Transamerica Chicago Triathlon

There’s no other ride like this.

Official Program

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016

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Official Program August 28, 2016

Welcome to Tri-Town

Make no mistake, the Second City may be the nation’s third largest city, but Chicago stands proudly as the epicenter of the multisport movement.

Since 1983, the Chicago Triathlon has welcomed more than 250,000 participants across the finish line. By our count, 40 percent of these finishers were first-timers, earning the coveted title of “triathlete.” In 2016, we plan to add more than 2,500 newbies to that count.

Southern California may have invented our sport, but Chi-Town really is Tri-Town. Beyond the event’s history and behind the huge numbers lies the answer to the question: “Why Chicago?”

History indicates the sport was born in 1974 as a cross-training opportunity within the San Diego Track Club. The first event featured 40 individuals who ran a 10k, then biked 8k and later swam 500 meters in the dark using car headlights. The idea caught fire, and soon morphed into organized events.

John and Judy Collins, both participants in the original SDTC event, went on to create the Ironman in 1978 - combining three Hawaii endurance races into one competition. In 1982, ABC’s Wide World of Sports televised Julie Moss as she collapsed and crawled across the Ironman finish line – captivating the world and inspiring millions of viewers.

That same year, our governing body (U.S. Triathlon Association) was born, as was the first known race series (U.S. Triathlon Series). In 1983, Chicagoan Jan Caille partnered with the USTS on an opportunity to expand the tri series beyond the west coast. Although permits weren’t secured until the last minute, the event went off without a hitch. Locals fell in love.

By 1984, the Chicago Triathlon grew beyond 2,000 participants, claiming (and retaining) the title as “World’s Largest Triathlon.” Chicagoans were hooked on the multisport challenge, solidified by the realization that our lakefront landscape provides the ultimate training grounds for our sport. Ohio Street Beach, coupled with the 18 miles of cycling and running trails, allows athletes of all abilities and interest levels to safely enter into triathlon.

Thirty two years later, we haven’t stopped. While the participant counts, venue locations and race courses may have changed over the years, this city’s love for triathlon has never waivered.

Last year we hosted the World Championships. There’s an honorary street named after this event. Our Mayor is an accomplished triathlete. Chi-Town is Tri-Town.

As you journey through the Expo this weekend, as you rack your bike in Transition and as you toe the line at the Swim Start, know that you are an integral part of a 34 year tradition in this city. Your commitment and dedication to this sport is what defines the grit and strength of this incredible city.

Here’s to an incredible weekend,

STAFF LIST

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Julie Coleman | Race Director Mary Beth Kunz | Regional Event Director Gloria Aguilera | Accounting Manager Dan Lakin | Marketing Manager Jose Rangel | Production Manager

ChicagoTriathlon.com

New Saturday Race Schedule

In order to alleviate wait times and congestion, Saturday’s Kids Tri event will begin first at 7:00 a.m. at Foster Beach, followed by the SuperSprint race at 8:30 a.m.

Final Open Water Swim Clinic

Plan to attend the Open Water Swim Clinic finale, held Tuesday, August 23 at Ohio Street Beach. Beyond a clinic, the event offers an Aquathlon (swim and 5K run), will attract nearly 1,000 athletes and offers a beachfront Course Talk. Space is limited, participants must RSVP.

Mandatory Course Talks

Prior to picking-up packets, all participants must attend a 30-minute course talk at the Expo. Participants may RSVP online in advance.

Optional Saturday Racking

Sunday competitors have the opportunity to check their bikes into the DuSable Harbor Transition area on Saturday afternoon, between 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Only bikes may be dropped early, no bags.

Regional Paratriathlon Championship

The Chicago Triathlon is proud host the Mideast Region’s Paratriathlon championship. Athletes will compete to earn a spot at the 2017 Paratriathlon National Championships. Many of the athletes have already qualified for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

Big Ring Bike Support Crew

Twenty roving bike mechanics will patrol Sunday’s bike course to ensure safety, fix flats and aid athletes with any mechanical problems throughout the day.

