The AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) honored an integral part of its pastmarathonersand then immediately looked to the future.
With more than 25 runners of all shapes and sizes, ages and ethnicities standing on stage Nov. 12 at the University of Chicago's Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza, AFC President Mark Ishaughimself a multi-time AIDS marathonerofficially announced Train 2 End AIDS. Also known as T2, this is AFC's new official endurance-training program.
After seven years, AFC ended its affiliation with the National AIDS Marathon Training Program ( NAMTP ) . Gone are NAMTP's familiar yellow training shirts, replaced by the red and black of T2.
"Train to End AIDS, or T2 for short, is a new endurance-training program developed by AFC that allows participants to get fit and raise money in the fight against AIDS," said AFC spokesman Johnathon Briggs. "Participants simply choose their challengemarathon, half-marathon or triathlonand T2 staff help them each step of the way by providing professional training, fundraising and nutritional support."
The main difference between T2 and NAMTP is the addition of the triathlon training.
"The local triathlon market is underserved and we know that is a market worth attracting to the fight against AIDS," Briggs said. "We also have many runners-turned-T2-coaches who will help provide participants with a high level of personal attention and professional coaching. People who have ran marathons in support of AFC often talk about the camaraderie they experience with their fellow marathoners. We can be quite a spirited bunch. T2 will expand on that by creating a sense of community across endurance events. Whether they are first-timers or veterans of endurance events, all of our participants really are part of a larger movement to end AIDS."
Added April Whitworth, T2 endurance events coordinator, "There is a huge demand for quality triathlon training in Chicago. Chicago plays host to the largest triathlon in the world. For some, taking on a sport that demands three disciplines, particularly swimming, can be very scary. We will offer a supportive, no-intimidation environment to take participants through all the training necessary to get them to the finish line happy and healthy. Triathlon, also, is a natural progression for marathoners looking for a new challenge."
So what's with the name T2?
"We wanted the name to be multifunctional," Whitworth said. "It needed to be short and to the point enough to be shouted out to participants: 'Go T2!' And we wanted to make sure it was abundantly clear of what the program is: a training program to end AIDS. Straight to the point. Another element that was great about the shortened version, T2, is that it already resonates with the triathlon community. Transition 2, the part of a triathlon when you go from the bike portion to the run, is shortened to T2. I liked the double meaning of it: T2 is your last stop before running through the finish line. We believe that the funds raised by our participants will play a role in the fight to finish the AIDS epidemic."
Briggs said there is a chance T2 will expand to train participants for other activities as well, such as century cycling ( bicycling for 100 miles ) , trail running and adventure racing.
T2's new color scheme was not left to chance, either.
"Red is associated with the AIDS awareness ribbon and we figured we'd incorporate that color into our logo," Briggs said. "The tagline for the program is: 'Join the fight to the finish.' It is our mission that the funds raised by our participants will play a role in the fight to finish the AIDS epidemic."
AFC netted more than $4 million over the past seven years through fundraising by NAMTP participants, so honoring them "only made sense," Briggs said. "AFC is truly proud to have served as a beneficiary of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program for the past seven years and enormously grateful to all the runners and individual supporters who helped make the program a huge success over the years. Participants like the ones honored [ Nov. 12 ] are the reason that AFC was able to net more than $4 million through marathon training. Those funds have supported our housing, case management, prevention and policy programs that advance our mission to end new HIV infections and improve the lives of people with HIV/AIDS. We couldn't possibly thank them enough."
Ryan Singleton, a first-time AIDS marathoner in 2009 who finished the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Oct. 11 in about 3:30, spoke on behalf of all runners.
"The endurance training program truly is a vital part of our work as a foundation," Briggs said. "We specialize in funding and coordinating prevention, care and advocacy projects. And all of our development activitiesWorld of Chocolate, AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, Dance for Life and, now, T2help raise the money necessary to prevent new infections and improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. [ In 2009, ] more than 400 runners raised more than $400,000 net for AFC. We'd love to see T2 attract hundreds more participants so that we can continue to make a difference. In this economy, the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS is greater than ever before."
So how will T2 differ from other training programs next summer along the lakefront?
"The individualized attention that participants will receive from our coaching staff," Whitworth said. "There's a great deal of detail and sport specific guidance that takes place between coach and athlete. Our program will see that each participant performs at their personal best and has a lot of fun in the process."
T2 coaches Katie Wargula, Darren Dunbar, Dan Lantvit and Richard Cordova were among those honored at AFC's annual meeting.
Briggs confirmed that T2 will not train runners for any out-of-state marathons in 2010, but the group is not eliminating travel marathons from its future plans.
"It's our first year out with a new program, so we want to focus on the local marathon, half-marathon and triathlon events," Briggs said. "We are, however, exploring the possibility of training a select group of participants for the 2010 Gay Games, which will be held [ next summer ] in Cologne, Germany.
"We'd love to bring back the travel marathons in 2011. We know that the chance to complete a marathon in Hawaii, Amsterdam or Italy, for example, appealed to many participants, so we certainly won't rule it out."
T2 will partner with TriMonster and Fitness Formula Clubs for the triathlon training portion of its program. "TriMonster has an amazing track record of providing exceptional training to its athletes. Fitness Formula Clubs gives our participants a great place to train indoors," Whitworth said.
For more information on T2's 2010 season, go to www.t2ea.com .