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INDOOR/OUTDOOR TRIATHLON IN PLEASANT PRAIRIE APRIL 17
T
riathletes are starting to venture outside. And a to help them out RecPlex in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, will be holding a unique indoor/outdoor triathlon on Sunday, April 17. The race will consist of a 400-yard pool swim, 8-mile outdoor pedal on Spin bikes and a 2.3-mile run around Lake Andrea.
The April 17 Indoor/Outdoor Triathlon is the third in RecPlex's 2005 indoor triathlon series. January and March races were time based, consisting of a 10-minute swim, 20-minute bike and 15-minute treadmill run.
April's event will be a more traditional distance event with the winners determined by lowest overall time. Overall male and female winners will receive a pair of shoes courtesy of Triathlon World in Kenosha,
Wisconsin. Age group winners will receive certificates, and all participants will receive finisher's medals. Both Triathlon World and Aqua Sphere will be providing raffle prizes.
Registration for the Indoor/Outdoor Triathlon is $15 for RecPlex members, $20 for Village of Pleasant Prairie residents and $25 for all others. Additional race and registration information is available at: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1194959.
RecPlex is southeastern Wisconsin's premiere family recreation and fitness complex and offers training and
coaching by USA Triathlon certified coaches. RecPlex will host the Danskin Women's Triathlon July 10, the Pleasant Prairie Junior Triathlon August 20 and the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon on August 21.
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MIDWEST STATE QUALIFIERS SET FOR BEST U.S. AMATEUR TRIATHLETE COMPETITION
The fastest male and female amateur triathletes in 50 state qualifying events will earn the right to race each other at the "Best of the U.S. Championship" in Gilford, New Hampshire, on August 20. The state qualifiers in the upper Midwest are as follows.
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor Triathlon, June 12
The 20-year-old Ann Arbor Triathlon will host the Michigan state qualifier. The sprint distance event,
produced by Elite Endeavors, will be staged on Sunday, June 12, at Halfmoon Lake Beach near Pinckney northwest of Ann Arbor.
The Ann Arbor Triathlon is the annual kick-off event for the popular 10-race Michigan Grand Prix Series and is renowned for its post-race goodies and its 5-mile run course on the scenic and serpentine
Potawatomi Trail. The event has an enrollment limit of 650.
The Ann Arbor Triathlon replaces The Seahorse Challenge as the Michigan qualifier. Seahorse is not USAT
sanctioned, which is a prerequisite for participation in the "Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete Competition."
To learn more about the Ann Arbor Triathlon, visit www.eliteendeavors.com/aainfo.html or www.bestoftheustriathletes.com.
ILLINOIS
Iron Horse Quartermax, June 19
The Iron Horse Quartermax Triathlon, held in Springfield, will include a .6-mile swim, 28-mile bike ride and 6.5-mile run.
This marks a change for the event, which previously was a long-distance triathlon. Rather than continue to compete for triathletes who had the choice of four long-format triathlons held on Father's Day weekend in
the upper Midwest, the Iron Horse organizers decided to offer an intermediate distance race.
The Iron Horse is not only the Illinois state qualifier for the national amateur triathlete championship, it is also
a qualifier for the U.S. Half Triathlon Championship.
For more information, visit www.ironhorsetri.com.
IOWA
Pigman Sprint Triathlon, June 5
The Iowa state qualifier will be the Pigman Sprint Triathlon held in Pleasant Creek State Park, 12 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa. The event will include a .5K swim, 25K bike ride and 5K run.
Winning this event when it was first held 14 years ago was the then unknown (and future multiple Ironman Hawaii champion) Tim DeBoom and well-known pro duathlete Liz Downing. Thus the Pigman Sprint
Triathlon became one of the most competitive sprint races in the region.
This year, Pigman has upped the stakes, offering a total prize purse of $2,000 to the overall top five male
and female finishers. Elite, age-group, Clydesdale and Athena athletes are also eligible for cash awards.
