XTERRA Wetsuits sponsors Tri for Our Veterans

I am very excited to announce a renewed partnership with XTERRA Wetsuits. In our inaugural race, the swim caps and some prizes were provided by XTERRA. They have generously stepped up to the plate and pledged their support to Tri for Our Veterans II!

Thank you XTERRA!

XTERRA is also our preferred wetsuit rental partner. As you know, the water temperature will be about 62-64 degrees for the race in Sea Isle and wetsuits are strongly encouraged. Though it is a short swim (400 meters), most athletes will want a wetsuit for buoyancy and warmth. Don't have one? No problem-- XTERRA provides an inexpensive and easy solution-- rent one for the week by visiting their rental shop-- CLICK HERE for more information. Rent it for this race or the Avalon triathlon and others (Stone Harbor Triathlon)

I race wearing an XTERRA suit-- the Vector Pro. I love it-- feels like I am gliding through the water and it is very easy to take off during transitions.

70 days until we hit the water-- you ready?
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Training Tips

Tri for Our Veterans is off to a BOOMING start with 110 people signed up so far. Very exciting. Last year, we had 400 registrations and we will surpass this number by May.

I am often asked questions about the race-- is it a good race for 1st timers, is the ocean swim scary, how should I tailor my training, and will the sandy beach run slow me down. Here are some answers and a few training tips:

1st Timers? Yup, more than welcome. Last year, 40% of our racers were "rookies" and 99.85% finished. Pretty good, huh? The Sprint Distance is a great way to experience a triathlon. All of the distances are as short as possible and you can practice the various legs (see training tips below).

Ocean swim scary? Are you kidding? A scary swim, to me, is a stagnant, land-locked lake or pond with yucky run off (when it rains, dog/goose crap and other stuff finds its way into the pond), low visibility, and who knows what on the bottom. In the ocean, you are swimming in a very clean, visible water table. Our race is staffed by Sea Isle City's Beach Patrol, who can be at your side in seconds, thanks to their outstanding training and equipment (jet ski!). The Beach Patrol are in the water with you and surround the swim course. Plus, we also set our swim course to go WITH the current...you'll be out in no time. Last year, the average time in the water was under 14 minutes (fastest was 6 mins, slowest was 19 mins).

Slow, sandy beach run? Running on the beach is certainly different than running on the sidewalk. Will it be slower than running a 5k on the streets? Yes, but our average times map consistently with the garden variety 5k road race--- meaning, not that much of a difference. One suggestion is to try and do a training run on the beach. Another tip, find the hardest piece of salty beach line and stick with it. Positives--- running next to the ocean is just awesome.

Training tips? My fist triathlon was the Avalon Islandman, a race I still go back to every year-- wonderfully run and the course is very similar to ours in Sea Isle (same distance too). Looking back, I would have done a lot of things differently. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Plan backwards: Race date is May 23rd. Plan your training from that day and march backwards on the calendar. You'll want to hit certain milestones in training (run "X" miles, Bike "Y" miles). Try to "peak" or hit your longest distances in early May. You'll want to leave two weeks to taper off your training. The body needs to rest.

2. Do a "Brick": A brick work out means you are putting two training sessions back-to-back. I suggest doing a bike ride followed by a run. When getting off the bike, some racers experience "jelly" legs and you'll want to have that experience when hitting the run. Try it out-- do a mock race if you need to. By doing a brick, you'll eliminate the surprise feeling of jelly legs.

3. Distances: Because this is a Sprint distance (400m swim, 12.3 mile bike, 3.1 mile run), there is no need to train at heavy distances. It is more important to consistently hit the distances. For instance, training for the run portion does not require you to log 40 miles a week or a 10 mile run. Instead, focus on doing 3.1 miles well-- hone in your speed by running hills, completing a brick, and having the confidence to do all three segments.

4. Average finishing time: Last year, the average finishing time was 1 hour, 28 minutes. By May one of your goals (if this is your first triathlon), should be to exercise for over an hour. Preferably, work out for 90 minutes-- any type of cardio will do and any combination. The Brick I suggested? Maybe a goal for you is to be able to bike for 60 minutes and immediately switch to a 30 minute run. If you can do this by May, you can complete the race.

5. Plan your work, work your plan: Using the "backward calendar", you have laid out your workout plan for the race. Now do it! Sounds easy, but so many people have already given up on their January 1st resolution of getting in shape. Don't be that guy/girl.

