FULL CIRCLE
This weekend marked the 7th anniversary if the Flag City MultiSport Celebration – a series of 6 events unfolding on the Saturday nearest Flag Day every year, and it was truly a celebration on many levels as three intersecting stories came full circle.
A record field of nearly 500 athletes from 12 states and two countries braved a stormy forecast to come out and participate in those 6 events, from a 22 mile inline skate, a Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, an Olympic Triathlon/Duathlon, and a 5K run. Full details of the winners and their times are listed here www.hfpracing.com.
On the celebration side, it was a great day to be part of this event. The day started with more than 1000 American flags greeting the racers as they entered the venue, and we honored American servicemen and women both active and veteran with a stirring rendition of our National Anthem by a trio of singers from the Liberty Benton High School. We were honored to have the spouse of an Ohio Guardsman currently serving in Afghanistan with us, and she stood front and center with his picture as the Anthem rang out. She says he is training as much as he can while stationed in AFG, and he hopes to be back to race with us at the Toyota Challenge in Deer Creek this fall. We’re looking forward to seeing the two of them race together in Ohio again.
The Flag City MultiSport Celebration also marked two “firsts”. Television personality and news anchor Laura Rice of TV 24 in Toledo took another step in her quest to become a triathlete, as she raced (and completed) her first “real triathlon”. Her camera crew followed her throughout the event, and you can see her story here http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/story.aspx?id=469638 . Laura was also following one of our HFP Racing teammates – Brett Hensinger – as he continues his recovery and his return to racing after being hit by a negligent driver back in September. (Full story here http://www.hfpracing.com/blogs/aviewfromthehill/136-01132009-vfthseptember21 ). Brett’s return to racing was triumphant, as he came back fast and had some fun, finishing with family and a big smile. Now we continue to watch as his training partner Shane Tobin moves steadily closer to his first race back, and we can’t wait see those two race together again.
I mentioned 3 intersecting stories earlier? Laura and Brett (and Shane) were two, and the third is really the first – and the real “full circle”. The Flag City MultiSport Celebration is a charity race, with all proceeds benefitting the Give Back Program – the very charity that helped to re-outfit Shane and Brett after their accident, and it is the charity that’s raised nearly $75,000 for those in need in northwest Ohio over the past 7 years. Thanks to all the racers and volunteers who helped to make this possible and thanks to Brett and Shane for showing us how important it is to get back up just one more time than you get knocked down.
See you on race day!
Rich