2005 USA Triathlon Age-Group National Championship: On August 21, the Pigman Half Ironman will be
held. That event includes 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run.
For more information, go to www.pigmantri.com or e-mail john@pigmantri.com.
MINNESOTA
Lake Waconia Sprint, June 26
The 15th annual Lake Waconia Sprint Triathlon includes a half-mile swim, 17.5-mile bike ride and a 4-mile run. For more information, got to www.lakewaconiatriathlon.org.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Triterium, June 19
The Wisconsin Triterium Triathlon, set in Verona (just south of Madison), offers both sprint and Olympic distances. Verona first gained national attention in the triathlon community when the Ironman Wisconsin
passed through the area in 2002.
The sprint includes a 400-meters swim, 10.5-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run. The Olympic distance consists of a 1,500-meter swim, 24.9-mile bike and 6.2-mile run.
See www.enduranceperformance.com for more information.
P SS minocqua mtb race
Marcch 2005
Minocqua, Wisconsin The 2005 Minocqua Fat Tire Race, set for May 21, will be a point-to-point race
starting in downtown Minocqua and finishing at Minocqua Winter Park. This is a departure from the looped course used in previous years, according to race director Bob Dallapiazza.
The 15-mile and 23-mile races will be run on paved and gravel roads, fire lanes and rolling ski trail terrain. The cost is $25 per race.
The fees are cheaper for younger participants. For children under 10 participating in the 1.5-mile race, the cost is $5. A 4-mile race for juniors is $10.
There is also a 15-mile touring division for those just out to enjoy the trail and scenic Lakeland area.
The events start at 10 a.m. at Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua.
Also new this year are team trophies for the winners of the races. In addition, awards will be given to the
top three places in each age group. All children will be recognized with T-shirts and awards and other prizes will be given away at the awards ceremony.
For more information, check out the Web site www.skimwp.org; call Minocqua Winter Park at 715/
356-3309 or Dallapiazza at 715/356-9245; e-mail mskibob@centurytel.net; or write to him at P.O. Box 36, Minocqua, WI 54548.
The fastest male and female amateur triathletes in 50 state qualifying events will earn the right to race each
other at the "Best of the U.S. Championship" in Gilford, New Hampshire, on August 20. The state qualifiers in the upper Midwest are as follows.
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor Triathlon, June 12
The 20-year-old Ann Arbor Triathlon will host the Michigan state qualifier. The sprint distance event, produced by Elite Endeavors, will be staged on Sunday, June 12, at Halfmoon Lake Beach near Pinckney
northwest of Ann Arbor.
The Ann Arbor Triathlon is the annual kick-off event for the popular 10-race Michigan Grand Prix Series
and is renowned for its post-race goodies and its 5-mile run course on the scenic and serpentine Potawatomi Trail. The event has an enrollment limit of 650.
The Ann Arbor Triathlon replaces The Seahorse Challenge as the Michigan qualifier. Seahorse is not USAT sanctioned, which is a prerequisite for participation in the "Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete
Competition."
To learn more about the Ann Arbor Triathlon, visit www.eliteendeavors.com /aainfo.html or www.bestoftheustriathletes.com.
ILLINOIS
Iron Horse Quartermax, June 19
The Iron Horse Quartermax Triathlon, held in Springfield, will include a .6-mile swim, 28-mile bike ride and 6.5-mile run.
This marks a change for the event, which previously was a long-distance triathlon. Rather than continue to compete for triathletes who had the choice of four long-format triathlons held on Father's Day weekend in
the upper Midwest, the Iron Horse organizers decided to offer an intermediate distance race.
The Iron Horse is not only the Illinois state qualifier for the national amateur triathlete championship, it is also
a qualifier for the U.S. Half Triathlon Championship.
For more information, visit www.ironhorsetri.com.
IOWA
Pigman Sprint Triathlon, June 5
The Iowa state qualifier will be the Pigman Sprint Triathlon held in Pleasant Creek State Park, 12 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa. The event will include a .5K swim, 25K bike ride and 5K run.
