Dr. Mike's Doggy Duathlon
Update 10.28
The Doggy Duathlon was a soggy success. RD Bill Shashaty reports that the event raised $7,000 for the Melanoma Research Foundation. More importantly the community came out and showed their love and support for Dr. Mike.
Here's what he had to say:
I would like to thank all of the participants, volunteers, spectators and everyone else involved with the Doggie Duathlon. I am grateful and proud that I have been able to participate in endurance sports for over 25 years. The events that I have always enjoyed and looked forward to like the Ironman, SOS Triathlon, American Zofingen and, yes, the Doggie Duathlon, are events that most people would describe as intense, grueling and a little insane. I am also grateful and proud that while racing these crazy events I have been able to meet amazing people who share my passion for these events. I feel so fortunate that so many close friends are willing to brave the elements on a cold, rainy, miserable day to come out and show support, not to mention the race director who, dressed as a dog, spent the day lifting his leg on trees, wagging his tail and humping peoples' legs.
I take a lot of comfort in knowing that with all of you, and my amazing family, I have the best support system possible. I know that together we can beat this!
Thanks very much! I love you all!
Dr Mike
Photos by Martin Weiner here- https://www.flickr.com/photos/gunker/albums/72157675452970196
Here's what he had to say:
I would like to thank all of the participants, volunteers, spectators and everyone else involved with the Doggie Duathlon. I am grateful and proud that I have been able to participate in endurance sports for over 25 years. The events that I have always enjoyed and looked forward to like the Ironman, SOS Triathlon, American Zofingen and, yes, the Doggie Duathlon, are events that most people would describe as intense, grueling and a little insane. I am also grateful and proud that while racing these crazy events I have been able to meet amazing people who share my passion for these events. I feel so fortunate that so many close friends are willing to brave the elements on a cold, rainy, miserable day to come out and show support, not to mention the race director who, dressed as a dog, spent the day lifting his leg on trees, wagging his tail and humping peoples' legs.
I take a lot of comfort in knowing that with all of you, and my amazing family, I have the best support system possible. I know that together we can beat this!
Thanks very much! I love you all!
Dr Mike
Photos by Martin Weiner here- https://www.flickr.com/photos/gunker/albums/72157675452970196
Photo- downloaded from Facebook. Thank you to the photographer.
~KellieOne of the Most Amazing Human/ Endurance Sport Athletes on the planet.
Bombastic? Yes. True? Also yes.
Mike Halsted, affectionately known as Dr. Mike, is a fixture in the local triathlon, and by extension running, biking, and swimming, communities. It isn’t necessary to go any further than, well me, to hear a story about how Mike’s support and encouragement.
I met Mike, not through sports, but while I was training for my first marathon. He listened enthusiastically to what must have seemed very basic achievements, complaints, and concerns. Then over the years I’ve picked up triathlon as well and found an equal amount of support and encouragement from him .
“I have had the distinct fortune to “Grow Up” under the tutelage of Dr. Mike for the last 18 years," Alex Sherwood, member of the Dr. Mike Fan Club, said. "It’s so easy to look at all the physical accomplishments he has had, but his skill set shines most bright when it comes to being a mentor or resource for others. Mike will do about anything for just about anyone in need”.
It’s equally easy to find dog lovers with tales of how Mike, a veterinarian, helped their four-legged friends.
On Saturday, October 22, the inaugural Dr. Mike’s Doggy Duathlon will kick off in New Paltz. Mike was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. Bill Shashaty, another member of the fan club, is organizing the event as much for the community as for Mike.
“The reason for the race is just to support Mike. To show him how much we care and love him. It will give an outlet to people to help,” Shashaty said. “You want to be able to help the person but you don’t know how. Here’s a way of showing your support. The best thing we can do is probably race.”
The course will be exactly the same course as the Spring Duel for SF; two-miles on the rail trail, then a 12-mile bike down Springtown Road, and the same 2-mile run to finish. It’s an unofficial sister race.
