Welcome to the 2010 Capital of Texas Triathlon

CapTexTri has been under the same management since 1991. Originally established as the Austin Triathlon in 1989, it took place at several venues in the city before moving to its current location in 2002.

Producers Rick Margiotta and Bradley Davison know triathlons.

Rick has competed in more than 150 multi-sport events since 1985, including Ironman Canada, Ironman Hawaii, and Ironman North America. He founded CapTexTri and has served as race director or co-director every year but one. He has organized many other triathlons in and around Austin, including the first Danskin Women's Triathlon. He served for three years as president of USA Triathlon (formerly Triathlon Federation USA), the sport's national governing body and member of the US Olympic Committee, and represented North America to the International Triathlon Union's board of directors. He was selected by USA Triathlon to be the first technical director of the first USA Triathlon Olympic Trials in 2000 and ended up being responsible for most of the race day activities.

Brad is a three-time Ironman finisher. A certified triathlon race director, he has served as race director for the Toys for Tots Reindeer Run in Austin as well as co-director for the Bally Fitness Triathlon Series and the Austin Xterra National Series. He served as co-technical director of the USA Triathlon Olympic Trials in 2000 and has been named President Emeritus of USA Triathlon. He promotes sports and fitness in Austin as a member of the Sports Commission with the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau and as a member of the Austin Mayor's Council on Fitness.

In addition to their hands-on experience gained from producing CapTexTri for nearly 20 years, the two bring logistical and organizational skills developed in their professions. Rick is a custom home builder, and Brad works in the insurance industry, having accrued 18 years experience in risk management, including 12 in emergency planning and preparedness.

.ABOUT CAPITAL OF TEXAS TRIATHLON

2010 Event Day Overview - Memorial Day

By General Orders No. 11 - May 5, 1868 - General John A. Logan, Commander of the Army of the Republic set a day of national remembrance for the more than half million Civil War dead.  Over time the day would become known as Memorial Day and unfortunately, would end up as a day to honor many tens of thousands more Americans that would die in various battles and wars in the years to come, defending and protecting the United States of America.  They were men and women, called upon by their country.  Over the years, many of us have forgotten or never truly learned the reason that Memorial Day even exists.  Instead it has become for many, the “unofficial” start of summer - a three-day weekend for the family to go to the lake or to kick back around the barbeque... and forgetting the over one million Americans who have paid the ultimate price for those very freedoms.

The terrorist tragedies of September 11, 2001 and the current, ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afganistan bring a daily reminder to the families of those who have loved ones serving in our military... doing what their country has asked of them.  Between the time this is written and other eyes read these words, more Americans will fall in Iraq.  More families will receive a solemn visit to let them know their loved one – a spouse, a father or mother, a son or daughter - won’t be returning home.

It is time that Austin and Texas re-vitalize and recognize what Memorial Day is truly about.  It is time that we reflect and observe the price that has been paid.  And it is a time for us to gather and celebrate those freedoms for which many, in the words of Abraham Lincoln “... gave the last full measure of devotion”.

This Memorial Day observance and concert is certain to become an important, major event within the “fabric” that makes Austin, Texas such a great city, for many years to come... as we take time to remember.

We hope you will choose to join us as a sponsor for this day that will be both a time to reflect upon and then enjoy some of the incredible freedoms that are ours in America. 
 
Lest we forget the reason for observing Memorial Day...

"...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God, ...and that government of the people by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth."

^{Abraham Lincoln,
November 19, 1863 - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania}

“...let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan...”

^{From General Orders No. 11, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868
By order of General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief
Grand Army of the Republic}

“...So to the indifferent inquirer who asks why Memorial Day is still kept up we may answer, it celebrates and solemnly reaffirms from year to year a national act of enthusiasm and faith. It embodies in the most impressive form our belief that to act with enthusiasm and faith is the condition of acting greatly.... I believe from the bottom of my heart that our memorial halls and statues and tablets, the tattered flags of our regiments gathered in the Statehouses, are worth more to our young men by way of chastening and inspiration than the monuments of another hundred years of peaceful life could be.
But even if I am wrong, even if those who come after us are to forget all that we hold dear, and the future is to teach and kindle its children in ways as yet unrevealed, it is enough for us that this day is dear and sacred...”

^{Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Address delivered for Memorial Day, May 30, 1884}

& THE EVENTS

Event Date:  Monday – May 31st, 2010

CAPITAL OF TEXAS OLYMPIC TRIATHLON... The “people’s” race is an Olympic Distance event for non-professionals athletes of all ages.  A one mile swim (1.5K), a 24 mile bike (40K), and a 6.2 mile run (10K) make up the distances of this event.  The event takes place over various courses for each discipline with the bike and run portions having multiple loops, making it “spectator friendly”.  The event begins, centers around and ends along the banks of Town Lake in downtown Austin at beautiful Auditorium Shores.  The event will be “capped” at a total of 1500 participants and is projected to fill to capacity well in advance of the event date.

CAPITAL OF TEXAS SPRINT TRIATHLON... Taking place concurrently with the longer Olympic Distance, The Sprint Triathlon opens the doors for increased participation by individuals not quite ready for the longer distance Capital of Texas Olympic Triathlon.  Half the distance, it also provides a spectator friendly atmosphere in a one-of-a kind downtown race venue.  The event will be “capped” at a total of 1000 participants and is projected to fill to capacity well in advance of the event date.  The combined total of these two events taking place at once will make it one of the five largest triathlon events in the country.

