GET FIT AND HELP THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE WITH ALL TRI; SIGN-UP AND INFO SESSION SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, AT 10:30 A.M.

SMU triathlon coach/instructor joins All Tri team to provide professional training for a triathlon or marathon, even for those who’ve never attempted to run, swim or bike

DALLAS (January 26, 2011) – All Tri, a non-profit organization that trains participants to complete a triathlon or marathon while helping them raise money for the cause of their choice, will hold a sign-up and information session at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 29, at Churchill Recreation Center, located at 6906 Churchill Way in Dallas. New coach David Bertrand, who currently teaches in SMU’s Applied Physiology & Wellness Department and coaches its beginning and intermediate triathlon programs, will be introduced at the meeting. Also on hand will be members of the All Tri Tribe to share their inspiring stories of evolving from overweight, out-of-shape and out-of-sorts types into successful athletes who achieved both their personal and charitable goals.

All Tri was founded in 2008 by a handful of people who met through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program and saw an opportunity to expand the philanthropy+fitness model. In two short years, the up-and-coming charity has raised more than $180,000 for nonprofits of every size, ranging from literacy and global warming to women’s shelters and the arts.

“All Tri is a triple whammy – you get in great shape by benefiting from top-notch, very safe training; you raise money for a cause close to your heart; and you create incredible friendships,” said Laura Reed Martin, chair of All Tri and a newbie triathlete who raised over $7,000 for Jonathan’s Place.

In 2011, All Tri will train and send participants to complete one of three endurance events – 5150 New Orleans, an Olympic-distance triathlon May 15; Calgary Marathon or a 13.1-mile half marathon May 29 in Canada; and the Platri Festival, an Olympic-distance triathlon or sprint-distance triathlon June 5 in nearby Irving. The triathlon events involve a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run, and the sprint triathlon involves a 500-meter swim, 12-mile bike and 5K run. The marathon is 26.2 miles, and the half-marathon is 13.1 miles.

"I went from couch potato to crusader for All Tri. I’ve participated in every All Tri training program since I took that very first, very difficult step, but the motivation came easy knowing my efforts benefit the Wilkinson Center, a charity for which I care deeply,” said Tim Corley, who has raised more than $5,000 for the charity since completing his very first triathlon. “The primary basis of 'your fitness' tied together with 'your cause' gives one motivation to reach outside of our ordinary lives and do something good – something great."

Reed Martin added that All Tri is a great way for small charities to raise money.

“To have the ability for a single person to raise a couple thousand dollars and give it to a small charity is really powerful,” said Reed Martin. “Our participants support a wide range of causes, but presenting a check to a small charity really means a lot.”

She says All Tri will benefit greatly from the deep professional expertise that David Bertrand brings to the organization. A Level II USA Triathlon-certified coach, Bertrand spent a week at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs last year to further his knowledge. He holds a master’s degree in Health & Human Performance from Baylor University. Through the Beginning Triathlon course at SMU, Bertrand led over 100 students to their first triathlon. Last year he created and led the nation’s first Intermediate Triathlon course, giving SMU students the opportunity to complete an Olympic-distance triathlon for college credit. Bertrand also coaches triathletes with a local multi-sport company, Playtri, where he created the successful Group Training Program.

“One of the biggest challenges is that people don’t think they can do it or they’re afraid they’ll get hurt,” said Reed Martin. “David’s specialty is helping people realize they can succeed whether they’re a first-timer or a veteran athlete.”

All Tri helps participants identify and reach a minimum fundraising goal to help cover the out-of-pocket costs of training, including event travel expenses, race entry fees, bike shipments for triathlons, a pre-race carbo-loading dinner, an online training tool with a customized training program, a training coach, group swim workout facilities for triathlons, and more. The minimum fundraising goal varies based on the chosen event.

Participants must pay a $150 registration fee, which provides for face-to-face training and virtual coaching. (The $150 registration does not count toward minimum fundraising goals.) Participants are responsible for whatever personal equipment is required for their training program (such as running shoes and, if training for a triathlon, bicycle, swim goggles and bike helmet) and their individual training activity (such as access to a pool).

To support its athletes, All Tri also provides a wealth of fundraising tools and resources, including a Fundraising 101 guide, 101 Ways to Raise Money, donation receipts, suggested recruitment letters, sales tax exempt form, Social Networking Tips and Tools to Increase Participation and Fundraising, All Tri’s notification letter from the IRS; and more.

For more information about All Tri, please send an email to info@alltri.org or go to alltri.org.