by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
The upcoming 30th annual Sartell Apple Duathlon is one of the few non-profit major duathlons in the nation, and virtually every dollar of proceeds goes to local causes.
The adult Sartell Apple Duathlon will get underway at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 26. The evening before, May 25, starting at 6 p.m., the Apple Children’s Race will begin. Both races will take place at Sartell Middle School. Registration is still open for both races. Visit www.appleduathlon.com
The adult race, sponsored by Williams Integracare, is expected to draw up to 350 duathletes from as many as 30 states and several foreign countries. The children’s race should attract about 200 participants, said Apple Duathlon Committee Director Brandon Testa, who has coordinated the adult race for the past eight years. This year, he and the committee are also coordinating the children’s race, which was added as an adjunct to the adult event five years ago. The children’s race is sponsored by the CentraCare BLEND program.
Widely regarded as one of the premiere duathlons in the nation, the Sartell Apple Duathlon has been the object of misconceptions by many people throughout the years, Testa said.
Misconception Number-One, according to Testa, is the race is a profit-making venture. On the contrary, Testa noted money raised is used to fund two local high-school scholarships, and money has also been given to the City of Sartell, the Boys and Girls Club’s Kidstop programs, the Voyageurs youth program in St. Cloud and to other good local causes or organizations.
Misconception Number-Two is the Apple Duathlon is only for the most elite duathletes. Not true, Testa said. The race is for anyone, no matter what skill level. In recent years, more and more Sartell residents of a wide variety of ages and skill levels have been participating in the race, as well as amateurs from other cities. In recent years, awards are now given to the top Sartell finishers in the race.
Misconception Number-3 is the race is run by paid employees. Untrue, Testa said. The people on the committee are strictly volunteers as are the hundreds of other people who make the two races possible. More volunteers are always welcome. If interested, sign up at www.appleduathlon.com.
Author: Dennis Dalman
Dalman was born and raised in South St. Cloud, graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School, then graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in English (emphasis on American and British literature) and mass communications (emphasis on print journalism). He studied in London, England for a year (1980-81) where he concentrated on British literature, political science, the history of Great Britain and wrote a book-length study of the British writer V.S. Naipaul. Dalman has been a reporter and weekly columnist for more than 30 years and worked for 16 of those years for the Alexandria Echo Press.