Winning this event when it was first held 14 years ago was the then unknown (and future multiple Ironman Hawaii champion) Tim DeBoom and well-known pro duathlete Liz Downing. Thus the Pigman Sprint
Triathlon became one of the most competitive sprint races in the region.
This year, Pigman has upped the stakes, offering a total prize purse of $2,000 to the overall top five male
and female finishers. Elite, age-group, Clydesdale and Athena athletes are also eligible for cash awards.
2005 USA Triathlon Age-Group National Championship: On August 21, the Pigman Half Ironman will be
held. That event includes 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run.
For more information, go to www.pigmantri.com or e-mail john@pigmantri.com.
MINNESOTA
Lake Waconia Sprint, June 26
The 15th annual Lake Waconia Sprint Triathlon includes a half-mile swim, 17.5-mile bike ride and a 4-mile run. For more information, got to www.lakewaconiatriathlon.org.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Triterium, June 19
The Wisconsin Triterium Triathlon, set in Verona (just south of Madison), offers both sprint and Olympic distances. Verona first gained national attention in the triathlon community when the Ironman Wisconsin
passed through the area in 2002.
The sprint includes a 400-meters swim, 10.5-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run. The Olympic distance consists of a 1,500-meter swim, 24.9-mile bike and 6.2-mile run.
See www.enduranceperformance.com for more information.
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MINOCQUA FAT TIRE RACES NOW POINT-TO-POINT
Minocqua, Wisconsin The 2005 Minocqua Fat Tire Race, set for May 21, will be a point-to-point race starting in downtown Minocqua and finishing at Minocqua Winter Park. This is a departure from the looped course used in previous years, according to race director Bob Dallapiazza.
The 15-mile and 23-mile races will be run on paved and gravel roads, fire lanes and rolling ski trail terrain. The cost is $25 per race.
The fees are cheaper for younger participants. For children under 10 participating in the 1.5-mile race, the cost is $5. A 4-mile race for juniors is $10.
There is also a 15-mile touring division for those just out to enjoy the trail and scenic Lakeland area.
The events start at 10 a.m. at Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua.
Also new this year are team trophies for the winners of the races. In addition, awards will be given to the
top three places in each age group. All children will be recognized with T-shirts and awards and other prizes will be given away at the awards ceremony.
For more information, check out the Web site www.skimwp.org; call Minocqua Winter Park at 715/
356-3309 or Dallapiazza at 715/356-9245; e-mail mskibob@centurytel.net; or write to him at P.O. Box 36, Minocqua, WI 54548.
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CHICAGO BIKE THE DRIVE MAY 29
One of more than 125 events promoting health in the Windy City
The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's fourth annual Bike The Drive is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 29.
That day, Chicago's Lake Shore Drive is closed to motor vehicles and open to bicycles. Take this annual opportunity to ride with thousands of others breathing fresh air instead of exhaust and soaking up the
stunning views of the Windy City.
The event offers a 15- and 30-mile noncompetitive tour. All ages and skill levels are welcome. New for 2005: Kids under 12 ride for $5 with a paid adult.
Event information and registration details are available online at www.BikeTheDrive.org. Contact Anne Davis at anned@biketraffic.org for more information.
Bike the Drive is also part of Bike Chicago, more than 125 scheduled events promoting the health,
economic and environmental benefits of bicycling during May June and July including Bike to Work Day, July 17.
For a link to a list of Bike Chicago events, go to www.BikeTheDrive.org.
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U.P. HOSTS THREE-DAY BIRDING FESTIVAL
Munising, Michigan With the vernal equinox just around the corner, organizers of the third annual Birding By the Bay in Munising are encouraging birders to "think spring." The weekend event, May 20-22, will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day by offering birding and nature recreation field trips, speakers and
other events for bird lovers of all ages.
The festival will feature birding field trips into Upper Peninsula Michigan's scenic public lands, including
Grand Island National Recreation Area, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Seney National Wildlife Refuge and Hiawatha National Forest. Species of special interest in the area include Kirtland's and other
warblers, peregrine falcon, piping plover, sharp-tail grouse and boreal chickadee.
