South Carroll “Tri-to-Win” Triathlon Features Broad Appeal; Regional and National Racers Compete

Westminster, MD – The “sold-out” South Carroll “Tri-to-Win” Sprint Triathlon, sponsored by the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation (JMNMF) on June 17th, has attracted 310 racers from eight states, numerous Maryland-counties, Baltimore City and the District of Columbia. The impressive geographical scope of this race, to begin at 7:00 a.m. at the South Carroll Swim Club in Westminster, MD, includes triathletes from as far away as Minnesota, Florida and N. Carolina and all adjacent states, reflecting the increasing popularity of triathlons throughout the U.S., especially the shorter, “sprint” distance events.

Nearly $20,000 is already raised by “Champion” race participants to support this Carroll County-based foundation that organizes the “Tri-to-Win…the fight against melanoma,” triathlons. Utilizing personal “Champion” fundraising websites emailed to family, friends co-workers and employers from the “TRI-TO-WIN” Fundraising site, the event is the Foundation’s largest fundraising initiative to date.

This fifth annual Father's Day sprint triathlon is an excellent event for the 310 first-timers, and experienced racers, to compete in a family friendly, enthusiastic and well-supported setting. The 400-meter swim stage is expanded this year to utilize both outdoor competition pools at the South Carroll Swim Club, and progresses into the 14-mile bike and 3.1-mile (5K) stages, that showcase the scenic and rolling countryside of southern Carroll County.

Prizes are awarded for overall top female and male finishers, the top three female and male finishers in nine age group brackets and a special category award is bestowed for top Father/Daughter and Father/Son pairings to commemorate the Father’s Day event.

Sprint triathlons, are far less intimidating than the professional and grueling “Ironman” distance events internationally televised from Hawaii and exotic venues throughout the world. The short-course, sprint event serves as an entry point for all ages into the unique field of recreational, multi-sport races that combine swimming, biking and running events into a single race. Those successful and progressing from the sprint distance may want to train for the Foundation’s inaugural “SavageMan” Half-Iron Triathlon to be held on September 16th at Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland, www.savagemantri.org.

Melanoma is the most serious and lethal form of skin cancer. One person dies every hour in the US from melanoma. The incidence rate in Maryland has increased over 300% in the past two decades from 250 cases to over 800 cases per year.

The Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, founded in 2004, maintains an all-volunteer office in the Carroll Non-Profit Center in Westminster, MD. The Foundation is active throughout the state and nationally, most recently co-hosting programs to increase awareness in May as National Melanoma Month and expanding the number of annual Foundation Research Scholar Awards to graduate students at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to advance melanoma research. The tax-deductible triathlon proceeds from “Champion” supporters and, nearly three-dozen, sponsors directly benefit the non-profit charity to further pursue its mission to ‘be the voice for melanoma prevention, detection, care and cure.”

For further information on the “Tri-to-Win” Triathlon, to be held at the South Carroll Swim Club, 1900 Liberty Road, Westminster, MD 21157 (for Mapquest directions) or the Foundation is available at www.melanomaresource.org or by contacting the office at jmnmf@carr.org or (410) 857-4890.

For further information:
Robert Nicolay, JMNMF Chairman Greg Safko, Race Director, Bd. Member
(443) 370-7104 (410) 984-8170

Melanoma Prevention & Safety Tips

The most important step you can take to prevent skin cancer and melanoma is to avoid burning or tanning. Prevention must begin in childhood – most people accumulate approx. 50% of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18.

• Do Not Burn and avoid sun tanning including tanning beds.
o Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds causes skin cancer, including melanoma, and wrinkling.
• Generously Apply Sunscreen to all exposed skin .
o Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15.
o Select a sunscreen that provides "broad spectrum" protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
o Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days and after swimming.
• Wear Protective Clothing such as long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Seek Shade and remember the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Use Extra Caution on Water, Snow and Sand that increase the chance of sunburn.

Early detection of melanoma can save your life. Carefully examine all of your skin once a month. A new or changing mole or skin lesion should be evaluated.

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