See the 2007 Mandan Triathlon Story at http://lifenets.org/mandantriathlon/07storypix.htm

It's always a pleasure going to the Dakota's for me.  What has now become the North Dakota chapter of LIfeNets has been organizing a Triathlon as a benefit to the Bismarck/Mandan Community and LifeNets.  I was contactated by Pam Redline of Redline Fitness about three years ago and asked about the feasibility of such an activity.  From a start in 2005 with 40 registerd participants, 2006 had 70 and this past year there 80.  

I always enjoy the wide open areas of the Dakotas.  There is freedom and freshness in the air. The nature of the area is friendly and has a certain kindness that is lost as you get to bigger metro areas. People are more open and quick to carry on a conversation.

On Friday, August 24 I arrived at the Bismarck airport to be greeted by Ralph, Pam and their son Britton. They have become great friends with whom I enjoy being and working.  In the afternoon we did some prep work for the Triathlon.  I even got to mow the lawn!  

In the early evening the Bismarck Rotary Club hosted a potluck meal at the home of Lorraine Dopson and her neurologist husband Dr. Arazi.  Dr. Arazi, by the way, competed in the Triathlon. Lorraine is the sisted of Chris Hogan who is international coordinator for the Bismarck Rotary Club.  She is an attorney and works for US Senator Kent Conrad.  There were about 40 who came to the potluck and it was a fun activity.  I appreciated being able to talk to North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Dale Sandstrom, also a Rotarian.

Sunday morning began early with setup at 5:30 for the 8:00 start of the Triathlon.  Loretta Benedict did an especially valiant job with record-keeping and registrations.   There was lots of work by all kinds of volunteers and this service was one of the highlights of this Triathlon.  Some groups that provided vovlunteers were the Bismarck United Church of God, local swim team, Bismarck Rotary Club.  The Rotarians worked as guides on the running part of the trail. 

I was the bicycle participant on one of the teams.  However, on the 6.5 mile marker my 26 mile bike route I had a flat tire!  Bummer!!  

Take down seemed much more simplified than the last two years and we were free in the mid afternoon.  A group of us went to the China Wok for a final get together.   

On Monday morning I spoke to the Bismark Far West Rotary Club.  It meets at 7 am sharp for a breakfast meeting.  i was the guest speaker and showed PowerPoint slides of our LifeNets/Rotary projects in Africa. The presentaiton went very very well.  Pam Redline was asekd to introduce me and she gave one of the kindest and most gracious introductions I've ever heard. Pam has a lot of passion for people and doing things for people.

At noon I flew back to Indianapolis. What a weekend!!

See the Mandan Triathlon Story at http://lifenets.org/mandantriathlon/07storypix.htm