2017 ITU TRI World Championship

Hi, My name is Brendan Atkins from Old Lyme CT.

I'm looking to raise money so I can race in the 2017 ITU Standard Distance World Championship in Rotterdam, Netherlands September 14-17. Which I qualify for by finishing in the top 18 in my age group 30-34 at the USA National Triathlon Championship in Omaha, Nebraska back on August 13, 2016.

The 3,500 will cover

1. Airplane Ticket
2. 5 Nights at a hotel
3. Food
4. transportation

Any money left over I will give back to Old Lyme Public Schools and Westbrook YMCA. I will need the money within 6-7 months so I can plan as early as possible which will help save money as well.

To be honest I never had any desire to be a triathlete. I've always been a big runner. Running has always been a relief for my OCD and anxiety issues. I got injured training for a marathon and couldn't run for a couple of months. I needed to do something active to keep me out of trouble. So one day my neighbor Candace



suggest joining the local Westbrook Ymca Tri-Club. My first step was to learn how to swim correctly which was a real struggle at first and ended up taking private swimming lesson with James Johnstone who was a big help. I struggled with biking as well. I just didn't have a lot of power and I was scared to ride down hill in aero position. At one point I thought about quitting the Ymca Tri-Club because I was getting frustrated. But what kept me going was the people in the Ymca Tri-Club, Some of the most kind hearted spirited people that I have ever met before. We became a family over time and slowly I started to grow as a triathlete. And after a long cold winter with many pool workouts and biking indoors the spring started to come around and the triathlon season was about to begin.

I thought my first season as a triathlete was pretty successful finishing in the top 10 % percent in all of my races and qualify for The USA National Championship in Omaha, Nebraska .

My second year as a triathlete I made some changes. I hired a Triathlete coach Jon Fecik out of Branford CT. Jon is a Professional Triathlete and knows what it takes to be the best. I want to be the best triathlete I can be and complete on the highest level possible as an amateur. My dream is to become a Professional triathlete one day and I think that is a realistic goal. I've been working with Jon now for almost a year now. I'm in the best shape of my life and have been injured free. I have just race in the USA National Championship in Omaha, Nebraska and came in 32 overall and 6 in my age group which qualifies me for 2017 ITU Standard Distance World Championship in Rotterdam, Netherlands September 14-17.

I have a love for this sport and have a strong will to become the best triathlete I can possibly be. To make the 2017 ITU Standard Distance World Championship in Rotterdam, Netherlands a reality I need your help whether it's a 1 or 10 dollar donate I would be utmost
grateful for any donate you can give


Thank You

Brendan Atkins