Participants may select field trips that combine their passion for birding and sea kayaking in Lake Superior,
canoeing an inland river, exploring the Grand Island National Recreation Area, viewing lighthouses, hiking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and touring the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
To register for Birding By the Bay, go to the festival's Web site http://midwest.fws.gov/seney/IMBD.htm or call the Alger Chamber of Commerce at 906/387-2138.
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MIDWESTERNERS DO WELL AT NATIONAL SNOWSHOE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Midwestern snowshoe racers faired well at the Nike ACG U.S. National Snowshoe Championships held in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 5-6.
Cindy Brochman of Minnesota took fifth place in the open women's 10K, Mike Decker of Michigan took fifth in the open men's 10K. Brochman and Decker, due to their performances, are now members of the national team.
Victor Vilar of Wisconsin took 10th in the open men's 10K and third in his age group. Other Midwest competitors included Jim McDonnell, Jim Graupner and Bob Durband of Minnesota, James Holloway of
Michigan, and Mike Most of Wisconsin.
This event, conducted by the U.S. Snowshoe Association and sponsored by Nike ACG, attracted
qualifying snowshoe racers from five regions: North Eastern, North Central, Rocky Mountain, Western and Alaskan.
The competition included 76 snowshoers hailing from 17 states. Alaska had the greatest number of
participants (17), followed by Colorado (13) and New York (11). Minnesota had four racers, Michigan two and Wisconsin two.
Midwestern racers qualified for the nationals at one of two North Central regional qualifying racing events: the Bigfoot Snowshoe Boogie held January 29 in Traverse City, Michigan, or the New World Snowshoe
Championships on February 12 in Luck, Wisconsin.
For a complete list of the U.S. National Snowshoe Championship results, go to www.snowshoeracing.com.
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MINNESOTA DNR RECLASSIFIES FIRST TWO STATE FORESTS FOR OHV USE
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has reclassified two state forests in regard to their use by off-highway vehicle (OHV) operators.
Effective July 1, the Pillsbury State Forest in Cass County west of Brainerd will be classified as "closed" to OHV use. The nearby Foot Hills State Forest will be classified as "limited" for OHV operation effective
December 31.
The two forests are the first to be reclassified under 2003 legislation requiring the DNR to evaluate 54 state
forests and determine how to balance motorized and nonmotorized recreation and access with the conservation of natural resources.
Under the "closed" classification, no use of OHVs is allowed, although vehicles licensed for operation on
public highways are allowed on forest roads and minimum maintenance roads. Forests classified as "limited"
restrict OHV use to forest roads and trails where signs specifically indicate that a particular type of OHV is allowed.
OHVs include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles or "dirt bikes," and off-road vehicles such as Jeep CJs and four-wheel-drive trucks.
The Foot Hills and Pillsbury state forest plans were developed by a team of local DNR staff working closely
with officials from Cass County. County lands within the boundaries of the two state forests will be subject to the same rules governing motorized use as adjacent state lands.
The 2003 OHV legislation mandating forest reclassification arose in response to the growing popularity of OHVs amid public concerns that unmanaged use on state lands would negatively impact natural resources
and cause conflicts with nonmotorized recreation. By designating a system of managed trails, officials believe the potential for such problems will be minimized.
The process to evaluate all state forests for OHV use is expected to take until the end of 2008. Criteria used to decide where OHV use is appropriate include the potential for damage to vegetation, wildlife,
wetlands and other sensitive natural resources; existing motorized use patterns within a forest; and the proximity of other motorized and nonmotorized recreational opportunities.
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FOND DU LAC WOMAN SETS 200M U.S. RECORD IN HER 80s
At the Wisconsin USATF Indoor Champ-ionships at Carthage College in Kenosha on February 13, Carol Peebles of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, set a new U.S. record in the 200-meter dash (56.87 seconds) in the Masters Division, age 80-84.
