Philly Fit

JUST TRI IT!
PHILADELPHIA TRIATHLON SCENE
By: Steve Brown
Each issue, PhillyFIT Magazine takes a look at the local triathlon and
multisport scene, providing our readers with news, features, product reviews,
as well previews of great area racing and training. In this issue …
ATHLETE PROFILE
MICHAEL "SCOOGIE" SNYDER
If you've raced anywhere around the Mid Atlantic
area in recent years, you have either seen Scoogie
Snyder, or his black and red flame colored Elite Razor
bicycle, quite possibly, the nicest ride in the racks. If
you haven't seen him, all you need to do is stick around
for the awards presentations of any of Michael's races,
and you will surely get your chance.
Make a Difference … Join the TEAM
Looking for a local triathlon training program?
Are you ready to Tri for a cure? The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society's, Team in Training triathlon
program, offers the opportunity to take on the challenge of swimming, cycling, and running an
Olympic-distance triathlon while making a difference in the lives of over 785,000 Americans living
with blood cancers. Along with a customized-training program and expert coaching, participants train
with a local group of individuals and in honor of
local cancer survivors for motivation and inspiration. Check out Team In Training at their Spring
Season Kickoff Party on Thursday, November 9,
2006, 6:30 PM at #2 International Plaza,
Philadelphia, PA or visit
www.teamintraining.org/epa.
Scoogie, a Gwynedd Valley Pennsylvania resident,
began racing in 1994 when he entered the GraniteMan
Triathlon in Wolfeboro, N.H. Scoogie (who was still
"Michael" at the time) raced with his brother and best
friend, David Snyder. Sadly, Scoogie lost his brother in
an automobile accident in 1998. The race eventually led
to him competing in other races. It didn't take long
Michael "Scoogie" Snyder
Join Team In Training at the first major race of
the year, St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg,
Florida on Sunday, April 29, 2007. St. Anthony's
has kicked off the triathlon season in North
America for the past twenty-two years. On race
day, you'll swim through the brisk waters of Tampa
Bay, bike along glimmering waterways and quiet
harbors, and run through picturesque neighborhoods
and past cheering spectators. Over the years, St.
Anthony's Triathlon has been named "Race of the
Year" by USA Triathlon and has served as a qualifier for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.
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November/December I 215-396-0268 I www.phillyfitmagazine.com
before the roots took hold and a permanent fixture in the triathlon
community was sprung. Scoogie now manages an active race
schedule that makes us tired just reading the list. Every race is
run in the loving memory and spirit of his brother, David. "We
race every race together. He gets me through the difficult times
and celebrates with me during the great times," reflected Scoogie.
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Snyder can be found virtually every weekend somewhere in or
around the Mid Atlantic Region, which is the home of some of his
favorite races. In particular, he notes, "The events put on by Neil
Semmel of Piranha Sports and Chuck Sellers of Distinguished
Quality Events are top shelf events managed by outstanding, yet
grass roots organizations." Although he "has fun" at all of his
events, don't be fooled into thinking Michael is not a fierce competitor. "I fully understand and even enjoy the 'suffer factor' that
one must endure to do well in the sport of triathlon," said Scoogie.
And that 'suffer factor' is what has earned Scoogie countless top
age group and overall awards over the years, which are far too
many to mention.
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Aside from the motivation derived from his brother David,
Scoogie Snyder also credits his strong family support system for
his continued success. He is quick to tip his hat to his wife,
Marci, who even through pregnancy would not miss a race. She
is his tried and true triathlon Sherpa. Scoogie shared a quick story
with me about Marci. At Ironman New Zealand in 2004, Marci
noticed that Scoogie didn't have his shades while leaving T1.
Marci then proceeded to run three miles back to their condo,
grabbed an extra pair and ran back. She proceeded up a one-mile
hill to the special needs area and somehow convinced someone to
put the shades in his special needs bag. When he arrived at his
bag at mile 56, not only were his shades there, but a sweet note
accompanied them. Now that is support!
When asked what was next for Scoogie Snyder, he modestly
replied, "To try to stay fit enough to compete for podium spots as
life's commitments continue to mount." We wish Scoogie, and
his family, continued success in all that they do, on and off the
racecourse.