See you soon in Sea Isle City...133 days before the race.
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Idea for Tri: One Year Later

It has been one year since I dreamed up the Tri For Our Veterans race. Coincidentally, we just sent The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (IMSFF) a final check for $4500. In total, we raised $14,500 for the IMSFF and an additional $14,500 for the new Veterans' Memorial in Sea Isle.

I am very pleased with our results.

The needs of our veterans' are not going away. Every day, casualties are reported in both Afghanistan and Iraq. These soldiers will need our help when they return. Tri For Our Veterans II planning has already started and we look forward to raising the bar and donating more money to organizations like the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

Thank you to all who volunteered, raced, and watched this year's race. I will be posting some key announcements for Tri for Our Veterans II in the coming months, including the addition of a duathlon event run simultaneously next to the triathlon. The race will also continue the tradition of handing out the best prizes and race packs. Please stay tuned for more information.
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We're #1

If you were at the race, you know we handed a check for $10,000 to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. We were still closing the financial books on the race and we could not give them the full amount we raised, so we figured we would give them a significant portion of the funds. Plus, let's face it-- $10,000 is a nice round number!

As it turns out, we are sending another check for roughly $3,000-4,000. The kind people at the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund told me this was their largest donation from a community event.

Yes, Sea Isle friends, we are #1!!

Of course, this was only 50% of our total revenue. The rest of the money was turned over to Sea Isle's VFW, for their efforts to improve the Veterans' Memorial in town. Honestly, it feels great to help our worthy soldiers AND honor the past through a [local] memorial.

Lastly, we are kicking in plans for next year. This year, I think we had some very cool give aways for our racers-- t-shirt, Polar water bottle, and a beach bag. Check out the poll on the side of this blog and vote for next year's SWAG!! What should we do-- premium beach towel, Coolmax hats (sweat wicking hat), Under Armor like t-shirt, or cotton long sleeve. VOTE!
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SELL OUT expected by the weekend

Sell out. wow. I am very excited to announce we will most likely close online registration this weekend due to a high volume of racers signing up in April-May.

We will donate more than $20,000 to our two veterans' causes. Very cool. I am hoping to hit the magic number of $25,000. We'll see.

Less than 20 spots left. We will probably allocate 12 slots for race day-- first come, first served. No water bottle or beach bag, but a very cool t-shirt.

Currently, we have more than 325 racers lined up for the triathlon. The Military Division constitutes more than 10% of the registration list. OOHRAH!

See you in Sea Isle City...

Race news, tidbits, & 44 days to go...

Race registrations are up to 225 and we are expecting a sellout...which is great news.

This week, Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, was posthumously awarded the nation's highest military honor-- The Congressional Medal of Honor. Monsoor was in Iraq with his SEAL Team, flushing out insurgents, when a grenade landed next to him. He dove on the exploding grenade and saved the lives of his fellow SEALs in doing so. Though he lived for 30 minutes after the explosion, Monsoor eventually died, becoming the 16th SEAL killed in Iraq/Afghanistan. Another debt that can never be repaid.

I am planning something special at the race to remember those brave men and women who have given their lives in Iraq. With more than 4,000 killed in the war, it is a challenge, but I have something up my sleeve to honor all of them AND call out our local heroes (NJ-DE-PA) in particular. More details to follow...

Thanks go out to the Yacht Club of Sea Isle, the Commodore Club, the TI Yacht Club and the various organizations who have been pledging volunteers for the race. THANK YOU.

44 days until the race...you ready?

Trophies for top finishers

Most races give out trophies or awards for top performances. Top relay team, 1st place, and top performances in age groups (i.e. Men 30-34) are all examples. Tri for Our Veterans is no different-- we will have awards and they will coincide with our veteran's theme. All top performances will win a customized dog tag key chain, as pictured above. I was worried if this was going to be well received by our military and veterans in attendance, but the VFW assured me it was "a-ok". My number one goal is to put on a great race and raise a lot of money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, but a close second is to raise awareness to the true purpose of Memorial Day-- honoring our military. Hopefully, we can accomplish both!

We are now over 180 participants...guarantee your spot by registering HERE before we close out the race.

Press Coverage: Tri for Our Veterans

Click directly on the article for a larger viewing of the article.

