VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETE AARON SCHEIDIES CLOSES OUT 2012 TRIATHLON SEASON AT IRONMAN 70.3 AUSTIN WITH OUTSTANDING FINISH
World & National PC Champion to Continue Distance Running Competition in Triathlon Off-season.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2012 – Visually impaired World-class athlete Aaron Scheidies closed out his 2012 triathlon season with a stellar performance at the Ironman 70.3 Austin Triathlon on October 28th in a time of 4:27:41, placing him 38thoverall in a field that consisted of nearly 1900 pros and age-groupers. Thirty-year-old Scheidies, who finished 3rdin his age-group, is a seven-time World Champion and an eight-time triathlon National Champion in the Physically Challenged category, has competed in more than 250 triathlons.
A physical therapist in Seattle, Scheidies will now focus on his long distance running season, which began earlier this month when he clinched another national title at the Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon VI Nationals. Relatively new to the running circuit, Scheidies finished the 13.1 mile run in a time of 1:18:06, beating his personal record by nearly two minutes. He was just 13 minutes behind the overall first-place finisher and almost five minutes faster than the next visually impaired finisher, Matt Rodjom of Alexandria, Virginia.
Scheidies ran his first complete marathon as part of Team Grassroot Soccer at the 2011 New York City Marathon on November 6. He was guided by friend and Reality TV Star Ethan Zohn, who is in remission from two very public battles with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
"Running is so much fun to me and I love the chance to increase my speed and focus simply on my mechanics in one sport, “said Scheidies. “I know that I can continue to challenge myself and put everything in to a 26.2 mile run and leave nothing left in the tank when I’m done.”
“Often sports like triathlon and running are thought of as individual sports. But I have the chance to make them in to a team sport with the aid of my guides acting as my eyes on the course.” Scheidies went on to say, “With each stride I take we run for those who may not be able to.”
In April 2012, despite sweltering 89 degree temperatures at the 116th Boston Marathon held, Scheidies, placed first in the Visually Impaired Division finishing 368th overall out of 22,480, jumping more than 500 racers from his initial rank of 877 going in to race day.
Up next for the 2011 ESPY Award Finalist is the California International Marathon on December 2, where Scheidies is aiming for a repeat performance of 2011 where he took home the title of National Champion for US Association of Blind Athletes in Sacramento, California. Last year, Scheidies finished the 26.2 mile course from Folsom to the state Capitol in Sacramento in 2:48:19, almost two minutes under his personal goal, and just 37 minutes behind the top male, finishing 166th overall out of nearly 6,000 runners.
Scheidies 2013 Tentative Schedule
1/13 Chevron Houston Half Marathon
2/24 Run Rock n’ Roll New Orleans Half Marathon
4/15 BAA Boston Marathon
4/21 ITU WTS San Diego ParaTriathlon Series Race
5/27 USAT ParaTri National Champ CapTex
6/9 Denver Triathlon USAT ParaTriathlon Series
6/22 Run Rock n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon
7/14 Rev3 Tri Portland
8/4 Ironman 70.3 Boulder
9/14 ITU ParaTriathlon World Championships
10/12 Ironman World Championships KONA
12/2 Run Rock n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon
12/2 California International Marathon
About Aaron Scheidies
Aaron Scheidies is a 30-year-old that has overcome more in his short life than many conquer in a lifespan. Born with a hereditary eyecondition that slowly deteriorates his central vision, Aaron now has 10% of the vision of a fully sighted person. Competing in the sport of triathlon for more than a decade, Scheidies began with sprint triathlon and has continued up the triathlon pyramid with 70.3 and full Ironman races. Having traveled around the globe and competing in nearly 200 triathlons, Scheidies is a seven-time triathlon World Champion and an eight-time National Champion. For more information on Aaron please visit www.cdifferentwithaaron.com.
About Gold Standard Sports
Gold Standard Sports is a boutique sports and entertainment marketing and management agency specializing in the brand and image building of professional athletes and talent. Gold Standard guides the careers of each individual through endorsement opportunities, lifestyle pr, marketing and philanthropic outreach. GSS has the unique ability to achieve success for each individual through highly cultivated brand and media relationships. In addition, GSS does casting and talent sourcing for consumer brands looking to connect with athletes and celebrities to bolster marketing and pr campaigns.
About TrendSide PR
TrendSide PR is a custom public relations and marketing agency specializing in brand and personality development of talent and corporations. At TrendSide, it's about more than securing placements in the media. Our goal is to strengthen public perception and create an impactful image that resonates with your target audience. We strive to become your trusted partner who always keeps your best interest top of mind. Using the power of strategic media, TrendSide will help you get the word out about your brand through integrated plans through all media channels.
Contact:
Gold Standard Sports
Carie Goldberg
310-709-7630
carie@goldstandardsports.com
Sandy Peddicord
TrendSide PR
515-554-6934
sandy@trendsidepr.com
Tags:
