The Rodney T. Miller Lakeside Triathlon is going pro.

In its third year, the event has been expanded to include prize money to those who finish top three in the new male and female elite/pro division - $1,500 for first, $700 for second and $299 for third. The total of $4,998 is as much as a triathlon that includes age divisions can award.

Because of that change, Sunday's race, which begins and ends at Nelson Park, will include a handful of the sport's known names, including Daniel Bretscher, Lauren "The Shark" Jensen and Nick Waninger.

"When I saw the list, the people I was with didn't know the names. I had to point out that a couple of them were really, really good," said Spin City Cycles owner and triathlete Kyle May. "Some of them are really young, but there's a lot of potential there."

While most aren't familiar with the top names in pro triathlon, the sport's popularity is on the rise. Race director Lori Kerans hopes the pros competing in the Lakeside Triathlon become household names in Decatur.

"We want people to be able to get up close and personal with the superstars of the sport," Kerans said. "Some of them are going to join us at the Spin City Cycle tent, signing autographs, taking pictures and handing out posters. We want people to be able to watch the Olympics or watch a tri on TV and say, `I met them at the Decatur triathlon.' "

May, who has competed in several triathlons that included pro and elite athletes, suggested the idea of awarding prize money to draw professionals. And with most of the overhead to run the event already paid for, there was room in the budget.

"I was so new to it, I didn't even know there was such a thing (as elite/pro triathlon) when we first started doing it," Kerans said. "But what we've realized is we have the foundational and community support to attract world class athletes here."

The event managed to expand without losing its local flavor. The field still includes several area participants, and even a few - including May, Ron Gillen, Ed Elliott and Blaise Carie - who will compete in the elite/pro division.

"It's a whole different level," May said of competing against the pro runners. "I just give them their space to do their own thing."

At least two of the pros - Bretscher and Waninger - will serve as volunteers at today's youth triathlon, which is held at Fairview Park. They'll give a speech to the kids just before the race, then serve on the volunteer crew during the race. Afterward, they'll pose for pictures with the kids and their medals.

"They've volunteered to do anything we want at the youth race. They'll be out on the course doing a job just like any other orange shirt out there," Kerans said. "It's so neat how willing they are to help and let kids reach out and give them a hug."

Today's triathlon, which is a USAT-sanctioned intermediate triathlon, will run in several waves, including the elite/pro, relays and Athenas and Clydesdales. Athenas are female triathletes over 150 pounds and Clydesdales are males over 225 pounds.

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Rodney T. Miller Lakeside Triathlon

WHEN: Today - Youth Triathlon, 9 a.m., Fairview Park; Sunday - Adult Triathlon, 8 a.m., Nelson Park.

WHO: Professionals will compete in an elite division for prize money, while "weekend warriors" compete in several divisions including relays and Athenas/Clydesdales.

LAST YEAR: Eric Ott won with a time of one hour, 32 minutes, 21 seconds. Jennifer Harrison won the women's division in 1:43.17. Decatur's Ron Gillen (fourth) was the highest county male finisher. Macon's Kristin White (53rd) was the highest local female finisher.

ADULT COURSE: Swim (0.7 miles) - At Lake Decatur, the route is 1,517 feet out, 936 feet across and 1,517 feet back. Bike (19 miles) - An out-and-back. Run (4.5 miles) - It begins in the transition area at Nelson Park and turns around at the intersection of Lakesore Drive and Brush College Road.

YOUTH COURSE: Juniors (ages 5-10) - Swim (100 meters), bike (2 miles), run (0.8 miles). Seniors (ages 11-16) - Swim (200 meters), bike (4 miles), run (1.2 miles).

Pro/elite Triathlete Profiles

Several professional triathletes will, for the first time, compete in the Rodney T. Miller Lakeside Triathlon. Here is a list of some of the bigger names:

Daniel Bretscher, 25, Greencastle, Ind. - Bretscher is in his second year as a pro after winning USA Triathlon's Elite Male Rookie of the Year. His rookie season included six wins, including a record-breaking performance at the Morgantown Half Iron.

Lauren "The Shark" Jensen, 41, Muskego, Wisc. - Jensen is a veteran with over 75 triathlons in her career. She was the 2004 US Pro/Elite National Long Course Triathlon Champion, the 2003 US Pro/Elite National Duathlon Champion, and was 12th at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000. In 2008, Jensen won seven triathlons

Nick Waninger, 24, Santa Claus, Ind. - The first-year pro has battled injuries this season after placing fourth overall in his age group at the 70.3 World Championships last year. Waninger is a standout runner who is still learning to excel at swimming and bicycling.

Greg Thompson, 34, Island Lake - The 1996 Triathlete Magazine Pro Rookie of the Year in 1996 won several events in the mid- to late-90s and was known as one of the top competitors before retiring to a desk job and family life. But he began a comeback in 2006.

Andrew Starykowicz, 27, Long Grove - One of the fastest triathlon cyclists in the world, he averaged 28 miles per hour over a distance of 56 miles at last year's 70.3 World Championships and may be the favorite on Sunday. Running isn't his strength.