21st POLE PEDAL PANT winter triathlon
Oldest Winter Triathlon Race
Saturday, March 13, 2010

Volunteers Needed!

CLICK HERE to download the volunteer information and registration form in PDF format. Once printed, you can fill it out and mail it to the address indicated on the form.

Updates From 2010 POLE PEDAL PANT® Winter Triathlon race organizer (3/13/2010):

The 21st POLE PEDAL PANT winter triathlon (10k ski, 5k bike, and 5k run) is considered to be one of the toughest, if not the toughest, winter triathlons in Pole Pedal Pant's 21 years of history, the oldest winter triathlon in U.S. Despite the doable condition on Friday night, the condition of the bike/run course on Sat. was very dangerous after a final inspection on the course at about an hour before the race. So moving the course was very necessary to keep the racers safe. The Elm Creek Park management team was very cooperative while upholding the principle and honoring the integrity of having the course open for public use. The racers used every ounce of their energy and pushed it through and finished this great venture. I received many great comments and feedback. In general, the racers had a good time and have added this race to their great accomplishment list.

Thanks to Bruce Adelsman of skinnyski.com and Randy Fulton of Vacation Sports, the race recap, photos and full results are being posted on www.skinnyski.com: Results | Ski Photos | Bike Photos | Run Photos | YouTube.com Coverage | twelve.tv Coverage

"The warm March weather generated last minute changes at Elm Creek Saturday morning for the Pole Pedal Pant winter triathlon. The bike and run segments were originally planned to use the multi-use trails but were forced into using the ski trail for the bike and run segments as well, resulting is some tough going. Matt Liebsch skated out to an early lead in the opening ski leg but John Kallemeyer overtook him during the biking segment and went on to take the men's victory. Rachel Allyn also used the biking leg to move up, passing ski leader Hannah Sanborn to collect the women's title."

Also, thanks to Channel 12 TV for its coverage (see news coverage on Monday night news at 4pm, 3/15/2010 and throughout this week).

For most, I want to thank all the volunteers to help put up this event. Without them, the event would not have happened. This race is a fundraising event for a non-profit organization, SILENT SPORTS FOUNDATION, which supports athletes in pursuing their passion and dream in a number of under sponsored yet appreciated sports like xc skiing, running, cycling, etc. All proceeds have been donated to benefit SILENT SPORTS FOUNDATION.

Amy Xu
Chief of Competition
21st POLE PEDAL PANT® winter triathlon
www.rainbowresort.com/ppp
612-991-4912
xu.amy@dorsey.com

Updates From 2010 POLE PEDAL PANT® Winter Triathlon race organizer (3/9/2010):

The online registration deadline is tonight, midnight (Tue.). Please register at: www.rainbowresort.com/ppp. Although race day registration is available, online registration is highly recommended due to your busy race morning preparation (bike drop off, bib pick-up, etc.). The Chalet area parking lot may be limited, and overflow parking/shuttle bus may be available but it's about a mile away. Please plan your time on the race day appropriately.

While we are busy preparing for this 21st POLE PEDAL PANT winter triathlon, the race organization would like to thank Elm Creek Park Reserve and Three Rivers Park District for their support of hosting this oldest winter triathlon at this venue. We are very fortunate to have these beautiful trails and would like to recognize one of our trailblazers and pioneers, James Deane, the one after whom the James Dean Parkway is named.

Jim was cross country and track coach at Osseo High School from the about 1959. He was a PhyEd teacher and taught the cross country skiing and snowshoeing classes. His cross country teams trained in the fields, valleys and ridges of Elm Creek Park. As a city councilor, the mayor of Maple Grove, and later as a Three Rivers Park District commissioner and chairman, Jim was a major trails advocate. The trails at Elm Creek, as well as Maple Grove, are certainly a legacy of Jim and the others who worked to benefit our and future generations (courtesy note from Dean Slyter of Cedar Rapids, IA).

The 21st POLE PEDAL PANT winter triathlon (10k ski, 7k bike, and 7k run) event is ON "rain or shine", though "snow" will be better. More photos will follow by Thur.-Friday.

