Mid Maryland Triathlon Club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mid Maryland Triathlon Club (MMTC) is a club based in Columbia, Maryland. The Club focuses on promoting the sport of triathlon and encouraging participation in a healthy lifestyle. MMTC arranges training events throughout the year and supports members at area races with tent services. MMTC members compete and volunteer at numerous events throughout the racing season. Although it does sponsor training events with paid coaches, it is not a coaching service.
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[edit] Origins
Founded in late 2002, the Mid Maryland Triathlon Club is a USA Triathlon (USAT)-sanctioned, not-for-profit group dedicated to helping area triathletes. It's members include all levels of athletes from novices looking for support before completing their first triathlon, to veterans of Ironman competition. The club is run by the members who organize all the activities, social events, clinics, and workouts. Club workouts and clinics are geared to multisport athletes of all abilities.
Mid Maryland Triathlon Club is a member of USA Triathlon in the Mid Atlantic region. MMTC members are not required to be members of USAT however participation in most races requires a USAT license.
Mid Maryland Triathlon Club has an organizational license plate from the State of Maryland. It features the club's logo and "TRI" vertically beside the logo. The State of Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) produces these plates for organizations of more than 25 members. The plate is available to any club member through the MVA.
[edit] Meetings
The Club meets on the first Monday of every month. Meetings are held at Princeton Sports in Columbia, MD, (10730 Little Patuxent Parkway) at 8:15 pm. Although this is billed as a "members" meeting, it is open to anyone interested in the sport of Triathlon or any of its component parts. There is never a charge for meetings and the atmosphere is collegial and relaxed. Each month the club invites a different speaker each to address the group on topics ranging from health issues to training to personal accounts of racing and training. Club meetings are highly social events and are an important way for members to maintain contact with each other throughout the year.
In addition to monthly meetings the club also has training events that become and parties throughout the year. Club 'Bric-n-Pic' events involve a bike/run brick followed by a picnic-style get-together afterward. Run-bike-run events are led by a volunteer member-at-large who plans times and routes and tracks participants. All club events have a variety of skill levels involved and tend to be supportive of all participant
[edit] Club Leadership
The Mid Maryland Triathlon Club is a not-for-profit, volunteer, community-based organization. The elected Board, appointed committee chairs, and members-at-large, all volunteer their time and talents. This benefits the club, members, the sport and the community.
The Board of Directors is elected by the members. Since the Board of Directors come from the membership, they usually have extensive experience in the sport but the Board is not an inner circle of Ironman athletes. Elections occur annually at the December meeting and the purpose of that meeting is more of less limited to the election. Elected leaders are members in good standing who have been in the club for a year. They must also be a triathlete participating in at least one triathlon per year. Any member in good standing at of the time of the election may run for office and vote.
[edit] Elected Positions
There are currently seven elected positions at Mid Maryland Triathlon Club
- President
- Vice-President
- Treasurer
- Communications Officer
- Secretary
- Promotions & Apparel Officer
- Webmaster
Committees may be arranged at any time on an ad-hoc basis. They have a narrow focus and are used throughout the spectrum of triathlon activities. These groups of volunteers typically set up a club tent at events, plan transportation or monitor club specific events, such as providing a safety kayak during a club swim.
Current and past officers and photographs are listed on MMTC's Officers page.
[edit] Relationship With Sponsors
Mid Maryland Triathlon Club has a very close relationship with it’s sponsors. In addition to funds many of the sponsors contribute materially in other ways. Princeton Sports in Columbia, Maryland, provides a location for monthly meetings and hosts training events like bicycle maintenance classes. Columbia Triathlon Association (CTA) is the organization that put on the Columbia, Eagleman and Chesapeakeman triathlons. CTA's Robert Vigorito has contributed free race entries, been a visiting speaker and donated free training to the club.
[edit] References
- Steinbach, Greg; Richters, Eriks & Hicks, Grant. Mid Maryland Triathlon Club. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
- Conrad, Andrew (September 20, 2007), “The Iron Lady”, The Columbia Flier, <http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=658&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1302488&om=1>.
Columbia Flier (print and online) article about MMTC's former President, Sadj Bartolo. - Rudolph, Dawn (November 2, 2006), “Riders, Drivers Have To Learn To Be On The Road Together”, The Columbia Flier, <http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=658&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1226609&om=1>. Letter to the editor of the Columbia Flier (print and online). Note: this section is slightly past the midpoint on the page.
[edit] Links
The following organizations have close and longstanding relationships to MMTC.
- Princeton Sports website
- Columbia Triathlon Association website
- Adventures for the Cure website. A charitable organization that raises awareness of diabetes and funds for diabetes research.
Links to USA Triathlon pages referencing MMTC.