The previous record of 57.61 was set in 1996. Carol also placed first is the 400-meter race with a time of 2:17.80.
In 2004, Peebles claimed the World and U.S. record at 400 meters in a time of 2:15.67, but her time at 200 meters was 59.59.
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ROUTE SET FOR JUNE 'BIKE NORTHWOODS TOUR'
The 2005 Bike Northwoods Tour, June 18-24, will start in Wautoma, Wisconsin, and will overnight in Stevens Point, Auburndale, Rib Lake, Park Falls, Mellen before finishing in Washburn.
This week-long cycling event, organized by Two Bicycles and a Map, Ltd., is in its 7th year.
The tour is fully supported too. A new tour transportationschedule has been designed to help accommodate a cyclist's busy life.
For more information, call tour co-director Eric Schramm at 608/244-6598, e-mail info@bikenorthwoods.com or visit www.bikenorthwoods.com.
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TOP 100 BICYCLE RETAILERS INCLUDE 11 IN MIDWEST
A panel of leading bicycle manufacturers recently released its list of Top 100 Best Bicycle Retailers in the country. Included are 11 retailers in the upper Midwest.
International Cycle Works congratulated the select group of specialty bicycle retailers "for distinguishing themselves as the best among their peers."
The top 100 were selected from some 5,300 bicycle retailers. Sales representatives from six of the leading
bicycle brands and six of the leading accessory brands voted for the leading retailers in their territories on based on market share, community outreach and store appearance.
The Midwest retailers in the top 100 include, in alphabetical order: Brick Wheels, Traverse City, Mich.; Breakaway Bicycles, Muskegon, Mich.; Durst Cycle Co., Urbana, Ill.; Erik's Bike Shop. Bloomington,
Minn.; Kozy's Cyclery & Fitness, Chicago, Ill.; Penn Cycle, Bloomington, Minn.; Spokes, Wheaton, Ill.; Turin Bicycle, Evanston, Ill.; Velocity Cycles, Holland, Mich.; Village Cyclesport, Elk Grove Village, Ill.;
and Wheel & Sprocket, Hales Corners, Wis.
A complete list of the Top 100 Bicycle Retailers can be found at www.bicycleresearch.com/top100.
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FIRST SUPERIOR VISTAS BIKE TOUR, JUNE 25
Washburn, Wisconsin The first Superior Vistas Bike Tour on June 25 will give bicyclists views of Lake Superior along paved roads, rolling hills and past farmland, forest and lakes.
This is a ride not a race fully supported with route map, support vehicles and food and beverage stops on the 13-, 19-, 36-, 52- and 68-mile loops.
Preregistration is recommended, as the ride will be limited to 300 participants.
Registration received by May 15 is $20 for individuals, and $45 for families with dependent children.
All proceeds will be donated to the Washburn Parent-Teacher Association and the Friends of Valhalla Ski Club.
For a brochure or more information contact ashchamb@centurytel.net or call 800/284-9484.
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2005 RAGBRAI WILL BE ONE OF FLATTEST EVER
This summer the RAGBRAI XXXIII bike tour will take a northern route across Iowa. The Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, July 24-30, will start in Le Mars, the Ice Cream Capital of the World, and end a week later at the Mississippi River in Guttenberg.
Riders will enjoy visits to the host towns of Sheldon, Estherville, Algona, Northwood, Cresco and West Union along the way. Le Mars and Northwood have been pass-through towns but neither has hosted an
overnight stop of RAGBRAI.
Five of the seven days of the 2005 RAGBRAI will feature relatively easy terrain. The final two days include some big ups and downs as the ride heads into the Mississippi bluff lands.
After years of proving to newcomers that Iowa isn't as flat as they think it is, this will be a RAGBRAI that's an exception to the rule. It's flatter than most and will feature:
The fifth fewest feet of climbing of any RAGBRAI.
A tie for the 16th fewest miles, at 485.
Overall the fifth easiest ride, judged by the combination of miles and climb.
