The training beaches in Coronado of past and current Navy SEALS will provide the setting for the country’s oldest and longest running triathlon, SUPERFROG XXXIII presented by “Act of Valor”, on Sunday, September 11th. This year’s event is being held on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in order to honor the 71 Navy SEALS and Naval Special Warfare personnel who gave their lives in combat and training in support of the global war on terrorism. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Navy Seal Foundation.
Retired Navy SEAL Mitchell Hall is this year’s Race Director and is working closely with Race Founder Moki Martin who established SUPERFROG in 1978. Hall was a SEAL team member for 21 years and was awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star. The native of Waukegan, Illinois retired in June, 2011 and immediately sought out this opportunity to give back to the SEAL community.
Hall said this year’s SUPERFROG event will focus on the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001. “We are bringing in a piece of one of the fallen World Trade Center buildings”, said Hall, “and spectators will learn about each fallen warrior in our community through tribune banners that feature the hero’s portrait and biography.”
Hall said SUPERFROG XXXIII was close to selling out banner sponsorships at $500 each, but on August 6, 2011 a military helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan killing 22 Navy SEALS. “Sadly, we went from honoring 49 of our own to 71,” said Hall. He added, “Hopefully we will never lose another SEAL member again, but it’s important that we pay tribute to their sacrifice and raise money to benefit their families. Any individual or business that would like to provide sponsorship support is greatly appreciated.”
Event registration is nearing a sellout and is open to civilians, active duty and retired military. The SUPERFROG Triathlon has a two-fold history. First, as a training event to prepare SEALS to do the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. Second, was to encourage the sport of triathlons in the Navy’s Underwater Demolition and SEAL teams where physical training is multi-faceted and the competitive spirit is high. SUPERFROG is a long-distance, traditional swim-bike-run event consisting of 1.2 miles open ocean swim, a 56 mile bike course and a 13.1 mile run. However, the athletic challenges are broken up in a circuit-style that allows for a central control point where start/finish lines, bike/run transition areas, aid stations and spectator views are greatly enhanced.
The events start at 7 a.m. at Naval Special Warfare/Advanced Training Command, 1 Hooper Blvd., Imperial Beach on Sunday, September 11, 2011.
More information about SUPERFROG XXXIII presented by “Act of Valor” can be found at SUPERFROGtriathlon.com
