Although this event was Jerry and Trudy's (midwestevents) creation, in 2006 the community stepped in to assist with the production. Many of you know, J&T as the creators of the Best Of The US RACE, and with that gigantic endeavor in its infancy, we knew they wanted a little help keeping the banquet alive. A committee of Die hard Tri geeks was formed (jerry included), and we've been running the show ever since.
Here are a few highlight on tap for the evening:
HUNTER KEMPER : First of ALL, we have an amazing guest speaker; Hunter had an amazing 7th place finish in Beijing in August, which was his third Olympic games. In addition to being a three-time Olympian, Kemper is a six-time US Elite National Champion, 2005 United States Olympic Committee's Sportsman of the Year, 2005 World Ranked #1, and 2003 Pan American Games Gold Medalist. And he's coming right here to Minnesota to talk to you, bringing some really cool one of a kind items to auction off for his favorite charity. Bring your Kleenex and your checkbook, you may never get another chance like this.
The MENU: Most ingredients are organic and/or sustainable. Think about how much you would pay for this food, and with a $30 ticket price. It's like we're paying you to show up! Appetizers include: Lox, Small chicken Skewers, Cheese Tray,Fruit Tray, and The Dinner Buffet includes: Gumbo w/dirty rice, Roasted Butternut squash soup w/ candied pecans, Thai Carrot Ginger Soup (Vegan) , Roasted Pork roulade Chef Carved w/ jus, Seared Sole Roulades w/ vin blanc, Braised Pearl Barley, Tabbouleh w/Quinoa, Paella of chicken, shellfish and linguica, Grill roasted vegetables with pine nut pesto, Jerk chicken and tofu , Caribbean fried rice, Spinach salad with smoked tomato vinaigrette, blue cheese and bacon, Endive Salad with roasted shallot vinaigrette and toasted walnuts, Assorted Dinner Rolls and herbed butter , Assorted dessert trays. ANYONE HUNGRY YET?
The RAFFLE: You must attend to win the stuff. Our awesome sponsors have donated over $3000 of prizes for you to win. Things like Louis Garneau custom molded carbon tri shoes, custom foot beds, fit kits, aero helmets, Speedplay pedals, thermic footbeds (nice toasty feet warmers with rechargeable battery), wetsuits. and all other kinds of stuff like free entries to races, etc.
The ATTENDEES: You will get a chance to mingle with many of your friends and competitors in a super setting where no one is wearing spandex (at least not the tri suit kind). Make some new friends for off season and next season training and socializing. Triathlon is a lifestyle and it's the people that make it fun. Come experience it even if this is your first year in triathlon, over half the attendees at any given event will be newbie's and Tri Night 2008 is no exception. Who' knows what's in store for you: I know at least one couple who met on Tri Night (LARS & EMILY/married in KONA in 2006)!
The AWARDS: Although this may sound a little crazy, I credit this banquet (specifically the work of Jerry and Trudy), for the majority of my triathlon specific development. I remember receiving a call from the famous Jerry McNeil 6 years ago inviting me to the Banquet. Awards are presented Academy awards style, and I had received a nomination for Rookie of the year. Although I did not win the award, and despite knowing very few people in the tri community, I had a wonderful time. As the awards were presented for Triathlete of the Year, Duathlete of the Year, Master of the year etc. and I watched the amazing athletes (Jan Guenther, Emily Deppe, Kim Fordham-Lien) graciously accept their awards, I found myself thinking about how I could get myself back on the nomination list the following year. Then I heard it...The Most improved award...That was it:: It had become MY motivation to figure out this crazy sport... and for that I am so grateful!!
This year, we've added a few meaningful Peoples Choice Awards. These awards are voted on my the community and include: Volunteer of the Year, Spirit of Triathlon, Most Enthusiastic Rookie, and Best Race Swag.
I've also received word that the Thorpe Running Inspiration award will BE A REAL Tear jerker this year...I guarantee you, you DON"T want to miss this!!!!
The PARTY: ...just trust me on this one! See you there. a few photos from Tri Night 2007.
Tri night 2007-based on Julie's baseball cap, i'm pretty sure this was at the end of the evening.
Our hotel room Pre banquet.
SWAT team member JL. LOVE you girl.