Trolley Service David Rosenbrock | Charity/Team Coordinator Yasamin Sabeti | Hospitality & Volunteer Coordinator Tim Brazel | Regional Sales Manager Scott “Hootie” Hutmacher | Life Time Tri Brand Manager

Complimentary shuttle rides for participants and spectators getting from the Transition area to the Finish Line and back. Chicago trolleys will run nonstop loops throughout Race Day.

Participant Numbers at a Glance April Untitled 1

May Untitled 2

June

Untitled 3 SuperSprint

July

August

September

April

May

June

5 to 9 Sprint

None

10+

July

August

September

None

3 to 4

2

18 Number of Countries Represented

Ironman International Half Ironman

1

Longest Triathlon Completed to Date

Previous Chicago Triathlons Completed

Sunday Participants, at Time of Registration

9,200

Total Number of Participants

Sunday Participants

38

Median Age

10

Median Age for Kids Tri

56%

46 Number of States Represented

Male

44 %

49%

Female

Individual Race Composition

Special Programs/Divisions

Kids Tri.

SuperSprint

Sprint

International

Chicago Residents

Life Time Tri Destination Events South Beach Triathlon Miami Beach, Florida April 2, 2017 Registration now open!

Boulder Peak Triathlon Boulder, Colorado July 9, 2017 Registration now open!

Panasonic New York City Triathlon New York, New York July 16, 2017 Lottery opens November 1!

ChicagoTriathlon.com

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Official Program August 28, 2016

Race Week Schedule * ALL DATES/TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Monday, Aug. 22

Saturday, Aug. 27

10:00 a.m.

5:30 a.m.

Transition Open – Foster Beach

8:00 a.m.

Life Time Kids Tri Chicago Race Start (Seniors) – Foster Beach

Athlete Guide/Wave Starts Distributed

Tuesday, Aug. 23 6:00 p.m.

Final Open Water Swim Clinic & Aquathlon— Ohio St. Beach

7:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Friday, Aug. 26 1:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

Life Time Kids Tri Chicago Race Start (Juniors) – Foster Beach

Chicago Triathlon Multisport & Fitness Expo Open – Chicago Hilton Chicago Triathlon SuperSprint Race Start – Foster Beach

Transition Open – DuSable Harbor

Chicago Triathlon Multisport & Fitness Expo Open—Chicago Hilton

Sunday, Aug. 28 Get the Race App

Spectators are encouraged to download this all-inclusive information depository. Users can explore schedules, view maps, track athletes, search results, communicate with fellow users, share photos and more. Download the free Life Time Athletic Events App from the Apple Store or Google Play.

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ChicagoTriathlon.com

4:00 a.m.

Transition Open – DuSable Harbor

7:30 a.m.

Finish Festival Open – Finish Area

6:00 a.m.

8:30 a.m. est 3:00 p.m.

International Race Start — Lake Shore Drive at Balbo Drive Sprint Race Start – Lake Shore Drive at Balbo Drive

Finish Festival Closes, Trolley Service ends

Race Weekend Events

Chicago Triathlon Multisport and Fitness Expo Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan

The Multisport & Fitness Expo, one of the best in the industry, is the site of packet pickup and course talks for the Transamerica Chicago Triathlon, SuperSprint and Life Time Kids Tri races. All Sunday participants (including all relay members) are required to attend. More than 150 exhibitors offer the latest and finest in swimming, cycling, running gear and more. The event is free and open to the public.

Chicago Triathlon Supersprint

Saturday, Aug. 27 Foster Beach, 9:30 a.m.

A beginner’s triathlon for anyone 15 years and older, it includes a 375-meter swim, 10K bike and 2.5K run. This year’s race Wave, integrating 100 of Chicago’s again includes the famous blue commuter bikes.

Transamerica Chicago Triathlon

Sunday, Aug. 28

Life Time Kids Tri Chicago

Saturday, Aug. 27 Foster Beach, 7:00 a.m.

The kids triathlon is one the largest events of its kind in the U.S., featuring 1,200 aspiring triathletes. The Life Time Kids Tri Chicago is the perfect launching pad for youth, ages 7-14, to break into the sport.

The Sprint and International distance races take place in and around Grant Park, with the swim at Monroe Harbor and a finish at Columbus Drive and Balbo Drive.

Transamerica Live Athlete Tracker

Use the Transamerica Athlete Tracking during the race to track participants as they cross various course checkpoints. The tracking features an interactive map, live streams from official timing pads, estimated arrival times and more. Live tracking is included with the Race App and at racemyrace.com/chicagotri

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COURSE MAP KEY

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F Official A Program 19 August 28, 2016

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Finish Line

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Aid Station Mileage

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

BIKE COURSE

N Broadway

Big Ring Transition Area

Street Level

Course Alert

Lowest Level

Intermediate Level

Transamerica Trolley Drop Off & Pick Up Mobile Big Ring Bike Support Team

Hollywood Ave

18 Intermediate Wacker Dr

Foster Ave

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Sprint Athletes exit on Randolph St.

Randolph St

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way road NB

Adams St Jackson Blvd

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Michigan Ave

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HILTON CHICAGO

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23 Roosevelt Rd

SHEDD AQUARIUM FIELD MUSEUM

ADLER PLANETARIUM

North Ave SOLDIER FIELD

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Waldron Dr

Chicago Ave

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E 18th St

DETAIL DETA T IL - See TA ee Right Righ Rig ight

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Martin Luther King Dr

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Congress Pkwy

Sprint Turnaround

Lake

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Chicago Ave

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Soldier Field Waldron Dr 18th St

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McCormick Place McC M

31st International Turnaround

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S State St

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2016 COURSE MAP

COURSE DETAIL

COURSE OVERVIEW

Wabash Ave

W Devon Ave

SWIM COURSE

Start

Race Day Spectating

The Transamerica Chicago Triathlon is the world’s largest multisport event. Just as all athletes should properly prepare for the enormity of race day, so should spectators. It’s not uncommon for many to show-up without a plan and become overwhelmed.

A few tips to help the Sunday race viewing experience: • Know exactly what time your athlete starts the swim, and set a meeting point and time to say your goodbyes!

• Plan your logistics, both into Grant Park and throughout the race venue.

Public transit, parking garages, cabs and/or Divvy bikes are all great options – assuming you know which roads remain open to the public. Don’t forget about the free Transamerica Chicago Trolleys that circle Grant Park.

• Learn your athlete’s estimated time to reach specific parts of the course, especially at spectator-friendly spots.

• Know what your athlete will be wearing, to easily spot them on the fly.

• Regardless of where you spectate, remember that triathlon is an individual sport.

Unlike the marathon, where handing-off a jacket is common, triathletes can be penalized for outside assistance. This creates unfair advantages in our sport.

Where to Watch

Regardless of the event’s size, the Chicago Tri happens to be one of the most spectator-friendly races on earth, beginning with the unique swim course set in Monroe Harbor.

SWIM: The Swim Course spans the entire lakefront path. Families can kiss each other goodbye as athletes jump in the water, then be no further than 25 yards from them through the duration.

BIKE: The Bike Course is a bit tougher to spectate, considering the inaccessibility of Lake Shore Drive. Sprint athletes can easily be spotted at the Bike In/Out area at the Randolph Circle Drive, and on the North Avenue pedestrian bridge. For International athletes, the best vantage point is atop the 11th Street Pedestrian bridge, overlooking the McCormick Place Busway. Athletes will fly underneath twice, within 5-10 minutes, before venturing on the lakefront Run Course.

RUN: The best spot to view runners is in the Museum Campus, specifically in back of the Field Museum. This is a great spot to photograph your athletes, capturing both the skyline and converging groups of runners in the background. This area is eloquently referred to as the “spaghetti bowl” and is an easy walk back to the Finish Line, only a few hundred yards away on Columbus.

Unique Competitions

While the Chicago Triathlon may be the world’s largest, what makes it special is the amount of boutique programs and special competitions.

Popular programs include: Wave

The sold out program integrates 100 Divvy bikes to Saturday’s SuperSprint race. Although the program was built for new athletes looking to dabble in the sport, nearly half of this year’s participants are speedy veterans looking to test their own mettle.

Triple Challenge

175 participants will compete in the unique 59 mile Triple Challenge, which sold out in record time. Participants will race all three distances throughout the weekend, starting with Saturday’s SuperSprint race.

First-Timers’ Program

In its second year, the Live Grit First-Timers’ Program has grown to 450 participants. Priority registration for the 2017 edition will open within the Multisport & Fitness Expo.

100 Club Challenge

This year we have revamped the First-Responders’ Competition. It has been renamed in honor of a new partnership with the 100 Club of Chicago. More than 200 firefighters, police, military and EMS personnel will test their endurance on race day.

Workday Executive Challenge

This year’s VIP program, sponsored by Workday, features more than 50 C-level athletes from around the world competing to earn accolades as the “world’s fastest executive.”

Visit www.ChicagoTriathlon.com to find out more info. about these unique competitions.

ChicagoTriathlon.com

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Official Program August 28, 2016

Dare2Tri brings Multisports to Disabled Athletes 8

ChicagoTriathlon.com

Four local athletes, with four different disabilities, credit their success stories to the same program By: Betsy Noxon | Photos by: Ali Engin

The first Paralympic Games took place following the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, allowing athletes with a range of physical disabilities to compete for their own chance at an Olympic title. Since then, the Paralympics has grown in popularity and participation, but this September will be the first Paralympic Triathlon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The debut event will feature a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and a five-kilometer run with three of the five classification divisions.

While this is the first universal competition for triathletes with disabilities, the Chicago group, Dare2Tri has been providing opportunities for people of all abilities to compete since 2011.

Founded by three and joined by many, “Dare2Tri serves youth, adults and injured service members who have a physical disability such as amputation, spinal cord injury, stroke, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and those with visual impairments and blindness,” its website states. With a goal of having a dedicated triathlon-training center in Chicago, Dare2Tri wants to help anyone who wants to be active achieve his or her goals.

From completely different walks of life, four local athletes tell their stories on how Dare2Tri jumpstarted their careers and passions.

ChicagoTriathlon.com

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Official Program August 28, 2016 The Beginning of the Future

It was a spring day in 2004 when, at 24, Melissa Stockwell found herself in a Baghdad hospital. Thankfully alive, Melissa suffered a severe leg injury. She was deployed in the Iraq war when a roadside bomb changed her life, resulting in an above the knee amputation of her left leg.

“At Walter Reed Army Medical Center, I was fit with a prosthetic leg and heard about the Paralympics. I wanted to be in the Olympics since I was a young gymnast and wear the USA uniform. I knew it would be a lot of hard work,” says Melissa.

With swimming as part of her rehabilitation, she trained diligently, and went onto qualify for the 2008 Paralympic swim team in Beijing, given the honor to carry the American flag in the closing ceremonies.

In 2009, Melissa tried a triathlon, and fell in love with multisport.

That same year, she met Keri Serota through a mutual friend, and together they signed up for a computrainer class. Dan Tun was in their first class, which was lead by current Head Coach of Dare2Tri, Stacee Seay.

“The people with Dare2Tri are passionate about what they do and it’s all about you achieving your goals yourself,” James said. “They care about you being a better athlete and a better person.”

Now 34, James is racing and training regularly. He competed in Leon’s triathlon, the ITU World’s tri in Chicago, and the Chicago Triathlon in 2015, where he finished first in the Para-wheelchair division. This year he’ll reunite with the Chicago Triathlon, while also competing at Nationals for the first time.

In preparation, he goes for five-hour bike rides, swims two to three times a week, and borrows a race push chair to simulate the run for one to two hours.

