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SDTC 2006 media
13th Annual Sempra Energy
San Diego Triathlon Challenge
to Celebrate Life, Ability on Nov. 5th
More than 100 Challenged Athletes to Participate Alongside Celebrities, Pros and Able-bodied Triathletes
Courage will take center-stage, heroes will be made whole again through sports, and hope and inspiration will flourish at the 13th Annual Sempra Energy San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC) on November 5, 2006 at La Jolla Cove. The event will feature some of the world’s top physically challenged athletes, competing alongside celebrities, professional athletes and 550 able-bodied triathletes in an event expected to raise more than $1 million for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Event proceeds will allow CAF to provide people with physical disabilities the funding and support they need to participate in the fitness activities and sports that many able-bodied people take for granted.
Hero and Star-studded Field:
Scheduled to compete in this half-ironman distance triathlon event
(1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run):
- Celebrities Robin Williams (actor), Amanda Beard (seven-time Olympic medalist in swimming), David James Elliott (actor), Alexandra Paul (actress), Jim Ochowicz (U.S. Olympic cycling coach at 2004 Summer Olympic Games) and Hannah Cornett (actress/triathlete)
- More than 20 injured U.S. military heroes from CAF’s Operation Rebound program, including Maj. David Rozelle (returned to combat duty in Iraq on an artificial leg), who recently finished Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii
- U.S. Paralympic medalists Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Paul Martin and Sandy Dukat
- Espy Winners Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah and Bobby Martin
- The Amazing Race’s Sarah Reinertsen (Espy winner, above-the-knee amputee) and Peter Harsch
- Legendary triathletes like two-time Ironman World Triathlon Champion Scott Tinley.
Interview Opportunities
- Challenged athletes, Paralympians, injured American soldiers, pro triathletes and celebrities
- Bob Babbitt, one of the founders of the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Ironman Hall of Famer
- Note: Celebrity CAF spokespersons like Maj. David Rozelle, Sarah Reinertsen and Rudy Garcia-Tolson are also available for pre-race interviews and morning show segments beginning Nov. 2.
Special Stories
Every challenged athlete has a story; here are three SDTC “first-timers” who have overcome exceptional
QUALCOMM Million Dollar Challenge |
| New for 2006 is the QUALCOMM Million Dollar Challenge – an epic eight-day, 640-mile ride from San Francisco to San Diego. Each of the 100 riders participating in the MDC is raising $10,000 for CAF and challenged athletes -- for an additional $1 Million to be presented to CAF. The riders will ride the 56-mile bike course at the SDTC and will make a special check presentation to CAF at 8:50 am at the SDTC finish line. To learn more about the QUALCOMM Million Dollar Challenge, click here. |
barriers and are demonstrating exceptional courage to take part in the race. They will be recognized at a special ceremony prior to the race start:
Craig Hutto lost his right leg in a shark attack in 2005. A stand-out high-school baseball and basketball player, he has vowed to get back in the game. This year’s SDTC will make the first time he has returned to the ocean since in the attack. Read more...
After losing a leg to cancer and a home to Katrina, athletics would be the farthest thing from most people’s minds. But Ford Sutter’s thirst for competition remains unquenched. Read more …
Erica Davis was a star athlete until an artery unexpectedly ruptured in her spinal column, causing a break at the T-8 vertebra. She’s more than ready to roll – she just needs some special equipment to do so. Read more …
Key Sempra Energy SDTC Moments
- Athlete introductions (7:00 am)
- Recognition of injured American soldiers (7:35 am)
- Featured athletes presentation (7:40 am)
- First swim wave - Challenged Athletes (8:00 am)
- Rudy Garcia-Tolson (Paralympic world record holder) tags Robin Williams to begin bike leg of race (8:15 am)
- Check presentation by QUALCOMM Million Dollar Challenge riders (see below); 8:50 am at the SDTC finish line
- Brendan Driscoll, an eight-year-old above-the-knee amputee presented with a new running leg (9:30 am) at the “Tour De Cove”
- Kids race, featuring challenged “stars of tomorrow” from around the world 10:30 am, SDTC Finish line
- QUALCOMM Million Dollar Challenge riders return (1:30 pm)
- BBQ/Awards Presentation – 3:30 pm.
Who Benefits?
The SDTC is the primary fundraiser for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. The SDTC and the Tour de Cove (TDC), a concurrent 100-bike spinathon held at La Jolla Cove, raise more than $1 million for CAF. Last year, CAF was able to provide direct funding to 429 physically challenged athletes across the United States and in 22 countries thanks in large measure the success of the SDTC and TDC. Additionally, through its programs, CAF reaches thousands more. To read more about CAF, its history and its programs, click here.
Awards
CAF will recognize exceptional challenged athletes, CAF supporters and top fundraisers at the post-event BBQ (beginning at 3:30 pm):
- Most Inspirational Athlete: Tricia Downing (paraplegic, first woman in a wheelchair to take on the Ironman Triathlon World Championships.)
- Jim McLaren Award: Coleen Blackmore and Heather LaCasse (directors of the Tour de Cove.)
- Sempra Energy Trailblazer Award: Jon Beeson (below elbow amputee who is a driving force for the inclusion of triathlon in the Paralympics.)
- Rising Star Award: Bobby Martin (born without legs, he broke barriers as a varsity high school football player.)
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About CAF
The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a special place where courage has many faces … where perseverance comes through the door with a first name … where dreams are nourished and heroes have a home. It is an organization unlike any other in the world.
CAF grew out of a desire to assist one athlete paralyzed in a triathlon. From this modest beginning arose a more important mission – to make sure people with physical challenges have the same freedom to enjoy sports that the able-bodied take for granted.
Since 1997, CAF has satisfied more than 2,100 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries. Whether it’s $2,000 for a handcycle, helping underwrite a $15,000 running prosthetic or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.
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