Sea Isle's Tri for Our Veterans race has surpassed 100 registered partcipants. If you know of friends or family who are planning on signing up for this triathlon, please encourage them to do so-- remember, you can sign up as a relay team.
A. Race registration fees increase 15% on February 27.
B. This race will SELL OUT. Register now while it is still open!
Click HERE to register for the only triathlon in the US to benefit our veterans.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Swim Portion of the Race
No, this is not a picture of the start of the race!! Sea Isle's Polar Bear Plunge last week was amazing. There were so many people lined up on the Promenade and countless more in the water. We had a table and handed out information about the race. "The Swim" usually dominated the conversations, so I thought I would take some time and discuss it on the race blog.
First, the water will not be as warm as August-- pure and simple. However, it will be warmer than the Plunge. The anticipated temperature is 63-65 degrees and wetsuits are encouraged. Click HERE to visit our sponsor, XTERRA, for rentals. Now, keep in mind, this is a very short swim (400 meters) and most people will be out of the water within 15 minutes. In fact, the average time in the water for triathlons in Wildwood and Avalon was roughly 14 minutes. The winner of Avalon completed the swim in 7:53 minutes and the slowest time on record was 19:06. Plus, most competitors will run into and out of the water-- so there goes 100 meters. Last thought-- 10-15 minutes in 65 degree water or a year long tour of Baghdad. Hmmm...
Secondly, we are taking a number of safety precautions. Sea Isle's Police Department is in charge of the Beach Patrol and we are working with them to secure plenty of lifeguards for the race. We expect to have a team of guards in the water, on surf boards, in kayaks, and in rowboats. The City is also closely coordinating with the State Police Marine Patrol and the Coast Guard. We will have plenty of protection for our racers. If ocean conditions imperil our athletes in any way (i.e. rough surf, weather), we will yield to the Beach Patrol for a decision to cancel the swim and replace it with a 2 mile run.
Finally, the course is very simple and will not take you far off of the beach. We will start in a runners' stance and athletes will run into the surf and swim out 100 meters to a posted buoy/flag. Racers will then make the turn around the flag and swim with the current to the next flag, 200 meters away. The last segment is to swim 100 meters to the beach. This is a fairly easy swim and with a little training, you can easily complete it.
Personally, the first time I competed in a race (Avalon), I was terrified of the swim and did not practice AT ALL. Half way through, I switched from freestyle to breaststroke and completed in 10 minutes. I would not suggest this regimen, but my point is-- YOU CAN DO IT!
I will give segment updates like this for the bicycle and run portions in a few weeks. Check the registration page on Piranha by clicking HERE to check out the race maps.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Racing for a Just Cause: Semper Tri
It has been a very busy week. Registrations have really soared in the past two weeks and we are now 100 days away from the Tri for Our Veterans race. A number of news organizations have started to pay attention and I am guessing there will be a few stories about the race, once the weather breaks and Memorial Day comes into focus. In two interviews this week, I stressed the participation of Team Semper Fi and the courageous veterans who make up this team. Team Semper Fi is made up injured Marines and Sailors who participate in sporting events to help raise funds and awareness for our wounded. Check out their site by clicking HERE and learning more.
One question was raised in both interviews: "Ok, so 50% of the money goes to the VFW to refurbish the town's Veterans' Memorial fountain. The other 50% goes to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. What do they do?"
The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is a phenomenal organization-- 94% of every dollar raised goes directly to the injured Marines. They have a very low administrative overhead rate. The short answer is-- they do anything and everything to make a wounded Marine comfortable when returning home. Yes, the government provides a lot of resources for our injured soldiers, but they cannot provide all things.
As an example, The Inquirer published a story about a local Marine, Cpl. Raymond Hennagir, as he returned home from Iraq. Click HERE to read it. Cpl. Hennagir returned home from the front when an IED blew off both of his legs and part of his hand. His one request was to attend his platoon's homecoming from Iraq at Camp Lejeune, which would require a special medical van for the long distance trip. The US Government cannot pay for these types of requests; this is where The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund comes into play-- they paid for Cpl. Hennagir's trip to welcome home is fellow Marines. Cpl. Hennagir was 21 years old at the time of the explosion.
I first heard of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund in this article. Combined with the article in the NY Times, this article pushed me to create the Tri for Our Veterans race. I am hoping you will join us on Memorial Day weekend and have some fun, honor our veterans, and cheer on Team Semper Fi.
Don't forget to REGISTER for the race. Click HERE.
One question was raised in both interviews: "Ok, so 50% of the money goes to the VFW to refurbish the town's Veterans' Memorial fountain. The other 50% goes to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. What do they do?"
The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is a phenomenal organization-- 94% of every dollar raised goes directly to the injured Marines. They have a very low administrative overhead rate. The short answer is-- they do anything and everything to make a wounded Marine comfortable when returning home. Yes, the government provides a lot of resources for our injured soldiers, but they cannot provide all things.
