grtriathlon

The 2nd Annual Grand Rapids Triathlon is coming! Events are scheduled for June 10, 2012.

This race will include a Sprint, Olympic and 70.3 Distance. We are a USAT Sanctioned event so be sure to stay up to date with the latest announcements!

Who we are:
We are a group of triathletes who are passionate about growing our community healthy. As we ourselves have progressed in the triathlon sport and as triathlon participation continues to hit all-time highs across the country, we felt it was time to bring a USAT Sanctioned Sprint, Olympic and Half-Iron to Ada, MI. There are no other events at this caliber in the area. We feel this event will not only bring top athletes from across the country it will also encourage the beginner athlete to participate by providing training classes and mentors.

Andy Vidro

Co Director

Andy is responsible for handling the technical side of the race ensuring all details are followed and sanctioning rules are adhered to. He also oversees all operations of the race. Andy has always enjoyed organized sports, 5k’s, 10k’s and half-marathons. Since entering the triathlon world, he has taken home several first place wins from MI to Las Vegas. Andy is also the president of the O’Hara Foundation – a group that raises funds and awards scholarships for athletes.

Ann Vidro

CPA – Co Director

Ann has been a resident of West Michigan for over 20 years and is a consultant (and owner) in several small businesses in the Grand Rapids area. She enjoys giving back to the community in many ways including holding the position of Treasurer for Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders and leading a weekly bible study group for women. Ann has been participating in organized races since 1996 and joined the triathlon world five years ago. She also recently completed her first 1/2 Marathon. She is passionate about the details and making sure the each athlete has a positive experience during their race.

Jim Allan

Bike Coordinator

I have been bicycling my entire adult life and lead numerous group rides in the east end of Kent County. I am involved with the Priority Health Cycling Team to track event and volunteer participation; I assist to locate and organize community events that allow the team members to give back to the local community by helping in a variety of ways. I lead the summer Ada Bike Shop Tuesday Night Group rides and also volunteer to help the local bicycle club, The Rapid Wheelmen. I am able to ride about 5000 miles per year, year round. I have never participated in a triathlon but have done a half-dozen duathlons in the area. I enjoy providing support for events and encouraging friends and family as they compete in a variety of activities. I am a retired engineer from Steelcase.

Katie Belland

Run Coordinator

I began running in 2005 and have since done several races, from 10 miles to the Grand Rapids Marathon. Running is a big part of my life. I met my husband through the local running club and even got engaged at the finish line of the 2009 25k River Bank Run. While I have never done a tri myself, I enjoy cheering for my husband as he competes. I was previously the President of the Grand Rapids Running Club.

Fast Photo

Official Photographer

Fast Photo Pro was formed Dec 2008. Kevin Bos and Steven Korringa have worked for several sports photography companies and decided to take that knowledge and offer it locally focusing on Michigan Events that aren’t getting professional photography services. Our goal is to make this a win/win for everyone involved. We work hard to bring you quality images. We use the most advanced online technology available for finding viewing and ordering your specific images by providing you with your own personal galleries based on your visible bib numbers.

Chris George

Setup/Teardown Coordinator

I have been running for the past 6 years and love it. I began with 5K’s and graduated to marathons a couple of years ago. Within the last year I decided to start tackling triathlons as a way to gain better fitness. I have a few Sprints under my belt and would like to complete an Ironman within the next 2-3 years. I have been teaching myself how to speak Mandarin Chinese for the past year. I played bass guitar in bands for nearly 10 years, and I am fond of writing music. I started a blog recently The Fit Mitten in order to share training tips, info about races and fun stories. I am currently working for a service/recognition award company, General Motivation Co.