Ok, it is not the New York Times, but I think the Sea Isle Times did a nice job of highlighting the race. We appreciate the public relations. If you are having a hard time reading the article, click HERE and it will take you to their website.

Call for Volunteers

Well, we have more than 170 people registered for the race and we expect about 350 total racers. This will allow us to donate approximately $20,000 to our veteran causes. Great news!

We still need help, though. The race is very difficult to organize and we need volunteers to help with traffic control. Do you have family and friends willing to help? Click HERE to sign up.

We are only asking for two hours of your time. Most of the volunteers will be asked to help with traffic control-- Pleasure Avenue and northbound Landis Avenue are closed to traffic. Volunteers will be asked to hold any vehicles from entering the course-- 7:30 to 9:30 AM.

Please spread the word-- folks can sign-up online by clicking HERE.

Race GIVEAWAY....~Chill~, we have it!

Ok, so everyone I know asks, "Are you going to have Tshirts"? Of course. Every race has it and it is the one thing you can count on when entering a race. To start a race is sometimes just as competitive as participating in a race. In South Jersey alone, there are now 5 beach triathlons and we need to do our best to stand out from the crowd. I am very excited to announce the Tri for Our Veterans will be giving custom Polar Bottles to our first 300 registered racers. Click HERE to read all about the company. Honestly, this is NOT your average water bottle-- it is a 24 ounce insulated water bottle and will keep your beverage of choice cooler twice as long as the usual water bottle. If you shop at Dick's or REI, check them out for yourself-- and the pricetag-- (retails for $10). The bottle is perfect for your bike cage or your long days at the beach.

Yes, this is an expensive giveaway, but we want to make this triathlon a success in year 2-20, so we are doing our best to deliver a great, all around experience. The tshirt will be fantastic (logo is done and it is awesome), the Polar Bottle will thrill you, the course is fast-fantastic, and the food at the end of the race (Herr's pretzels, Rita's Water Ice, bananas, oranges) will satisfy you.

Only 70 days until the race. Be one of the first 300 to register and you get a Polar Bottle...wait until the last minute and you are out of luck.

Click HERE to register.

Triathlon tops 100 registrations!

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.

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.

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.

From the Civil War to Iraq/Afghanistan: When will we provide for our military veterans?

If you have been following the Tri for Our Veterans race blog, you know that all of the proceeds will be split between Sea Isle City's VFW Post 1963 and The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. It is really important to keep our veterans in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to serve in the Middle East (we are approaching the 5 year anniversary of the Iraq War-- almost 4,000 US soldiers killed in action). Just this week, an important article was published, detailing the trauma these soldiers bring home with them from the front. Click HERE to read about it. Basically, it chronicles how our veterans struggle to re-enter American society after being on the front lines. After ducking bullets and dodging IEDs, they come home to a country tracking the latest drama with Brittany Spears. Our vets face a myriad of obstacles in the transition from the war front to the home front. Homelessness, for one, is a rampant problem for our returning soldiers and has been in every conflict since the Civil War. In 2006, our government counted 336,000 veterans as homeless, which is simply heartbreaking.

The aforementioned article will give you a better insight to the problems facing our returning men & women in uniform, but the one quote that caught my attention, "War changes people", reminded me of when I was a kid and my Dad would introduce me to certain Vietnam Veterans-- he would sometimes comment how different that his friend was before Vietnam. It is very sad to see the same problems occur, 30 years later.

Thankfully, great organizations are helping our returning soldiers and you can too. The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is one of those wonderful organizations. The Semper Fi Fund has done a phenomenal job of raising lots of money (almost $17 million since May, 2004), while keeping expenses, like salaries, very low. For each dollar raised by the fund, 95 percent of that revenue is distributed to our veterans and their families.

When you are debating to do this race, think about how your efforts will go to help our veterans. Since this country's inception, they have protected and fought for our freedom and we owe them.

Click here & Sign up for the race-- we will sell out!

Get the Word Out: Sea Isle Triathlon

Ok, the registration has been open for 13 days now and we have seen a good amount of traction. So far, we have two (2) relay teams signed up and twenty eight (28) individuals. Check out the competitors on this website. We have competitors coming from the following states: MA, NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD. Not too shabby and I am pleasantly surprised.

