Thanks to the efforts of Bill and Marianne Swann, volunteer coordinators for this year’s Xterra Atlantic Cup event,  athletes were well hydrated, stayed on course  and  remained  at ease about leaving their high dollar equipment in the transition area !

Bill  and Marianne have been instrumental in the trail maintenance and development aspect of mountain biking in Richmond for years . .   This year with members of a new club they formed , Richmond Adventure Sports and Racing (ASR) “Swannee”  led his team of hard worker bees into the trails to ensure safe riding for all athletes – and what an awesome job they did!!  Safe riding for all!!  I know you can’t take out the hills…. I never took a fall…but  then again…  Julia doesn’t “commit” outside her comfort zone  as an “off – roadie ” !!

Marianne and xterra athletes at EX2, Maryland

I’ve know Marianne and Bill for quite some time now and it is such a joy to see them each time I get back down to Richmond for another triathlon. or at another xterra event – Bill is an accomplished athlete racing back in early 80′s (whoa didn’t mean to make you seem old… feel better..look at me!!  hey…it’s on your website anyway! )  He has raced many Xterra events and  he qualified for Xterra Worlds in 2003  (His 1st Off Road Multisport race – He has been an Xterra ambassador,  and  5 time  Xterra Mid Atlantic Region Champion!!  I noticed he wasn’t racing this year when I saw him cheering me on as I emerged from half the  swim for a short jog across an island before jumping back into the swift James river .   I knew something wasn’t right!! Bill is passionate about XTERRA!! What is he doing  NOT racing!!!  This year he is sidelined as he awaits surgery for a  plantar fascia release – ouchie  – bummer – best of luck Bill .

Marianne, his sweet wife  is also a  passionate mountain biker.  She is the Trail Care Liaison for Richmond ASR.   I don’t understand why she won’t race triathlons…maybe it’s the swim – I forget – but she hammers on the bike – and since we are in the same age group now (as she matter of factly braught up on Sunday!) …yea, she’d be a threat * sigh * .  These two make a great team and rest assured , you are on safe trails knowing they are  at the “root” of it all  —– oh,  is there a pun in there ?  Hugz to you both for a stellar job and for keeping all the ivy off me – anything I got was not from your trails – I know for a factoid !!!    Check out their blog site