The race event starts at 9am, on March 13th, Sat. held at Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove, MN. This winter triathlon is the oldest winter triathlon in U.S. The official website: www.rainbowresort.com/ppp. Online registration deadline is 3/9/2010. Please register at www.rainbowresort.com/ppp, and a reduced entry fee ($10) is offered to volunteer racers as well. Please mail in your race registration form/$10 along with a volunteer form by March 9, 2010 and attend a volunteer meeting on Friday, March 12, at 5pm-6:30pm or Sat. March 13, at 7am.

Though our co-MC, Dick Beardsley, cannot make it this year, he sends his best wishes to all race participants. The two-time champion and course record holder of our beloved Grandma's Marathon and Napa Valley Marathon and the 4th fastest U.S. marathoner is helping his friend to fundraise for charities in Race Across America bike race. Ahvo Taipale and Neil Eerdmans will again co-MC this event.

We'll also have a farewell get-together for Chad Giese, the 6-time Mora Vasaloppet champion. Thanks to all the participants including Three River Parks/Elm Creek Park Reserve manager and staff, racers, volunteers, sponsors, and other silent sports enthusiasts.

Amy Xu
Chief of Competition
21st POLE PEDAL PANT® winter triathlon
www.rainbowresort.com/ppp
612-991-4912
xu.amy@dorsey.com

Updates From 2010 POLE PEDAL PANT® Winter Triathlon race organizer (3/3/2010):

The 21st POLE PEDAL PANT winter triathlon (10k ski, 7k bike, and 7k run) race is set to go -- race event starts at 9am, on March 13th, Sat. held at Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove, MN. This winter triathlon is the oldest winter triathlon in U.S. The official website: www.rainbowresort.com/ppp. Online registration deadline is 3/9/2010. Please register at www.rainbowresort.com/ppp, and a reduced entry fee ($10) is offered to volunteer racers as well. Please mail in your race registration form/$10 along with a volunteer form by March 9, 2010 and attend a volunteer meeting on Friday, March 12, at 5pm-6:30pm or Sat. March 13, at 7am.

Though our co-MC, Dick Beardsley, cannot make it this year, he sends his best wishes to all race participants. The two-time champion and course record holder of our beloved Grandma's Marathon and Napa Valley Marathon and the 4th fastest U.S. marathoner is helping his friend to fundraise for charities in Race Across America bike race. Ahvo Taipale and Neil Eerdmans will again co-MC this event.

We'll also have a farewell get-together for Chad Giese, the 6-time Mora Vasaloppet champion. Thanks to all the participants including Three River Parks/Elm Creek Park Reserve manager and staff, racers, volunteers, sponsors, and other silent sports enthusiasts."

Amy Xu
Chief of Competition
21st POLE PEDAL PANT® winter triathlon
www.rainbowresort.com/ppp
612-991-4912
xu.amy@dorsey.com

January 20, 2010

From the 2010 POLE PEDAL PANT® Winter Triathlon race organizer:

The 21st POLE PEDAL PANT® winter triathlon 2010 race remains its last year's venue in the Twin Cities, MN, held at Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove, MN, on March 13, 2010, Sat.

Elm Creek Park Reserve has been known as the heaven for xc skiers, bikers, runners, and family/group activities. POLE PEDAL PANT® winter triathlon race, historically hosted at Giant's Ridge Resort (Biwabik, MN) in its initial 16 years, then re-organized by and moved to Rainbow Resort/West Itasca (Waubun, MN) for 3 years. To preserve this oldest and historical winter triathlon race event, the race organizer has been engaging with SILENT SPORTS FOUNDATION and Three River Park District, to find a new venue which was used at 2009 PPP -- Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, a northwest suburb of the greater Twin Cities areas, MN.

Race date/time has been set on March 13, 2010, Saturday, at 9am, race package pickup starts at 7:30am. Online registration ends March 9, 2010, Tue., midnight. Race day registration ends at 8am. The official website for the 21st POLE PEDAL PANT® winter triathlon race is www.rainbowresort.com/ppp.

We are very grateful to the Three River Park District/Elm Creek Park Reserve, all the sponsors and volunteers, and SILENT SPORTS FOUNDATION, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which provides educational services to organizations and individuals regarding athletic sports, competitions, etc. to lead a healthy lifestyle, for their support in continuing this historical winter event in Minnesota.

Amy Xu
Chief of Competition
21st POLE PEDAL PANT® winter triathlon
www.rainbowresort.com/ppp
612-991-4912
xu.amy@dorsey.com