Keri and Dan, both able-bodied athletes, along with Melissa, saw the need for a triathlon program for the disabled in Chicago, and with a grant from the U.S. Paralympics, the three founded Dare2tri. Together they pursued triathlon-coaching certification, and launched Dare2Tri in 2011 for people with amputations, spinal cord injuries and visual impairment. In 2012 their goal was to train eight athletes, but exceeded their expectations and trained 20 athletes in just the first year.

“Triathlon has given me more focus and something to look forward to,” James says. “I like being able to move and do something while moving. It makes me feel good and proud.”

Today, the program has soared to over 300 athletes, including an elite team. Dare2Tri holds a three-day weekend training camp each spring in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., which helps first time athletes from around the country attend clinics, try equipment, swim in the lake and pool, learn tips on training and compete in a race on the final day.

Being visually impaired for 20 years, Alberto began attending Dare2Tri’s Tuesday night sessions in 2015, which was an hour of cardio and strength, followed by an hour in the pool. He struggled with the swim, but worked hard continuing to train twice a week.

Now at 36, Melissa has competed around the world in all triathlon distances, winning three World Championships. On July 8, she qualified to represent the United States in this year’s Olympic Games in Rio. As a wife and mother of a 2-year-old, Melissa continues to inspire not only athletes, but people of all ages and abilities around the world.

Opening Doors

Training equipment has been a key factor to 49-year-old Alberto Guzman’s entry onto the triathlon scene.

Through Dare2Tri, Alberto received a grant to purchase a bike trainer so he can ride inside his home. Now, he is able to ride, swim and run several times during the week, and most days Alberto does two-sport workouts. He’s proud to be a part of the Dare2Tri team, finding the experience personally rewarding.

James Veltri competed in track and football before joining the U.S. Navy in 2003. When he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he left the Navy on honorable medical retirement.

“Dare2Tri found the aspects of what prevents people with what’s needed to participate in this event. They help with access to equipment, resources and a network to guides,” Alberto says.

“They’ve opened the doors to a great community, and are all stimulating and supportive.”

While in college in Virginia in 2005, he was shot trying to break up a fight. Bullets braised the back of his head and his spine causing him to be paralyzed. He returned to Chicago to live with his mom, and suffered from depression.

Alberto now feels he’s the strongest and fittest he’s ever been, thanks to Dare2Tri. He is now on the Development Team, where he is considered an emerging Paratriathlete with high-level coaching and support skills to help others reach their personal goals.

Training Camp Inspiration

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Things turned around for James eight years later, when he decided to move to Milwaukee and he met his current girlfriend. One day, the two were visiting the Morten Arboretum and they ran into Coach Stacee, who said she “has a thing for guys in wheelchairs.” She encouraged him to come to the Dare2Tri camp and try a triathlon, and in 2015, he did, and was hooked.

ChicagoTriathlon.com

Despite having bursitis in his knees, Alberto competed in the Chicago Triathlon last year, where he decided he’d continue to pursue triathlons.

His current goal is to qualify for Nationals, where he’s a mere eight minutes away from the qualifying time.

On the Road to Rio

Hailey Danisewicz, a 25-year-old Chicagoan and Dare2Tri Elite athlete, is training for the Paralympics this fall, with sights on the gold.

At the age of 12, Hailey battled bone cancer in her left leg. Two years later, after chemotherapy and several surgeries, Hailey decided to have her leg amputated, but was limited prosthetically to what she could do. She skied and dabbled in tennis to try and stay fit, but wanted something more.

Having learned about the Dare2Tri program by doing an Internet search five years ago in college, Hailey has risen quickly onto the competitive paratriathlete scene. In 2011, she connected with Serota, who offered to take her on as a Dare2Tri program intern. Hailey happily accepted, with the understanding that she was to complete a triathlon at the end of the summer. Dare2Tri opened up her circle of support and introduced her to others with physical disabilities.

“Keri took away all excuses,” Hailey says. “She’s a passionate person and offered all types of opportunities.”