The big story is the race blog, which opened in early December. Over 700 visitors from more than 20 states have visited the site. Five (5) different countries have visited the race blog. Most of the traffic comes from three websites: google (duh), USA Triathlon, and Piranha Sports (our timing partner).

Tri for Our Veterans has to thank a number of folks for helping to get the word out. For one, Piranha-- they are a great partner and sent out an email blast to their previous racers. Secondly, I have to give a shout out to Bubba Dogs, who has the best hot dogs in Sea Isle and a great attitude. Tim (Bubba Dog) is a veteran and has been kind enough to "advertise" the race on his own blog, which is one cool site for anyone looking to learn a little about Sea Isle, Philadelphia, and everything in between (Go Phils). Finally, my good friend Chuck Brodsky, who is the Founder of The Nation's Triathlon-- if not for his advice and guidance, I would be LOST! Check out his race in DC-- I am running it this year.

Click HERE to help out veterans and register for the Race....

You can also help by spreading the word about Sea Isle's Triathlon!

New Year's Resolution: Register, Train for the race

Happy New Year! Many of us are waking up a bit drowsy this morning, cursing the cheap champagne, the never-ending toast at midnight, or the decision to stay up just a few more hours. Gyms are packed around the country with folks putting their resolutions into practice and there is a run on Advil at the local CVS to alleviate either the headache from last night or the sore muscles from this morning's workout (rarely both).

When making your New Year's resolutions, please keep Sea Isle City's triathlon race in mind and register for the Tri for Our Veterans race. That's right-- put a stake in the ground and say "I'm doing it-- I am going to train for the summer's first triathlon of the season". We need our supporters to register as early as possible. The race is restricted to 400 racers and we need all of the support we can muster. With an early sell out, Tri for Our Veterans will be able to better publicize the event, work on other fundraising mechanisms, and control our costs--- all of which will help us increase our contribution to The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and Sea Isle's VFW Post 1963. Remember, all proceeds from this race go directly to these two great organizations.

Finally, many of us count exercise as one of our many resolutions for January 1st. By late January, we all need some motivation. Any time I need a kick in the can to get out of bed and out to the gym, I think of the folks below-- feel free to do the same.

Len McCulley: My Grandfather. He has taught me so much in life. As a 19 year old soldier during the Battle of the Bulge, he was "volunteered" to flush a sniper out of a church steeple because he was young, green, and single. He won the Bronze Star for his efforts and eventually made it back to Philadelphia to marry, raise a family, and cheer for his Eagles. I often think of him during my workouts, especially today, his birthday!

Gary Gordon & Randy Shughart: These 2 brave soldiers risked their own lives to save an Army pilot in Somalia, as depicted in Black Hawk Down. I can't image having the courage to do what they did. Both were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Our wounded veterans: If these folks can pull themselves out of bed for physical therapy, I am guessing I can pound the pavement to shed a few pounds.

Please click HERE to register for the race...we need you!

Registration is now OPEN!

Tri for Our Veterans race registration is now open for business. Our website and registration page went live this week. Click HERE to be linked over to it. All major credit cards accepted-- as well as checks/money orders.

Update: Congrats to Tom & Kara Cullen-- first athletes to register!

We have partnered with Piranha Sports to time the event and organize the registrations. For those triathlon newcomers, timing is very sophisticated these days. Piranha will provide a velcro anklet & RFID chip, which is tracked via computers. You will be able to view your results, including the "splits" for the swim, bike, and run, by the afternoon of the race. They are an AWESOME partner and organize a number of their own races. Lots of experience!

Three key points:

1. This race will sell out-- register now to confirm your spot.
2. The earlier you register, the cheaper the registration fees
3. If possible, please register by check--it saves us a transaction fee-- more money to the Vets!

Get a jump on that New Year's resolution & register today!

The Marines have Landed

One of my favorite TV shows growing up was "The A Team", starring Mr. T and George Peppard. Peppard's character, Col. Hannibal, would always declare "I love it when a plan comes together" after a successful mission.

