and defending champion Brad Kearns of Cool, Calif., were among an expected 1,000 competitors in today’s Orange County Performing Arts Center Triathlon at Lake Mission Viejo.

Also competing in the event--which includes a 1,500-meter swim, a 40-kilometer cycle ride and a 10-kilometer run--were about 200 corporate relay teams and 100 open relay teams. The race was scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.

Also among the entrants is defending women’s champion Colleen Cannon of Nederland, Colo., and defending men’s masters champion Bill Leach, a 45-year-old history teacher at Corona del Mar High School.