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Snyder also credits his success to the mastermind behind
Philadelphia-based Elite Bicycles, David Greenfield. In 1996,
Snyder purchased the sixth bike ever manufactured by Elite, and
he insists he will never buy any tri bike other than an Elite. "I
owe much of my success to David Greenfield at Elite Bicycles.
Without Greenfield's expert fitting of my custom built Elite Razor
(with really cool flames), my run would not be as strong as it is
now. Dave is the man! Elite's mechanic, Richie Cortez, is also
'the man'. David's commitment to one hundred percent customer
satisfaction is second to none," said Scoogie.
PHILADELPHIA MARATHON RAMPS UP
It's a new start for the Philadelphia Marathon. Presented this
year for the first time by American Express, the Philadelphia
Marathon reaffirms our city's athletic spirit, and now offers even
more ways to participate. From the new half marathon to spectator overlooks, everyone can take part in one the nation's most historic runs. Beautiful, flat and furiously fast, the marathon course
that winds through some of the nation's most historic landmarks is
a favorite among an international roster of athletes, as well as
someone you probably know.
Festivities kick off on Friday, November 17th, with a two-day
Health and Fitness Expo. Cheer on future marathoners at the
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PhillyFIT I 47
Verizon Kids Fun Run, and stick around for the Pasta Dinner.
Then come on out on Sunday, November 19th, put on your running shoes or join us in one of our Express Zones, and find out
why we say, "Freedom starts here."
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TriColumbia's ChesapeakeMan
Triathlon Festival a Huge Success
On October 7th, 2004, Columbia
Triathlon Association's Rob Vigorito
addressed a captive audience of
anxious triathletes and explained his
reasons for christening that year's
inaugural ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Triathlon in Cambridge,
Maryland (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run). Vigorito
knew the Mid Atlantic region needed an ultra distance race. His
goal was to build the race slowly from the ground up and with all
of the right key ingredients that would make it an ultra event by
the athletes and for the athletes. He wanted to create an ultra race
that embodied the true spirit of the "Ironman", rich in ambience
and camaraderie. Vigorito said to his audience, "If I build it, I
know they'll come".
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September 30th, 2006 marked the third anniversary of
"Chessyman". Rob Vigorito built it, and they have come. There
was a huge increase in registration numbers this year with athlete
representation coming from twenty-three states across the country.
This year, Vigorito also added three additional events to run concurrently with Chessyman, offering something for everyone to
further cultivate the triathlon festival spirit. Joining Chessyman
this year was the Chesapeake Endurance Triathlon (1.2-mile
swim, 65-mile bike, 10-mile run), an Aqua Velo (2.4-mile swim
and a 112-mile bike), and a 2.4-mile open water swim only.
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This course is one of the most beautiful and unique courses of
any race in North America. Swimmers navigate the open water
nuances of the Choptank River at sunrise in a point-to-point swim
leading to transition at Great Marsh Park. From there, the bike
course winds its way through the lightly traveled scenic roads of
the Black Water Wildlife Refuge where riders see more wildlife
than motor vehicles. Finally, athletes embark on a three loop run
course, which is both athlete and spectator friendly, with a stadium finish at the local high school.
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The 2006 running of ChesapeakeMan once again offered the
kind of top shelf support that has become synonymous with the
Columbia Triathlon Association and the Cambridge community.
Top overall male honors went to twenty-five year old Benjamin
Bishop with a time of 9:47:53. Female honors went to Julie
Curwin, forty-one, with a time of 10:08:04. For complete results,
log onto www.tricolumbia.org. Expect the ChesapeakeMan Ultra
festival to continue to grow even bigger and better in 2007!
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Also look for details and registration info for Columbia
Triathlon Association's other events including EagleMan Ironman
70.3, Columbia Triathlon, and Ryka Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon
at www.tricolumbia.org
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PhillyFIT Magazine contributor Stephen Brown is a
Philadelphia area age group triathlete. Brown also writes
and serves as Editor in Chief of the triathlon publication
TransitionTimes.com. In a racing career spanning nearly
twenty years, Brown has racked up countless races of all
distances from sprint to Ironman. He also often uses his
racing as a platform to raise funds and awareness for significant charitable
causes. He can be reached at stephenbrown@phillyfitmagazine.com
November/December I 215-396-0268 I www.phillyfitmagazine.com