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Business Briefs

On Your Mark. Get Set. Your Done

Special to the Emeryville Connection
June 2008

New World Record Set for Emeryville’s Shortest Triathlon

Thirty-five year old, Hanns Detlefsen, of Dublin, set the new unofficial “world record” for Emeryville’s Shortest Triathlon Ever with a time of 15 minutes, nine seconds, beating the 2007 record of 0:16:48. Tripling last year’s figures, 200 people participated in the 2008 Shortest Triathlon Ever challenge – the real athletes – and then everybody else – first-timers, non-athletes, moms, dads, kids. A truly intergenerational and diverse group hit the streets of Emeryville on Saturday morning, April 12, tackling the 100 yard swim in the Emery Secondary School swimming pool, 2.5 mile bike ride through town and 1.2 mile run up to Bay St. and back to Mavericks Sports Club. Breakfast was donated by Jamba Juice, Peet’s Coffee, Ruby’s Café and Semifreddi’s Bakery. Woodfin SuitesHotel donated Health Fair tables, chairs and linens for the second year.

The idea was to get everyone off the couch and outside running and getting fit. Dr. Warren Strudwick, principal of BOSS (Bay Area Orthopaedic Sports & Spine) and physician for the Oakland Raiders, created this fun Shortest Triathlon Ever in 2007 to embrace the City, Chamber and Emery Unified School District’s Health & Wellness initiative. ”This race is so short, anyone can do it!” Strudwick said. “And the beauty of it is seeing 60+ year olds competing for the first time and eight year olds, mixed in with serious triathlon athletes and families cheering on their stars.” Proceeds from the event will go to the Emery Ed Fund for the school district’s health and wellness program from The Boss Foundation.

An event like this can only happen because of the generosity of volunteers and sponsors. Pictured here (left), Amanda Heikkinen, Emeryville resident and certified personal trainer, volunteered to lead the Yoga class at the pool. Kurt Brinkman (right), resident, Emeryville business owner (Intrepid Electronics), school board member and Chamber board member, who volunteered to direct traffic for the second year. Thank you to Chamber Office Manager, Orah Goldman and Janet Kenny and Kristin Washington of Alta Alliance Bank who handled registration. Thanks to our other traffic monitors and score keepers: Caroline Carrera, Yolanda Owens, Ruth Manazares, T. J. Kaspar, Karen Shane, Gina Patton, Lawrence Smith, Carolyn Santee, Forrest Gee, Garrett Seligman (2nd yr.), Lisa Yee, Laurie Ewing, Samantha Buelna, Adam Benzuly, Hannah Ashby (2nd yr.) and those of you who did not sign in.

The Shortest Triathlon Ever and The Boss Foundation extend their gratitude to Platinum Sponsor Webster Surgery Center; Silver Sponsor Pacific Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine and Bronze Sponsors: Euflexxa, Back to Health Chiropractic, Flex Power, Genzyme Biosurgery, Open MRI and PCHS (Patient Controlled Healthcare Services). Event planners appreciate the cooperation of the City of Emeryville, the City’s police, fire, community events and recreation departments, Bay Street, Mavericks and TMG Properties. And many thanks to our two volunteer photographers, Michael Mejia and Monty Dunn.

To top off this fun and fit day, Emeryville resident Robert Albott took home a third place medal in the men’s division, age 60-69.