Hailey had Rio on her radar early on when she realized her times were competitive. She stayed focused on making Team USA and is now training full time for the Paralympic Games, swimming five days a week, biking five to six days, running four days, and strength training each week. Hours of recovery include ice baths, compression boots and massages, all critical to her training, as it’s important she starts each training session fresh.

As for others wanting to dip their toes into triathlon, Hailey says, “Triathlon is an intimidating prospect, but trust the process, trust yourself, go all in, don’t be afraid to do something that seems scary.

Once you step outside your comfort zone, great things can happen.”

(Conclusion) In conjunction with the Transamerica Chicago Triathlon, the 2016 USA Triathlon Mideast Regional Paratriathlon Championships will take place Aug. 28 in Chicago. Dare2Tri will not only have several athletes competing in this event, but also will be present as a support system and represent triathletes with disabilities everywhere.

Also in Chicago will be Dare2Tri’s second annual gala event, An Evening2Inspire, where all athletes with disabilities will be honored. The event will also celebrate the debut of the paratriathlon as a Paralympic sport at the 2016 Paralympic Games. All funds raised through the event will support Dare2Tri athletes and the community of paratriathlon.

Passion Adventure Dedication ChicagoTriathlon.com

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Official Program August 28, 2016

The 100 Club Challenge 12

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Honoring Our Fallen First Responders By: Chris Lewis | Photo by: Ali Engin

It all began as a friendly wager among seven members of the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Office of the FBI. But in less than 10 years—from its founding in 2007 up until 2015—the First Responders’ Competition hosted more than 1,000 participants from approximately 25 agencies across the United States.

In retrospect, the triathlon’s steady rise in turnout was not overly surprising. After all, it was hosted during the weekend of the Transamerica Chicago Triathlon, the world’s largest multisport event, which has hosted at least 250,000 triathletes since 1983. But the competition’s popularity caught the attention of Chicago-based organizations nonetheless.

Last year, Life Time Fitness (the producer of the Transamerica Chicago Triathlon) approached the 100 Club of Chicago, a non-profit organization that provides monetary resources for the surviving spouses and dependents of local law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The organization agreed to partner with Life Time Fitness and rename the First Responders’ Competition the 100 Club Challenge.

On Sunday, August 28—one day after the 50th anniversary of the 100 Club of Chicago—the first annual 100 Club Challenge will begin at Chicago’s Monroe Harbor.

Presently, the triathlon’s administrators are focused on generating more than $25,000 in direct contributions to the 100 Club of Chicago through public donations, as well as private fundraising efforts.

The funds will be provided specifically to widows and dependents of federal, state, county and local officers, firefighters and paramedics stationed in Cook and Lake Counties.

“When a first responder in Cook or Lake County is killed in the line of duty, the 100 Club of Chicago is at their home within 24 hours, giving the spouse or dependent the first of two checks totaling $50,000,” says Joe Ahern, CEO, 100 Club of Chicago. “There are no forms for them to fill out, no bureaucracy, no lines to stand in and no delay. It’s just our family—the 100 Club family—helping their family with their grief. And that’s just the beginning of our support.”

In addition to offering $50,000 to spouses or dependents, the 100 Club of Chicago also provides financial assistance to the first responders’ children so that they can complete their undergraduate, vocational education or graduate studies.

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Official Program August 28, 2016 “We are supporting 21 young adults in college right now and will have 67 more children who will have our support once they attend college,” Ahern adds. “We also have partnerships with 20 universities who have committed to providing scholarships to our kids if they choose to attend one of those higher education institutions.”

Trophies, Camaraderie and a Great Cause

Since 100 Club Challenge participants will vary in age and experience levels, they will have two different types of races to choose from on August 28: the International, which will begin at 6 a.m. CT, and the Sprint, which will begin at approximately 9 a.m. CT. The International race will feature a 1.5K swim course, a 40K bike course and a 10K run course, while the Sprint race will be much shorter—featuring a 750 meter swim course, a 24K bike course and a 5K run course.

