February 2025
President's Corner
A word from VAS President - Dan Foutz
To all our supporters, athletes, coaches, sponsors, and volunteers,
Well, it’s already February of 2025 and that pesky little groundhog saw his shadow. Phil bestowed upon us 6 more weeks of winter. As I type out this President’s Corner, I look out my office window and see a wintery mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Yeah, this year the old groundhog was right. But wait a minute, we do have something to celebrate this month. Valentine’s Day! I hope you are planning to do something nice for your sweetheart. This month’s spotlight article features a couple in our triathlon community. Chris and Kathy Davis talk about how triathlon training brought them together. Our first event for this year is 3 on 3 Wheelchair Basketball March 15th at the Roanoke College Bast Center. We added this event last year as part of our Virginia Commonwealth ABLE Games. Anyone can register, regardless of ability and the specialized chairs are provided by Wheel Love. There is no deadline for registration. All proceeds go to support adaptive sports in the Roanoke area. See our website, here, for more information or to register. The Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon is May 3rd at the SML State Part. It’s time to start your training now and we are looking forward to a record attendance. As always, we appreciate your support and participation. Continue to train, practice, and prepare and I look forward to seeing you all out there!
Dan Foutz
First in Line
2025 Virginia Commonwealth Games dates are set for most sports and so begins the process of participants planning their schedules to compete and enjoy the festivities. While the 30+ sports haven’t begun yet, we already have a winner to announce (okay, so it isn’t really a competition, but we still think it’s cool). The category of “First participant to register for the Commonwealth Games” goes to Rick Ashburn, a 70-year-old bowler from Chesapeake, VA.
Here is what Rick has to say about how he started competing in the Virginia Commonwealth Games:
I have bowled (occasionally) since I was in my teens. I couldn’t bowl regularly because I worked shift work. In 2005, I severely broke my leg, so I figured my bowling days were over. In 2016, I decided to try to see if I could still bowl. Surprisingly, there wasn’t any pain when bowling, so in 2017, I joined a league. After bowling a few years, I decided I wanted to try several tournaments. I came across the Commonwealth Games via the internet. This year will be my third year competing. The event works out well as I have relatives in the area that I can visit while I'm there.
I just turned 70 and while I’m not a 200 avg bowler (yet), I feel that I’m bowling better than I ever have. I’m looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in July!
Seeking Highly Motivated,
Sports-Minded Summer Interns!
Check out our Summer Internship Program with opportunities to gain hands on experience and knowledge of the sports industry and events. Internships are May-August, with some flexible positions
Positions available:
Marketing/Event Management Operations/Media Relations & Social Media Games/Sport Logistics
Sales Intern
Deadline for applications is March 9th.
To apply or for more information visit: https://bit.ly/35bOt98
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Cupid Hits The Mark
Cupid doesn’t always use a bow and arrow. The little winged one sometimes settles for a couple of hours in an Applebee’s with a deep, soul-searching conversation about bicycles and running shoes. And Facebook. The year was 2016, so Facebook had to be part of it.
As Valentine’s Day 2025 rolls around and people take account of their romantic situation, the Roanoke area triathlon community has a great love story front and center. Chris and Kathy Davis, who are six years married, are there for each other and for all those who do training for, competing in, and volunteering for triathlons a major part of their lives.
Look for them at the Smith Mountain Lake triathlon, a sprint event that will be held May 3. “It’s one of our favorite races,” Kathy said,” We just love the intimacy of it. I think it's a great introductory race for new racers.”
She’s right. But let’s return to the story.
Using the Way Back Machine, we see Christmas Eve 2016, Kathy is visiting her parents in Bedford for the holiday, six hours from her home in Delaware. New to triathlons but enthused by the scene, she finds a Facebook group, “Ironman Singles.” Don’t think of it as a swipe-right site.
“It's really like a networking site so if you're like single and going to a race or you want to find someone to ride with or train,” Kathy said. “It's for like-minded people.”
She saw a post from Roanoke and, after a few more days in the area, reached out to the Roanoke resident to see about a meet-up. Chris Davis accepted. They met at Applebee’s in Bedford and talked all things triathlon for three hours. At the end of the evening, Kathy said goodbye and thought that was that. Chris had other ideas. (Read More)
Register Here!
The Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon has a new Title Sponsor
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