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ABOUT COLUMBIA TRIATHLON

The Columbia Triathlon Association (CTA) is a 501c-3 non-profit organization based in Columbia, Maryland and incorporated in 1988. The organization plays an active role in Columbia and its environs and actively supports several local charities, among them: The ARC of Howard County, for developmentally affected youth and adults, The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults based in Howard County, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, Team In Training, The Blazeman Foundation, and several other very worthwhile causes.


Porsche Boxster
Courtesy of Mile-ONE Tischer Porsche, Silver Spring MD

CTA was founded initially, as The Columbia Triathlon back in 1983 and our inaugural event was The Columbia Triathlon, in the Spring of 1984. That first events attracted 90 brave souls. We are now into our 25-year of producing not only our signature Columbia Triathlon but also several high quality, safe and fun events geared to attract all ability levels across the triathlon/multisport spectrum. Race Director/ Producer and President, Robert Vigorito, was part of the ad hoc committee in 1982-83 that was to give birth to the now nationally recognized Columbia Triathlon and has been its race director since 1986. At that time, Vigo had that special vision and imagination to see well beyond 1984. He was committed to the ideal that this would be a first step in bringing the Columbia Triathlon to highest level of Triathlon. Vigo as he is fondly referred to by those close to him, he proud of his team of his CTA Team that brings so much to each event to make it the very special event it must be !!

The goal of The Columbia Triathlon Association, Inc (CTA) is to produce and direct high quality, safe events in the community and to provide support for those within the community who help and support us. A very nice quid pro quo if you will !

To Paraphrase Porsche Cars, AG:

The Columbia Triathlon and CTA as a group is about Tradition. living The Dream. We stand for innovation, emotion, and to a certain degree fascination. We are committed to our core values and will not compromise on those things that have made us Who we are. Our commitment is to the athlete who subscribes to our events with the expectation that this will be something very special and an event that will be remembered. After 25 years of event production, Heritage and Tradition does mean something to us. At CTA we are "less" in size, but More in who we are and what we are committed to bring forth. Our goals are to aim high but stay small and that means to always look to the future and be innovative and creative.

Along the way, CTA/Robert Vigorito, has undertaken to administer The Judy Flannery Memorial Fund (JFMF) named for National and World Champion Triathlete and Duathlete Judy Flannery who was tragically killed in 1997 while training on the bike while at the time preparing for that year's May Columbia Triathlon one of her favorites and one where she still holds the Master's course record and was undefeated. Judy in fact, never lost in competition, save her very last race one month prior to her untimely death and that ironically was to another "Judy". CTA actively supports and solicits donations to this Fund, which provides financial support to Masters women in triathlon and duathlon, who aspire to race in both National and World Championship events. This was a strong concern and cause celebre for Judy.

The Fund annually awards, The Spirit of Judy Flannery Award, a magnificent Waterford crystal piece, which is presented annually at the traditional Masters Women's breakfast held at the USAT National Age Group Championships, to a deserving Masters women who exemplifies the spirit, determination and grace of Judy Flannery. Nominations and Bios and Letters of Support for this prestigious award may be forwarded to CTA herein c/o Celeste Callahan, Co Chairperson, JFMF, Checks in support if this Fund can be made payable to CTA/JFMF

CTA has additionally undertaken administration of the Jerry Kenney USAT Senior Fund. Jerry passed away suddenly after a workout in August 2003 after a long career as a feature outdoors writer for The New York Post. Jerry was a Hawaii Ironman Finisher, won several National Age Group titles, and had just won his age group at the Muncie Endurathlon and at The Blackwater EagleMan Long Course Regional Championships. He had been a very active senior athlete and was always accompanied at all his events by his "coach" and wife Alexandra. The purpose of this Fund is help and assist Senior triathletes seeking to participate in events where cost may be a prohibiting factor. The guidelines for monetary distribution are in the planning stages at this time. CTA was the first to donate to this worthwhile Fund in Jerry's name. Donations are being accepted through CTA . Make any checks payable to , " CTA/Jerry Kenney USATSF".

CTA has also raised and donated Funds to The Lance Armstrong Foundation, in honor of our many friends who have battled, survived or have sadly succumbed to cancer. We have organized trips to the annual Ride for The Roses in Austin Texas, home of Lance Armstrong who participates in the ride. We have ridden in support of Lance and the USPS Team at the Tour de France in the summers of 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, where we rode the famous Etape du Tour Limoge to St Flour ( Stage 10 of the 2004 Tour at 147 miles with 8 climbs) along with 8000 other riders from across Europe and the world. CTA and friends have also scaled the Alps, Pyrenees and Mt Ventoux.

CTA raised funds and rode with Lance in the Tour of Hope Ride in Oct 2003 in Washington, DC. At select events this year, "LiveStrong" Yellow wrist bands were given out by CTA and also at the 2004 TDF to further support cancer survivorship and those among us fighting this disease. In all future events, we will feature Yellow in some way and Live Strong bands will be there!!

We are very proud of our contributions to causes that we feel are just and worthy of our support. We admire the human spirit, in all its forms, and encourage all to "enrich your lives" and as Lance would say to, “Live Strong” . We hope you can and will join us at one of our special events. Experience it, feel the energy, for it is unlike any other.

Additionally , we support The local Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults , a Fund for psycho-social support based here in Columbia. Please visit their web site at: www.ulmanfund.org.

We are very proud of our contributions to causes that we feel are just and worthy of our support. We admire the human spirit, in all its forms, and encourage all to "enrich your lives" and as Lance would say to, "Live Strong". We hope you can and will join us at one of our special events. Experience it, feel the energy, always be as Great as you can be, Then be and give a little more.

Contributions to CTA directly may be made payable to:

CTA,

c/o
Robert Vigorito
The Columbia Triathlon Association, Inc.
6662 Windsor Court
Columbia, MD 21044-4147
410-964-1246
410-964-2274 (fax)
events@tricolumbia.org
www.tricolumbia.org

phone: 410-964-1246
email: events@tricolumbia.org

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