EVENTS- TRYCHARLESTON TRIATHLON

While most of us find a daily run, jog, or walk to be a sufficient amount of exercise, there is a section of our society that takes the daily routine one step further. These "triathletes" train on land, in water, and on bike, preparing for the half and full iron events in which they participate. While these athletes and events are present in many parts of the country, Charleston, SC, is new to the triathlon stage.

In its second year, the TryCharleston Triathlon is introducing the sport to the area. Race director Diane Fox hopes to draw between 1200 to 1500 active participants of all types, who are willing to do what it takes to reach the finish line on race day. The event is a USA Triathlon certified race; the USAT is the governing body for these events, with a membership of around 130,000 individuals of all ages. Fox is excited to bring the event to the area and says she is “attracted to the growing triathlon world in Charleston.” Native to Charleston, Fox and her brother used to put on bicycle events. Year after year, they realized the need for a longer triathlon event in the area. “We saw it as the perfect opportunity to bring a bigger event to Charleston,” said Fox. “We did our research and found a production company called Set Up Events, and that’s how everything started.”

The 2^nd Annual TryCharleston will be held on April 30^th, 2011. The main event, the Half Iron Distance, begins at the KOA Campgrounds, and ends in Active Park, Mount Pleasant. Two divisions make up the event, as the Half Iron is followed thirty minutes later by the start of the Sprint Division. Half Iron races include a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run, while the Sprint race includes a 500 meter swim, 20 km bike ride and 5 km run.

Thirty- year- old Thomas Clarke is a repeat TryCharleston Half Iron participant. In the event’s inaugural race, the husband, and owner of two much loved dogs, placed second in the 25- 29 age group. Clarke is not a stranger to the triathlon stage. In addition to placing at the TryCharleston, Clarke qualified for, and competed in, the Foster Grant Half Ironman World Championship in Clearwater, Florida. He also placed fourth in his age group (38^th overall) in the Assault on Mt. Mitchell Triathlon event. While he enjoys these larger competitions, he finds the TryCharleston race to be a very special one. “I love that it is a local event; it is great having a Half Ironman in Charleston. Set Up Events does a great job putting on this race, and Diane and Charles Fox have done a great job with the course and marketing for the event,” Clarke commented.

Not only Charleston residents participate in the event. Last year’s TryCharleston saw competitors from 22 states and one foreign country (England). And Clarke only represents the median age range for the event. Last year, the youngest participant was just ten- years- old! While the event’s sprint division caters to the younger crowd, the half iron sees many middle to older aged participants. Sixty- five- year- old Anne Boone, will also be a repeat competitor on April 30^th. This retired ostrich farmer and mother of two has been running and participating in triathlons for 33 years. After an eight year break from sports, Boone realized how much she missed them in her life. “I was running a big ostrich farm.  It was not a good time in my life and I now realize that endurance sports, training and racing, are what make me happy. I plan to continue running, and probably triathloning, until I die!” Anne said. She enters almost all of the triathlons in the area. In 2010, Boone completed ten, including a full Ironman in Florida. Except for two races, she has placed in every one. She remembers a time when she was inspired to live life to the fullest and become who she is today:

“Twenty- seven years ago I was on a bike ride, training with a friend for a half Ironman.  He had a terrible accident and was permanently paralyzed from the neck down.  That same week I found that I had breast cancer. We were both in the hospital at the same time. He lived for a year after the accident, and I spent a lot of time with him.  I used to push him in his wheelchair for hours around Charleston. The whole experience was terribly tragic.  It made me realize how fragile and fleeting good health and happiness can be. Life should be lived to the fullest and never wasted.”

Anne Boone finishes a race in Augusta 

So how do athletes like Clarke and Boone prepare for these intense competitions? With busy schedules in other areas of their lives, individuals must follow strict training routines. As a financial advisor for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, as well as an indoor cycling instructor at Eco Fitness, Clarke must work hard to fit training into his schedule. Each day begins with a 5:15 am wake up call, followed by a workout before work. “My training program is built around repetition and consistency,” said Clarke. “I pretty much train seven days a week.” He fits his second workout in during his lunch break, which allows him to be free to work late if necessary, do things around the house and “most importantly spend time with [his] wife.” He believes in finding a good balance between his activities, making equal time for training, family and work. Boone agrees that consistency is the key to training. “I do some kind of exercise (bike, run, swim) every day. If I don’t, I feel dissatisfied and a little depressed,” she explained. She is currently training about 13 hours per week, however, training time will be increased to 18 hours per week when she begins to prepare for a full Ironman later this summer. She went on to talk about her diet stating that she “eat[s] a very healthy diet, but probably too many sweets. I don’t drink or smoke, and try to take as few medical supplements (aspirin, etc.) as possible.”

For those unsure of how to begin training, TryCharleston offers a triathlon training program. While the program is mainly available to local competitors, Trysports in Charleston promises to “prepare you to do any triathlon, any where, and distance.” Athletes may choose between a 15-week full program and Tuesday night clinic sessions, and will pay either $299 per person or $49.99 per person, respectively.

While the race is a great workout, these hard working athletes are also competing for a cause. Through the race, TryCharleston is determined to raise funds for charity each year, while fostering community involvement and volunteerism. The 1^st Annual TryCharleston race raised $3,500 for the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy. This year’s race will benefit the same foundation, while also raising funds for the KOA Care Camps Program. The Fox family has had two personal, and extremely positive, experiences with the Chaplaincy, and therefore have chosen them to be the main recipient of race funds raised. According to the TryCharleston website, “The Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy is a local non-profit, whose Chaplains respond to scenes of unexpected death and tragedy to provide comfort and support to families who have lost their loved ones. The support TryCharleston will help enable the Chaplaincy to continue their invaluable service to the Lowcountry.” (http://www.coastalcrisischaplain.org) Diane Fox commented on the addition of the KOA Care Camps Program to the fundraiser, saying “It’s a way of paying them back. It’s a great cause, helping children with cancer to have a window of normalcy in their lives through summer camps.”

In addition to the fundraising portion of the race, the TryCharleston relies on a team of around 300 volunteers. A core committee helps with planning and preparation and the rest come the day of the race to help with everything from timing, to registration, to parking, and more. Fox greatly appreciates the team and called them a “fabulous volunteer committee.”

After the training is completed, the races have run, and the money’s been raised, what’s left to do? “Party, party, party!” said Fox. Participants and spectators will enjoy live music, food, and fun from approximately 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. What part of the day are participants looking forward to most? “The finish [of the race]!” exclaimed Boone. Clarke had a similar thought saying he’s looking forward to “seeing [his] wife at the finish line.” This finish is a huge accomplishment for each athlete, proving to them how strong they can be, both on and off of the race course. “I just want to say thanks to my wife, Nicole Clarke, for all her support.  I will have the most supportive wife of any 'triathlete' at TryCharleston. Kari Davis is a very close second.” Clarke said.

This may only be the second TryCharleston event, but don’t expect it to go away any time soon. Fox hopes that in the next two to three years, the race can transform from a half iron distance, to a full iron event. The full iron event would include a 26.2 mile marathon, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 2.4 mile swim.

Registration for the 2011 race is still open, and events will begin at 7:00 am on Saturday, April 30^th. For more information, visit www.trycharleston.org.


- Bianca Jane Mitchell, Editor
biancajanemitchell@prippie.com