As an example, The Inquirer published a story about a local Marine, Cpl. Raymond Hennagir, as he returned home from Iraq. Click HERE to read it. Cpl. Hennagir returned home from the front when an IED blew off both of his legs and part of his hand. His one request was to attend his platoon's homecoming from Iraq at Camp Lejeune, which would require a special medical van for the long distance trip. The US Government cannot pay for these types of requests; this is where The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund comes into play-- they paid for Cpl. Hennagir's trip to welcome home is fellow Marines. Cpl. Hennagir was 21 years old at the time of the explosion.
I first heard of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund in this article. Combined with the article in the NY Times, this article pushed me to create the Tri for Our Veterans race. I am hoping you will join us on Memorial Day weekend and have some fun, honor our veterans, and cheer on Team Semper Fi.
Don't forget to REGISTER for the race. Click HERE.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Announcing a Founding Sponsor
Thanks to Bill Dalton (President) and Bridgepoint Insurance Group, a founding sponsor of the “Tri for Our Veterans” triathlon race. Bridgepoint is a specialty insurance agency that proves that all insurance is not the same. Bridgepoint advises clients on the design and selection of insurance programs that meet their specific needs and prides itself on customer satisfaction. Bridgepoint serves non-profit and human services organizations, the golf and hospitality industry, law firms, real estate, technology and many other industries. Click HERE to find out more about this excellent company.
Monday, February 4, 2008
New Developments, 110 days to go
Sorry for the delay in blogging-- just got back from a week in warm weather on business. Luckily, my company has a number of athletes employed and my team is stocked with triathletes. During the work week, I was lucky enough to run in warm weather and swim off the beach in Ft. Lauderdale. On Friday, I swam 1.5 miles in the Caribbean and capped the trip off on Sunday by running 13 miles on the deck of a cruise ship as it plodded past Key West....which got me thinking....Tri season is rapidly approaching. I wish you all the best in your training over the next few months.
Recent developments:
* I am very thankful for my friendship with Chuck Brodsky, founder of the Nation's Triathlon in DC. If you have been reading since the beginning, you know that Chuck and I worked together at a small DC software company, ran our first marathon together (Philadelphia) and he has been so helpful in my efforts to launch Tri for Our Veterans. Now, Chuck has gone well beyond the call of friendship and my race is featured on The Nation's Triathlon website. Click HERE to check out his site. He is almost sold out, so if you want to race in our nation's capitol this September, sign up now.
* New sponsor: XTERRA Wetsuits is sponsoring the Tri for Our Veterans race. How awesome is that!! Xterra has a phenomenal reputation in the tri-o-sphere as the best wetsuit, bar none. And now they are a major sponsor. More details to come. In the meantime, if you need a wetsuit for the race, click HERE.
* 110 days and counting-- as I have stated a hundred times, this race is a complete NON PROFIT and all monies go to the local VFW in Sea Isle and The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Please do us a favor-- if you want to sign up, don't hesistate...sign up NOW by clicking HERE. If you have already registered...thank you...but your mission is not over. We need more participants to raise enough money for our noble veterans. Pass along the details about this event to your friends, family, and fellow competitors. We have a team relay, which allows three people to join up and take a stage each-- and if they cannot find a swimmer to do the 400 meters in the ocean, email me at mcculleyfordham@hotmail.com and I will find one for you!
This race is going to be fun, well organized, and will surely make you proud to be an American. Plus, I am working on some great swag, like a beach bag, cool tee shirt, and, of course, a water bottle. Stay tuned, register, and get back to training.
Recent developments:
* I am very thankful for my friendship with Chuck Brodsky, founder of the Nation's Triathlon in DC. If you have been reading since the beginning, you know that Chuck and I worked together at a small DC software company, ran our first marathon together (Philadelphia) and he has been so helpful in my efforts to launch Tri for Our Veterans. Now, Chuck has gone well beyond the call of friendship and my race is featured on The Nation's Triathlon website. Click HERE to check out his site. He is almost sold out, so if you want to race in our nation's capitol this September, sign up now.
* New sponsor: XTERRA Wetsuits is sponsoring the Tri for Our Veterans race. How awesome is that!! Xterra has a phenomenal reputation in the tri-o-sphere as the best wetsuit, bar none. And now they are a major sponsor. More details to come. In the meantime, if you need a wetsuit for the race, click HERE.
* 110 days and counting-- as I have stated a hundred times, this race is a complete NON PROFIT and all monies go to the local VFW in Sea Isle and The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Please do us a favor-- if you want to sign up, don't hesistate...sign up NOW by clicking HERE. If you have already registered...thank you...but your mission is not over. We need more participants to raise enough money for our noble veterans. Pass along the details about this event to your friends, family, and fellow competitors. We have a team relay, which allows three people to join up and take a stage each-- and if they cannot find a swimmer to do the 400 meters in the ocean, email me at mcculleyfordham@hotmail.com and I will find one for you!
This race is going to be fun, well organized, and will surely make you proud to be an American. Plus, I am working on some great swag, like a beach bag, cool tee shirt, and, of course, a water bottle. Stay tuned, register, and get back to training.
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