Although I recognize there is a tremendous amount of work to complete for the Tri for Our Veterans race, a lot of progress has been made in the past few days. My good friend, Chuck Brodsky, started The Nation's Triathlon in DC and continues to be a great mentor to me as I organize this race. (As a first time Race Director, I would be lost without his guidance). Chuck connected me with Team Semper Fi, which is one of the many initiatives of The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund-- yes, the same organization that will share in the proceeds from the triathlon. Team Semper Fi provides coaching, specialized sporting equipment, entry fees, and travel expenses for wounded team members/veterans. I spoke to the coach and sponsor of Team Semper Fi, explained the Tri for Our Veterans concept, and invited him to join the race. He accepted! Team Semper Fi will be sending about 12 athletes to compete.

Additionally, we received official recognition as an event associated with The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. With their official backing and Team Semper Fi's participation, the Tri for Our Veterans race carries a tremendous amount of legitimacy. My hope is to work with our sponsors, The City of Sea Isle City and VFW Post 1963, to attract a lot of media attention to the event, which will fuel registration figures, increase revenue, and, ultimately, the contribution back to The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. It is a nice circle of partnership-- they officially recognize the race, we donate monies to them, and our veterans benefit from increased services.

It appears as though The Marines Have Landed in Sea Isle City!

As an avid racer, I am just thrilled and excited to watch the Team Semper Fi athletes compete in the triathlon. The Team Semper Fi competitors have incurred a number of battlefield injuries; some members have been badly burned, others suffered gunshot wounds, and a few have lost limbs to IEDs and other devices of war. Besides the grueling physical therapy program, these soldiers have completed a number of difficult endurance races, including The Marine Corps Marathon, Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, and The Nation's Triathlon. Their grit, determination, and sheer will to compete and win is admirable and I am excited to watch them in action as they storm the beaches and take the streets of Sea Isle during the triathlon!

Unfortunately, I will not be able to compete in my own race because of the numerous responsibilities as race director (this is my only regret about the race, for I have always wanted to compete in a Sea Isle tri, considering I have spent every summer of my life in this fantastic beach town). However, I will certainly remember the obstacles and challenges these fine Americans have faced and overcome during my long training runs...God knows, we can all use some inspiration at mile 20 of a marathon.

Registration and website will be up by December 20!

"So, why are you doing this..."

Last summer, I completed four triathlons, a marathon, and an Ironman 70.3 (Half Ironman). My MBA finished up in May and work was going very well. I spent a lot of time in Sea Isle and really enjoyed the long summer with my three daughters, my wife, and the rest of my family and friends.

Then, I read the article. I read the New York Times every day and this one was an Art & Entertainment piece, which I rarely read. It was a review of a photographer's work hosted by a NYC gallery. The article broke me. It made me feel so selfish, so guilty, so undeserving, so ashamed, so un-American because I did not serve my country like my father and grandfather. The article made me want to do something. The article and its pictures still haunt me. The article is still online and I go back to it now and again-- check it out when you can.

This idea, this race, this blog, and this post are all apolitical. I will not divulge my political party, my feelings for or against the war, nor the administration that launched it. I have only one goal: to give something back to the veterans who have fought in our previous battles and those who fight in today's wars. It is fairly simple, but, wow, is there a lot of work to do...

I came up with the idea to launch the "Tri for Our Veterans" triathlon race and host it in Sea Isle City, NJ, which is the beach town my family has visited for 40+ years. Triathlons are very fun-- you start off by swimming a certain distance, jump on a bike for a number of miles, then run as best as you can to the finish line. My race is going to be a "sprint" because of the short distances involved. Most folks think of the Ironman Series when it comes to triathlon races--- which is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 miles bike, and 26.2 (marathon) race. Sea Isle's Tri will be a wee bit different-- 1/4 mile swim, 12.3 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run on the beach's hard sand-- perfect for first timers, those looking for a beach workout after a long night at the Ocean Drive, or someone willing to help our veterans. For most people, they will complete the race in about 90 minutes or so.

Best of all-- the proceeds will go towards two fine organizations: The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund & Sea Isle's VFW Post 1963, in their efforts to rebuild the town's Veterans' Memorial Fountain and Garden.

Which brings me to the title of this post-- I met with a professional timing company today, who will record and post all of the triathletes' times. They organize & host about 12 races a year as part of their business. When they asked about the purpose of the race, I let them know it was going to be a not-for-profit race...to which they responded...."So, why are you doing this..."

Read the article, check out the photographer's gallery http://www.jenbekman.com/artists/nina_berman/, and then you might get a sense of how bad these soldiers need our help and deserve our respect.

Wanna Race? Volunteer? More to come......