CAPITAL OF TEXAS FIRST TRI... Taking place concurrently with the longer Sprint Distance, The First Tri opens the doors for increased participation by individuals not quite ready for the longer distance Capital of Texas Sprint Triathlon.  Half the distance, it also provides a spectator friendly atmosphere in a one-of-a kind downtown race venue.  The event will be “capped” at a total of 500 participants and is projected to fill to capacity well in advance of the event date.  The combined total of these three events taking place at once will make it one of the five largest triathlon events in the country.

CAPITAL OF TEXAS TRIATHLON PRO CUP... the premier race event of the day. This Olympic Distance event will be for professional triathletes only, and is certain to become one of the premier, elite triathlon events in the United States and eventually, the world.  The “thoroughbreds” of the sport of triathlon will be racing head to head through downtown Austin, Texas. Capital of Texas Triathlon Pro Cup will provide exciting and highly visible racing by what many consider, the fittest athletes in the world.  It will take place over a multi-loop course with multiple passes back through the “arena”, spectator area on Auditorium Shores.  Substantial cash prize purse and television coverage are all being sought as part of the event. 

CAPITAL OF TEXAS TRIATHLON MILTARY PHYISCALLY CHALLENGED CHAMPIONSHIP… This event will run in conjunction with our other events. We have joined forces with our Military branches to host this championship. We will be working with the Military to bring several wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan to participate in this championship. Our main charity is the Wounded Solider Fund.

CAPITAL OF TEXAS TRIATHLON DOGGIE DUATHLON…The event will be Sunday morning on Auditorium Shores. The Austin Community will swim with there dogs and then run along beautiful Riverside Drive. This should be an exciting time for all in Austin.

CAPITAL OF TEXAS TRIATHLON KIDS K…The event will follow the Doggie Duathlon and will add the Kids component to the weekend.

CAPITAL OF TEXAS TRIATHLON COOKOFF…This event will take place on Saturday of Memorial Weekend. We are hosting the Austin area church cook-off to feed the hungry along with many of the top BBQ cook-off teams from around the nation will cook Austin style to raise funds to feed the hungry.

CAPITAL OF TEXAS TRIATHLON PARTNERSHIPS… We have partnered with several groups this year. We will be donating a portion of the funds to Wounded Soldier’s Fund to help our men and women injured in combat. We will work with Austin Park and Recreation to sponsor an Austin Landmark on Auditorium Shores to raise awareness and give back to our community. We will donate funds for the Go for Gold Foundation which helps fund our Olympic teams for triathlon through scholarships to colleges. We will also be assisting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training in raising funds. We have many more community partners who will benefit by the Capital of Texas Triathlon.

 Past Press Release

April 30, 2009

For Immediate Release

For more information contact: Rick Margiotta rick@captextri.com

The Capital of Texas Triathlon Celebrates 19 Consecutive Years
The Capital of Texas Triathlon, also known as the CapTexTri, has been swimming, biking, and running around Austin since 1991, making it one of Austin’s oldest endurance sports events. The swim, bike, and run courses all center around Lady Bird Lake and Congress Avenue, making this a very popular event with athletes and spectators alike. The unique urban setting of downtown Austin and the Texas
Capital, has brought national recognition to the event and it has become known as the Premier Texas Triathlon.

For 2009, the Capital of Texas Triathlon has added an Olympic style event, featuring professional and National Team triathletes racing in an exciting multiple lap format. The CapTexTri Pro Cup will follow the age group triathlon events on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th.
The Capital of Texas Triathlon has long been a contributor to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, having donated over $70,000 in past years. This year the event, in seeking to promote its commitment to the Memorial Day celebration, has partnered with another beneficiary, The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project
(http://www.dsusa.org/). The WWDSP provides adaptive equipment, sports training, and travel accommodations to sporting events to combat veterans severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Capital of Texas Triathlon hopes to bring in 10 – 20 of these supported athletes, plus additional disabled military triathletes due to its designation as the USA Triathlon Physically Challenged Military Championship.

Press Release

May 1, 2009

For Immediate Release

For more information contact: Rick Margiotta rick@captextri.com

The Capital of Texas Triathlon Honors Our Wounded Warriors

The Capital of Texas Triathlon (www.captextri.com) as part of their partnership with the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project is sponsoring 11 disabled military athletes into this year’s event. All of these special Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will participate in the
triathlon and will be receiving support from their comrades from Lackland Air Force Base, Camp Mabry, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, and the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic. The participation of these military athletes and military volunteers highlights the Memorial
Day commitment made by the event, the sponsors, the organizers, the athletes, all of the civilian volunteers, and the thousands of spectators who are expected at this year’s event in downtown Austin.
The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project (http://www.dsusa.org/) provides adaptive equipment, sports training, and travel accommodations to sporting events to combat veterans severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Wounded Warriors participating in the 2009 CapTexTri are:

Larry Hicks, Pike Road, Alabama
Evan Morgan, Bakersfield, California
Patty Collins, Alexandria, Virginia
Tracy Reep, Grand Prairie, Texas
Anthony Smith, Armorel, Arkansas
Michael Paul, Los Angeles, California
Derek McGinnis, Waterford, California
Jason Waterhouse, Dupont, Washington
Jose Ramos, Alexandria, Virginia
Jeffrey Hanson, Herlin, Alabama
Bacillio Eric Santenella, San Antonio, Texas

.......................................................................

.