Gloucester Triathlon / Message from the Founder

I am thrilled that you will be joining us for the inaugural Gloucester Triathlon!

This event has been a dream of mine for many years and I am looking forward to watching each and every one of you in action on August 9th. Co-Founder and Race Director Bill Burnett and I have laid out a great course that highlights the natural beauty of America's oldest fishing port, my beloved hometown of Gloucester, Massachusetts. I hope that you'll take the time to explore all that Gloucester has to offer while you're here, and invite you to learn more about Gloucester's maritime history by visiting any number of our many museums and waterfront attractions.

Like you, I am very passionate about the sport of triathlon and am honored to help usher in what is sure to be a very successful and exciting new race venue. Bill and I have gone out of our way to ensure that the race course proves to be both athlete and spectator friendly and are confident that the event will be one that both you and your friends and family will want to return to for years to come.

Competition: We've assembled a stellar elite field that boasts some of the best Pro/Elite triathletes in the U.S., so you can rest assured that although the course itself might be considered challenging, the competition you'll face on race day will undoubtedly be much tougher! This being said, get ready for fast competition, an "honest" race course and a thrilling finish that will take place in historic downtown Gloucester.

I am extremely proud of the fact that, along with race related fundraising drives, a portion of the Gloucester Triathlon proceeds will help to support the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association and the Wellspring House in conjunction with the Pine Street Inn.

The GFAA is a non-profit organization that was founded to contribute to the support of Gloucester's public schools, in particular the support for athletic sports and related activities for the youth of Gloucester.
The Pine Street Inn is a non-profit organization committed to men, women, and children in need of shelter, sustenance, and the basic moral and material supports necessary to lead a dignified and stable life.
Like the Pine Street Inn, the Gloucester based Wellspring House works to meet basic human needs, and participate in social change through the provision of emergency shelter for families, education, job training, affordable housing and family support programs.

This commitment to charity is in staying with the moral code of Gloucester's greatest sea-faring hero, the legendary Howard Blackburn, a man who went out of his way to "pay forward" the generosity that was extended to him by others during his darkest hours, by providing for those in need.

Wishing you all the best as you prepare for the '09 Tri Season!

Janda Ricci-Munn
Co-Founder
Gloucester Triathlon