FEATURES

Matt's Mission...

Friday, 03 May 2019 23:10

Photo - Matt is the tall guy on the right.

By Matt Wiitala

As a 3-sport athlete in high school (baseball/basketball/football) and a college football player after that, I never dreamed I would now be as dedicated to a life-style of swimming, biking and running. After meeting some amazing people who have participated in multi-sport events, I started participating in 2015. My goals one December was to sign up for an event (of course an Olympic distance), to not stop to rest and to finish. Small goals, but goals nonetheless. I accomplished that and did it again in 2016 and now have 6 events on my schedule for 2019. I am hooked! Just being at events and being around people of all ages and ability levels is so inspirational. ...

While working in the southwest metro, I had the opportunity to start up multiple running programs, a youth triathlon club and a youth triathlon event. Now working for the city of Shoreview, and Coordinating Adult & Youth Recreation Programs, I want to start of some of those same programs in this area. I have partnered with Diane Hankee and Shelley Ostrander to offer a Triathlon Clinic on Sunday, May 19 from 5:00 - 6:30PM here at the Shoreview Community Center. We will start off with some classroom time where we will be able to educate people on some of the nuances of the sport and offer a time for questions and answers. Followed by a friendly run outside and some swimming in our lap pool. 

The second part of this is to start a Summer Triathlon Club. We will run this, on Tuesday's and Thursday's from June 4 - August 29, 5:00 - 6:30PM. One day will be dedicated to either indoor or outdoor swims and one day will be dedicated to biking and running. Our hope is that people joining this group will register for at least one event this summer. 

MISSION
Our mission with starting these programs is to make this an affordable, social, supportive and welcoming program that is available to people of all ability levels. We hope to help grow the sport by inspiring people, helping people reach their goals and living a healthy lifestyle in the process. All with a smile on their face at the end of it!

For more information or to register call us at 651-490-4753,  or visit this link:https://registration.shoreviewmn.com/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/splash.html (both are under adult sports)