Jessica Hardy

Web and Graphic Designer

This event is a great opportunity for Grand Rapids. It’s also a huge responsibility to put on. A race this size takes many volunteers and hours of dedication to pull off and we have a very dedicated team putting in the long hours at Wealthy Street Bakery sipping coffee and chatting about ideas to make this event great! I collaborated with Katie to design the Grand Rapids Triathlon branding identity. This includes the logo, website and other promotional material. I’ve been a graphic designer for about five years and I absolutely love it. I’ve never wanted to do anything else and I’m so blessed that I can come to work and do something I love. Most recently I am a designer at Kmotion Design in East Grand Rapids and I love every minute of it! Fun Fact: I own an adorable lop-eared bunny named Lennie that I’m extremely allergic to 🙂

Joel Harner

Equipment/Transition Coordinator

I decided in 2008 I needed to get myself back in shape, and trained with a friend for a fall triathlon. Since then I have become obsessed with the sport. My 2009 season racing Olympic distance events went well and I was selected to race as an Elite Amateur for the Erin Baker’s Wholesome Baked goods team from Bellingham, WA. I primarily focused on the Ironman distance. My two girls are competitive swimmers with the RAYS swim club and I have been actively involved with their team for the last 6 years on the Board of Directors and responsible for running all meets. I am very excited to have a triathlon event in our backyard (we live on the Thornapple River), and I believe it will be a great community activity for our area. I own a Custom Building/Remodeling Firm that does work across Michigan, which provides the flexibility to allow me to train for my various Ironman events.

Jeff Jauch

Special Needs Coordinator

My daughter Chelsea is my true inspiration & the catalyst to all of our racing. I was a heavy smoker when she did her first Tri, with ‘The Ride of Their Lives’. It took her second Tri to get me to change my life. Now we’ve competed in many Triathlons and running races. We are both in the Two Hour club for the Fifth Third RBR. Our fastest Marathon time is 3:25. We race to raise awareness for the disorder Chelsea is afflicted – Rett Syndrome, which is a neuro-muscular disorder. We hope to challenge ourselves once again, by completing the 1/2 Iron distance event in the Grand Rapids Triathlon. We are honored to help coordinate the needs of the other special needs athletes. I have also completed an ironman 11:23:18.

Doug Tuttle

Aid Station Coordinator

After several unhealthy years and strong encouragement from my brother and a good friend (after many years of not having to worry about weight), I decided to join them for their workouts during the winter while they trained for their triathlon season. That June I completed my first triathlon and like so many others I was hooked. Four years later, I have competed in several road races and triathlons including Sprint, Olympic and Half-Ironman distances. In September 2010 I accomplished a major goal when I finished the Wisconsin Ironman and heard Mike Reilly announce “Doug Tuttle, You are an Ironman!” During my races, I take full advantage of the Aid Stations, and I am excited to be the Aid Station Coordinator and a part of the committee for the inaugural Grand Rapids Triathlon. I am married to my lifelong best friend Susan and we have 3 children (Corydon, Ella & Raleigh) who are up and coming triathletes. I am a third generation co-owner of Johnson Carpet One in Grandville.

Katie VanderPloeg

Web and Graphic Designer

I’m a runner & fitness enthusiast. I run the fifth third 25k, and a few other local races. This is my first event I am sponsoring, its exciting to help out! I LOVE to workout, cardio, weight lifting, running, biking, hiking, etc. My husband Matt and I actually met at the gym. We are both into fitness and the outdoors. Fitness makes me happy, and appreciate the life that God gives me. The opportunity to push myself physically & mentally – I can celebrate life when doing such things. I’m the owner of Kmotion Design Inc. where I do web & graphic design. I’ve always been creative and artistic since I was little. I love my job and therefore I don’t have to work a day in my life, because what I do everyday for my job is my passion.

Jim Vidro

Awards Coordinator

My experience with athletic events includes over 10 years in the Athletic Department of Grand Rapids Public Schools including several years as coordinator of the Thanksgiving Day Run. Although I have not participated in a triathlon, I have grown to appreciate the triathlon through the participation of my son. After being a part of Grand Rapids Public Schools for 32 years as a teacher, coach, advisor, athletic director, and assistant principal, I now am an adjunct instructor at Grand Rapids Community College. I greatly value the place of physical activity in our lives and I am glad to be involved with the first Grand Rapids Triathlon.