The participants will also comprise two teams: Police, consisting of local, state and federal law enforcement, including all military personnel, as well as members of the CIA and FBI, and Fire, which will include local and regional firefighters, paramedics and auxiliary EMS personnel.

Upon the conclusion of the International and Sprint races, a winning team will be determined according to a points system. First, International participants will earn three points for their respective teams by simply finishing the race; Sprint participants, on the other hand, will earn two points. In addition, the top 20 finishers in the International and Sprint races will each earn points for their team. First-place finishers will earn 20 points, 2nd-place finishers 19 points and so forth.

First responders may also participate in a two- to three-person relay team competition (International race distance only). If they complete the Relay, they will earn one point for their respective team. The fastest 10 teams will also be awarded points—10 for 1st place, nine for 2nd place and so on. Once all of the points are tallied, the team with the most points—either the Police or the Fire team—will be announced as the winner.

The winning team will not only acquire the 100 Club Challenge trophy, but will also be presented a promotion check to the 100 Club on the team’s behalf. At the same time, each team’s top three performing males and females (in the International and Sprint races) will also receive an award, in addition to the top three overall fastest relay team.

Civilians, including 100 Club members, beneficiary families and non-active duty personnel, as well as the general public, are also welcomed to support the 100 Club of Chicago as an official charity team participant. All charity team participants may enroll in the 100 Club Challenge as an individual (for the International and Sprint races) or as a member of a two- to three-person relay team, again for International race distance only.

Comfort for Families in Need

Approximately 200 first responders, including fire and police personnel, Navy fighter pilots, U.S. Treasury agents and FBI 14

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agents, are expected to participate in the first annual 100 Club Challenge on August 28, 2016.

“Given the heavy integration of the police and fire departments, athletes and spectators will see a huge presence from both departments—including pomp and circumstance at the start of the event, fire boats on the water, police helicopter flyovers and honor guards,” says Scott “Hootie” Hutmacher, brand manager, Life Time Tri. “It will be memorable!”

For LaVar Merrell, a personal trainer at Chicago’s East Bank Club, the 100 Club Challenge will especially be memorable since it is his first-ever triathlon. Merrell is a recipient of the 100 Club of Chicago’s services, as his father, a long-time Chicago Fire Department veteran, died in the line of duty in 2000. Merrell was only 13 years old.

The 100 Club of Chicago helped Merrell’s family pay its funeral expenses, and also offered him financial assistance so that he could complete his college education. Since then, Merrell has remained in touch with the organization’s administration, as well as other recipients of its services.

“The 100 Club really brings the recipients together to create a family bond,” Merrell says. “I was able to find peers who lost loved ones and create a friendship with them.”

He adds, “In addition, the 100 Club’s administration members have become friends of mine whom could never be replaced. I have been to various events for the organization and spoken to non-members about how helpful the 100 Club has been in my educational and personal life.”

Michelle Coon, an assistant fire chief for the Country Club Hills Fire Department, has also never participated in a triathlon. However, she is interested in participating in the 100 Club Challenge, as she believes in its primary mission.

“The 100 Club alleviates one component of an already overwhelming time, and it helps families realize they can still have a future,” Coon says. “There is comfort in knowing this valuable resource is available for people in need.”

Mark Krizik, a member of the Posen Fire Department since 1984, will also be participating in the 100 Club Challenge. Krizik has extensive triathlon experience, as he has competed in nine Transamerica Chicago Triathlons. He first learned about the 100 Club of Chicago through his brother, Bryant, a deputy fire chief in South Holland, Ill. “I’m a big believer of what the 100 Club does to support the families of fallen firefighters and police officers,” Krizik says. “Also, it will be neat to have a little spirited competition at the 100 Club Challenge to see who ‘officially’ comes out on top—the cops or the firefighters.”

To support the 100 Club of Chicago by donating or becoming a member, visit www.100clubchicago.org.

15Years JANUARY 29, 2O17 AWARD WINNING COURSE AWA R D W I N N I N G M E DA L WORLD RENOWNED EVENT

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