Kanaan, the 2004 IZOD IndyCar Series champion who drives the No. 11 Team 7-Eleven car for Andretti Autosport, and A.J. Foyt Racing driver Vitor Meira were among 560 competitors in the event in Miami. All proceeds go to support research to combat and potentially cure the inherited degenerative brain disorder.

Meira finished third in his age group (30-34) in the Olympic-distance race that includes a 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run. He had a total time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, 16 seconds. Kanaan finished fourth in his age group (35-39) in the sprint triathlon that includes a 400-yard swim, 12.4-mile bike and 3.1-mile run in 1:10.14.

"I don't think I can call myself a triathlete, but I'm in love with the sport," Kanaan said. "It's harder than racing my own car. Here it's just you; you can't blame anyone else for how you do."

Kanaan will compete in the inaugural Miami 70.3 on Oct. 30, while Meira will compete in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship on Nov. 13 in Clearwater, Fla.

In Indianapolis, 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion J.R. Hildebrand, who will make his IZOD IndyCar Series debut this weekend in the No. 24 RollCoater car for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, finished 17th overall (second in his age group) in the Tri Indy Sprint Triathlon. He completed the 500-meter swim, 20K bike and 5K run in 1:05.27. Firestone Indy Lights drivers Dan Clarke and Gustavo Yacaman also participated in the sprint triathlon event.