DiSpirito, 42, will join more than 1,500 athletes from around the globe to swim 1.2-miles, bike 56-miles and run 13.1-miles, all to be completed in under 7 1/2 hours.

"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to compete in the Ironman World Championship 70.3 event," said DiSpirito. "I look forward to participating amongst some of the world's most talented athletes."

The accomplished chef and author not only stands out in the kitchen, but also as an athlete. DiSpirito's triathlon experience consists of participating in a variety of events including the 2007 St Croix Ironman 70.3 and the 2007 Nautica Malibu Triathlon, presented by Toyota.

The average Ironman triathlete spends 10 to 30-plus hours each week training for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3. DiSpirito will be managing his training as well as his busy work schedule as a prominent chef.

DiSpirito has owned and operated Union Pacific in New York City's Gramercy Park and 22nd Street Restaurant, which was also home to NBC 's, "The Restaurant" in 2003. In 1999, he went on to be named Food & Wine's Best New Chef and in 2000 Gourmet magazine deemed him "America's Most Exciting Young Chef." DiSpirito is the author of five cookbooks, including Flavor, Rocco's Italian American, Rocco's Real Life Recipes and Rocco Gets Real: Cook At Home Everyday. In March 2010, Rocco will publish his latest book entitled Now Eat This, which is focused on healthy makeovers of America's favorite comfort foods.

Rocco additionally created and starred in the A&E series "Rocco Gets Real," and has been a contributor on Rachel Ray, Good Morning America, The Today Show; a judge on Bravo's "Top Chef," frequent guest chef on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," as well as a competitor on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Rocco has been featured in articles in Fitness, GQ, The New York Times and People Magazine's Sexiest Man alive to name just a few.

For more information on the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, please visit: http://ironman.com/worldchampionship70.3.

All media-related inquiries can be directed to Blair LaHaye at 813-868-5929; Jessica Weidensall at 813-868-5914; Chris Ward at 312-235-3282 or Lisa Bruno at 212-714-7907.

About Ironman

World Triathlon Corporation, owner and organizer of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 branded-events, is a Florida-based company recognized for athletic excellence, performance and quality products. With the addition of the Ironman 70.3 Series, Ironman now has more than 60 qualifying events worldwide. Supported by partners that include Ford Motor Company, PowerBar, Timex and Gatorade, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world. Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978 and is regarded as the world's most challenging endurance event. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss' crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Each year, more than 150,000 athletes compete for slots in the Ford Ironman World Championship held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 held every November in Clearwater, Fla.. The Ironman brand has been featured in a range of media outlets to include NBC, CNN Headline News, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, People, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and USA Today.