Rotarian raises over $100K with ultra-triathlon challenge
By Marya Smith
The Rotarian
Glidden's three-day challenge had him swimming, running, biking - and, for very brief periods, resting.
What kind of person would contemplate swimming, biking, and running nearly 500 miles in three days? Ask Jeff Glidden, who not only dreamed up the challenge but did it.
“I wanted to find a way to raise $100,000 for The Rotary Foundation without any overhead costs, so that 100 percent of donations could go directly to helping people,” says Glidden, of the Rotary Club of the Spokane Valley (Opportunity), Wash., USA.
An experienced endurance athlete, the 44-year-old came up with a grueling one-man ultra-distance triathlon challenge totaling 482 miles. The course covered District 5080 from north to south, starting in Golden, B.C., Canada, continuing through the U.S. state of Idaho, and ending in Kennewick, Wash. “I figured the harder it was, the more support it would get,” he explains.
To put Glidden’s accomplishment in perspective, the Ironman distance triathlon – which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run – has been called the most difficult race in the world. Glidden completed the equivalent of more than three Ironman distance triathlons in three days, swimming 8.2 miles, biking 384.2 miles, and running 89.6 miles from 31 May to 2 June.
“Luckily, I had no physical or mechanical mishaps, not even a flat tire,” Glidden says.
Nevertheless, he faced many challenges. Swimming in the 48-degree Fahrenheit waters of Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille, Glidden struggled with hypothermia despite his wet suit. At the other extreme, one segment of his running route took Glidden on a freshly paved road, and with the thermometer topping 105 degrees, the tar melted into his shoes, adding extra weight with every step.
Glidden timed his challenge to arrive in Kennewick on Saturday evening for the closing banquet of District 5080’s annual conference. Exhausted but elated, he entered the ballroom with US$65,000 pledged to the Foundation.
“When Jeff ran onto the stage with his two sons carrying the American and Canadian flags, the crowd erupted with cheers,” recalls Tom Halazon, 2006-07 district governor. “We announced his staggering achievement and within 20 minutes were overwhelmed with $35,000 in checks, cash, and pledges. Everyone wanted this amazing young man to meet his goal.”
Additional donations continue to come in, topping $120,000 in late September, Glidden reported.
“It was a superhuman feat,” says Jennifer Cowan, of the Rotary Club of Nelson, B.C., who created Glidden’s promotional poster. “He showed that one person can make a difference.”
Learn how to donate at www.rotarytrichallenge.com.