“We expect to have about 100 people. It’ll be a little more intimate than the Spring Duel. And all the money raised will go to the Melanoma Foundation,” Shashaty said. “With the MS a few years back I asked Mike about doing a race and he said no but if I did I’d want it to be the same course as the spring duel.”
There are a mix of first timers, experienced racer and teams registered. Mike is going to race with his brother.
There is no online donation set up, it’s not exactly meant to be a fund raiser. It’s really just about coming together as a community. It's a large community Mike has lived in the area his whole life and touched a lot of people's lives.
“The incredible thing about Mike is he’s such an incredible athlete. He’ll always take time to get to know the new person. He takes time to get to know everybody. If Don Davis is the grandfather of the sport around here, Mike is like your favorite uncle,” Shashaty said.
Mike has completed the Survival of the Shawangunks 23 times and competed in Kona.
Doug Thompson from the Main Street Bistro is going to provide food. It will be kid friendly, with a kid’s table and a giant card everyone can sign.
Shashaty had to assure USAT that this is a human only event and that no dogs would be in the race because of the name. There are still a few spots available at https://www.imathlete.com/events/EventReg/EventReg_SelectType.aspx?fEID=38798&fNew=1&fsource=imADFEOverview to register for this event, or just come out and cheer and support.
Bombastic? Yes. True? Also yes.
Mike Halsted, affectionately known as Dr. Mike, is a fixture in the local triathlon, and by extension running, biking, and swimming, communities. It isn’t necessary to go any further than, well me, to hear a story about how Mike’s support and encouragement.
I met Mike, not through sports, but while I was training for my first marathon. He listened enthusiastically to what must have seemed very basic achievements, complaints, and concerns. Then over the years I’ve picked up triathlon as well and found an equal amount of support and encouragement from him .
“I have had the distinct fortune to “Grow Up” under the tutelage of Dr. Mike for the last 18 years," Alex Sherwood, member of the Dr. Mike Fan Club, said. "It’s so easy to look at all the physical accomplishments he has had, but his skill set shines most bright when it comes to being a mentor or resource for others. Mike will do about anything for just about anyone in need”.
It’s equally easy to find dog lovers with tales of how Mike, a veterinarian, helped their four-legged friends.
On Saturday, October 22, the inaugural Dr. Mike’s Doggy Duathlon will kick off in New Paltz. Mike was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. Bill Shashaty, another member of the fan club, is organizing the event as much for the community as for Mike.
“The reason for the race is just to support Mike. To show him how much we care and love him. It will give an outlet to people to help,” Shashaty said. “You want to be able to help the person but you don’t know how. Here’s a way of showing your support. The best thing we can do is probably race.”
The course will be exactly the same course as the Spring Duel for SF; two-miles on the rail trail, then a 12-mile bike down Springtown Road, and the same 2-mile run to finish. It’s an unofficial sister race.
“We expect to have about 100 people. It’ll be a little more intimate than the Spring Duel. And all the money raised will go to the Melanoma Foundation,” Shashaty said. “With the MS a few years back I asked Mike about doing a race and he said no but if I did I’d want it to be the same course as the spring duel.”
There are a mix of first timers, experienced racer and teams registered. Mike is going to race with his brother.
There is no online donation set up, it’s not exactly meant to be a fund raiser. It’s really just about coming together as a community. It's a large community Mike has lived in the area his whole life and touched a lot of people's lives.
“The incredible thing about Mike is he’s such an incredible athlete. He’ll always take time to get to know the new person. He takes time to get to know everybody. If Don Davis is the grandfather of the sport around here, Mike is like your favorite uncle,” Shashaty said.
Mike has completed the Survival of the Shawangunks 23 times and competed in Kona.
Doug Thompson from the Main Street Bistro is going to provide food. It will be kid friendly, with a kid’s table and a giant card everyone can sign.
Shashaty had to assure USAT that this is a human only event and that no dogs would be in the race because of the name. There are still a few spots available at https://www.imathlete.com/events/EventReg/EventReg_SelectType.aspx?fEID=38798&fNew=1&fsource=imADFEOverview to register for this event, or just come out and cheer and support.
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