And for all the whiners who complained about a few little stretches of gravel last year (just because it happened to rain on a gravel day), the 2005 route has no gravel (barring last-minute route changes).
How to register
The application deadline is April 1. Results of a lottery to select 8,500 riders for the week will be available
May 1. (RAGBRAI has been able to accept everyone in the lottery since 1998, but there are no guarantees.) Daily passes will remain available after the April 1.
The cost is $110 for riders and $35 for nonriders for the full week. Up to three daily passes may be obtained for $25 per day for riders and $15 for nonriders. A vehicle pass is $30.
For more information, call 800/474-3342; visit www.RAGBRAI.org; e-mail info@ragbrai.org; or write the RAGBRAI office at P.O. Box 622, Des Moines, Iowa 50303-0622.
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INAUGURAL CALLIE ROHR MEMORIAL CANOE RACE, JUNE 18-19
Callie Rohr loved to canoe. Her summers were spent in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Since the age of 7 she wanted to solo paddle a canoe on the headwaters of the Wisconsin River.
But on February 17, 1997, 7-year-old Callie was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her life and the lives of all her family changed dramatically from that day forward. For two and a half years, Callie endured multiple
surgeries, radiation and rehabilitation therapies. On July 15, 2000 five days before her 10th birthday Callie
lost her battle and went to heaven. She remains an inspiration to all who knew her, for she truly believed there would be a cure.
It is because of her never-ending spirit, inspiration, courage and belief in a cure that Rohr's Wilderness Tours is sponsoring the Callie Rohr Memorial Canoe Race to benefit the American Brain Tumor Association.
Each year more than 40,000 adults and 3,000 children will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor. Brain tumors are second to leukemia as the No. 1 medical killer of children under the age of 20.
This disease does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime. It attacks all ages, races and classes. There are few more devastating phrases to hear about a loved one than, "We've found a brain
tumor."
The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) exists to eliminate brain tumors through research and to meet the needs of brain tumor patients and their families.
You can be a part of this benefit canoe race and help to make Callie's belief in a cure become a reality for
all those who continue to fight for survival. It's a battle no one, especially not a child, should have to endure.
Canoe race details
This 26-mile, two-day canoe race on the Wisconsin River will surely prove exciting and challenging. The first day will start from the RWT landing and travel downriver 12 miles to the landing at River Road. The
next day the race will continue from River Road for another 14 miles to the Eagle River Inn in Eagle River.
The pro racers will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday from RWT with all racers timed to end on Sunday afternoon
around the same time, which should make for an exciting finish. Racers will be divided into several classes with trophies and prizes awarded to the winners.
The classes are designed to make the race as fair and fun as possible. Pro class: C2 (USCA and pro specs); C1 (USCA specs), and Kayak (unlimited). Hybrid Tandem Class: boats with less than 33 inches at
4-inch waterline (no pro boats). Recreation Class: No racing boats or tandem canoes with less than 33 inches at 4-inch waterline.
Participants may enter in any of several categories: men's tandem canoe, women's tandem canoe, mixed tandem canoe (a man and woman), adult-child tandem canoe (children 12 or older), mature adult tandem
canoe (over 50), solo canoe (no racing canoe), solo kayak or tandem kayak (no racing kayaks). Teams of four canoes (two paddlers per canoe) will also be allowed.
Before May 15, the cost for amateurs is $15 per person, $20 for pros, $15 per team plus $15 per team member. Registrations received after May 15 will cost an additional $10. On race day, add $15.
A limited number of canoes and kayaks will be available for rent from Rohr's Wilderness Tours. Rental of tandem canoe or double kayaks ($70) and single kayaks ($60) will include gear and shuttle service each
day. For others shuttle service will be available for $10.
Spectators are welcome at Rohr's Wilderness Tours, River Road, and at the Eagle River Inn where there will be a pig roast and the awards ceremony.
For registration information, regulations and schedule, got to www.rwtcanoe.com/canoerace.htm or call Rohr's Wilderness Tours at 715/547-3639.
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NEW MIDWEST WEB SITES FOR ADVENTURE RACERS AND MARATHON RUNNERS
by Joel Patenaude
You won't be hearing it here first, but the Internet is a growing source of information of interest to silent sports enthusiasts. What follows are two new Web sites that recently came to our attention.
SOAR-Adventures.com
Earlier this year a new Web site dedicated to adventure racing in the Midwest appeared. SOAR-Adventures.com includes links to articles for beginning adventure racers, a discussion board and
details of the SOAR 8-Hour Adventure Challenge in Indianola, Iowa, on July 16.
The Web site grew out of an appreciation for the guidance received last year by Team
SOAR-Adventures.com from more experienced adventure racers. Team SOAR competed in six events in 2004, its first AR season.
"Through it all, we were amazed at how several teams took us under their wings and tried to help us," SOAR team member Ryan Duppong said. "We were in awe that teams would take time before the start of
a race to help out some rookies. Seeing this sportsmanship being displayed really hit home with us and helped us grow as a team."
In turn, SOAR team members found themselves helping other teams before races and out on the courses. This led to the January launch of the Web site as a resources for others, an initiative to create a training
course in the Des Moines area as well as organize a race this summer.
"We went out and started the Web site with the goal to have links to races in the Midwest, racing articles,
post our training days for other racers to see, have a forum where people can ask questions, as well as have
a site for the race," Duppong said. "If people have information they want to share on the Web with others, they can send it to us and we will try to put links up or have an article about it."
Duppong said the site will focus on adventure racing. Nevertheless, the team is willing to list "good training events" such as trail runs and mountain bike races.
The decision to organize the SOAR 8-Hour Adventure Challenge was also the result of assisting others interested in the multidiscipline sport.
Last year, Duppong said, "We set up mini adventure racing courses for our team to train on. So in November, we opened up one of our team training sessions to the public. This is where we mentioned
possibly doing a race in the area since (other racers who came to train) liked our training course so much. We sat down and did some research which led to the creation of the SOAR 8-Hour Adventure Challenge."
The July 16 event, to be held 15 miles south of Des Moines, may be the first adventure race to be held in
central Iowa. Duppong said it will challenge beginner and intermediate teams by requiring them to hike, run mountain bike (on gravel roads and single track), paddle, orienteer and complete other surprise activities.
"However," Duppong added, "with the Extreme Heart Challenge in Sioux City, Nebraska, two weeks after our race, more advanced racers might want to consider this race to be a warm-up event."
Registration for the SOAR 8-Hour Adventure Challenge before April 15 is $60 per person, $65 by June 15 and $70 thereafter. All proceeds will go toward the creation of a permanent orienteering course at Lake
Ahquabi State Park.
"The $60 entry fee is the lowest amount we have seen for an eight-hour race," Duppong said. "At the same
time, we are trying to keep the mandatory gear to a minimum so racers don't have to spend $300 on their first race."
For more information, go to www.soar-adventures.com or e-mail info@soar-adventures.com.
MarathonPlanet.com
In April 2004, Chris Ponteri formed Longrun Athletics LLC. The following January he launched the Web site www.MarathonPlanet.com.
The nascent online store for marathon running-related products is operated out of Ponteri's home in Wind Lake near Waterford, Wisconsin.
"I came up with the idea of the Web site because there was no central place on the Internet for marathon
runners to find products, especially gifts, that are geared to them," Ponteri said. "And since online shopping
and marathon running are both growing in popularity, I felt now was a good time to get the site started."
Ponteri started out selling advertising on the site for actual retailers. But in March he opened the Marathon Planet Bookstore to offer marathon-related books directly to customers. The business will collect a
percentage of every book sold.
A nine-year resident of Wind Lake with a communications degree and a master's in business administration
from Marquette University, Ponteri has run three marathons twice finishing the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.
Ponteri's Wisconsin roots aside, his Web site is geared for marathon runners everywhere.
For more information, got to www.MarathonPlanet.com.
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