Browsing all articles from March, 2010

UrbanEpic Blog Post 1

Check back for updates, tips, deals from sponsors, and other cool info throughout the season. Plus, get the inside scoop from the race directors about what it’s like putting on the Urban Epic Boston!

UrbanEpic News Post 1

The Urban Epic Boston Triathlon was recognized in Triathlete Magazine’s Top 100 Races on Earth! Listed as one of the 10 Greenest Races, the Urban Epic Triathlon has established itself in its first year as a fantastic racing experience in an amazing city.

Volunteer at the Boston Urban Epic

The Urban Epic Boston Triathlon would never be possible without the awesome support of hundreds of volunteers! By helping, you get to support a great event that promotes health, fitness, community, and sustainability! You’ll also get a unique volunteer shirt, provided by City Sports, as well as snacks and beverages provided at the race venue, including burritos by Chipotle. It’s a great experience that will leave you inspired and feeling good.

Click on a link below to learn more about each volunteer opportunity.
You may register for more than one job as long as they don’t overlap.

Race Packet Pickup @ Bayside Saturday, 8/7, 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Infrastructure Set-up Saturday, 8/7, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Infrastructure Set-up Sunday, 8/8, 5:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Parking Guides Sunday, 8/8, 05:30 AM – 07:30 PM
Pre-Race Athlete Check-In Sunday, 8/8, 05:30 AM – 07:30 AM

Transition Area Support Sunday, 8/8, 07:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Transition Area Support Sunday, 8/8, 11:00 AM – 02:00 PM

Swim Course Support Sunday, 8/8, 06:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Safety Kayakers Sunday, 8/8, 06:30 AM – 09:00 AM
Bike Course Support Sunday, 8/8, 07:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Motorcyclists Sunday, 8/8, 07:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Run Course Support Sunday, 8/8, 07:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Crosswalk Monitors Sunday, 8/8, 07:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Neighborhood Liaisons Sunday, 8/8, 07:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Post-Race Festival Support Sunday, 8/8, 08:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Green Team Sunday, 8/8, 08:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Infrastructure Breakdown Sunday, 8/8, 10:00 AM – 01:30 PM

No experience is necessary, just bring your smile and be ready to have a great time! You will have one call prior to the event with your specific coordinator to go through your responsibilities. .For more information please contact info@urban-epic.com.

If you represent a large group or team that would like to get involved, let us know so that we can discuss the opportunities that are available and how Urban Epic Boston can support your organization.

Volunteer at the Portland Urban Epic

Volunteer – help make this the best event possible! Click the button below to learn more and to sign up.

Volunteer and race support is needed in the following areas:

Athlete counters
Body markers
Kayakers and boaters for the swim
Lifeguards
Parking and shuttle support
Post race festivities
Medical team
Management of Athlete’s gear bags
Mount/dismount line
Race course set up and take down
Registration packet preparation
Registration packet pickup
Timing support
Traffic controllers
Transition area monitors
Venue set up and take down
Volunteer check-in
Water stations

Stick around and enjoy the festival right after the race!  It’s a fun time for all!

No experience is necessary, just bring your smile and be ready to have a great time!  Sign up a week before to receive a free high quality t-shirt.  Snacks and beverages will be provided at the race venue.  For more information please contact Nicole Pisani at 221-5420 or nicole@tri-maine.com.  Thank you for your interest, and we hope to see you July 10th!

Staff

Will

Nicole

Erik

Meet the team behind Epic!

Will Thomas – Founder and Executive Director

Will is the founder and president of Willpower Enterprises, LLC, a cutting-edge marketing and production company with holdings in a number of industries related to mass-participatory sports. Willpower Enterprises represents the next-generation of the consumer experience – one that seamlessly fuses brands, communities, sustainability, charities, and culture in effective and exciting ways through sports and entertainment. Properties include: Tri-Maine Productions, Urban Epic, Mountain Epic, Warehouse Creative, Wine Flight, My Race World, LLC, The Lobsterman Triathlon, Buoy Line Apparel, and Epic Apparel.

Will has an extensive background in event management that has spanned over 7 years and 50+ races. An entrepreneur at heart, Will’s career began when he organized the first PolarBear Triathlon as a senior at Bowdoin College in 2003. Under his direction, the PolarBear has grown from a grass-roots race of 75 participants to a highly complex event with over 550 athletes, 150 volunteers and two races happening simultaneously. Will graduated from Bowdoin with a double major in Government and Religion and a minor in Economics and entered the world of professional race management age 23. Since then, he has been the director of many races throughout the Northeast, including:

The Lobsterman Triathlon – Freeport, ME (2003-2009)
The Zone Urban Epic Triathlon – Portland, ME (2007-2009)
The PolarBear Tri/Duathlon – Brunswick, ME (2003-2009)
The Men’s Health Urbanathlon (Venue manager) – New York, NY (2006)
The Pirate Tri at Point Sebago Resort – Casco, ME (2009)
The Pineland Farms Winter Triathlon – New Glouster, ME (2009)
The Belgrade Lakes Triathlon – Belgrade, ME (2008)
The Scarborough Triathlon – Scarborough, ME (2008)
The Rangeley Oquossoc Mountain Pursuit – Rangeley, ME (2008-2009)
The Tri For A Cure – South Portland, ME (2008-2009)
The Bath Y-Tri – Bath, ME (2008-2009)
The CELT Challenge – Cape Elizabeth, ME (2005-2009)
The WildBear Triathlon – Poland, ME (2006-2007)
The Shipbuilders Triathlon – Bath, ME (2005-2007)
The Fireman Triathlon – Kennebunk, ME (2004-2005)
PolarBear 5k – Portland, ME  (2009)
Wine Flight 5k – Portland, ME (2008-2009)
Mountain Epic Trail Race – Sunday River, ME (2008-2009)
The Save our Swinging Bridge 5k – Topsham, ME (2004-2005)

Other current large-scale projects include Urban Epic Boston Triathlon, the Mayor’s Cup Boston Crit Race, and Mountain Epic Sugarloaf/Sunday River.

Beyond race directing, Will has been a swim, triathlon, track, and cross-country coach, a teacher, and a marketing account executive, as well as helped launch a retail enterprise in 2003. An avid triathlete, he has competed in over 60 multisport events, including Ironman Lake Placid in 2005, and typically places near the top of the field. He is on the board of directors of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and on the Executive Committee of PROPEL, the young members organization of the Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized by MaineBiz in 2007 as one of 10 people helping to shape the future of Maine’s economy. In the off-season, Will enjoys telemark skiing and launching new companies. He splits whatever time he has leftover between surfing, cycling, drinking coffee, debating politics, reading the news, and traveling.

Nicole Pisani – Events

nicole

Nicole joined Willpower Enterprises in February of 2007, from an adventure-based retail background. She brings a wide range of talents and skills to the company that stem from her extensive athletic experience and her time at Keene State University, where she graduated with a degree in Health Sciences. Nicole decided to move away from her Connecticut roots to explore Portland and the multisport lifestyle Tri-Maine strives for.

During her time at WiIlpower Enterprises, Nicole has focused on developing the operations and logstics of the events. She has helped to orchestrate some of the most complicated races imaginable, smiling the entire time! She has consulted to many high-profile events and manages communications on race day at all of Tri-Maine’s events.

In the winter, Nicole enjoys shredding powder at one of the mammoth Maine ski resorts, while surfing the towering waves during the summer months. To fuel her competetive spirit, Nicole mountain bikes regularly and runs with fellow athletes but still has time to relax by reading and cooking.

Erik Boucher – Operations


With a strong background in the road running community, Erik brings extensive on-the-ground race management experience to Willpower Enterprises. He has helped to organize the Maine Marathon, the Beach to Beacon 10k, the Pineland Farms Trail Challenge, and numerous other races. He is on the board for the Maine Track Club and a member of the organizing committee for the Beach to Beacon 10k. When he isn’t working, Erik enjoys trail running (he has completed multiple Ultra-distance events), working on his house, and playing with his energetic dog. Erik’s areas of focus at Willpower include Mountain Epic, the Winter Tri, and infrastructure management.

Press

URBAN EPIC PRESS RELEASES

IN THE NEWS

Zone Labs Inc. Announces Major Gift to Preble Street. Jim Buchanan, Chairman and CEO of Zone Labs, presented over 23,000 Zone bars to the Portland-based Resource Center on Thursday, May 21st. The donation was in response to an increased need for support of local food pantries and kitchens that help the growing number of hungry. Zone Labs is the title sponsor of the Zone Urban Epic, and has a strong commitment to the Portland community . Click Here to Read the Press Release!
The Zone Urban Epic Triathlon Receives Two Accolades for Sustainable Event Initiatives.
The Portland, Maine event becomes the first certified, sustainable triathlon in New England and is lauded as “Best Eco-Effort” race of the year by New England Sports Magazine.
12/08/08 New England Sports Magazine
“Best of 2008″
National Champion and Hometown Professional Race To Victory in the 2008 Zone Urban Epic.
An impressive field of athletes and a large crowd of spectators make the downtown Portland triathlon and festival an exciting competitive event.
7/29/08 MaineToday.com
“Seen” – Photo Albums”
Zone Urban Epic Triathlon and Festival Celebrating the City of Portland.
World-class triathlon event brings National Champion triathlete Becky Lavelle and 300 racers from across the country to the heart of downtown Portland to celebrate the city.
7/27/08 Portland Press Herald
“Rich Sport, but not for Their Wallets”
Zone Urban Epic Makes Sustainable Race Practices A Priority
Zone Urban Epic (ZUE) race directors are taking big steps toward running an environmentally conscious multisport event.
7/25/08 Portland Press Herald “Portland Triathlon not Short of Talent”
The Zone Urban Epic Festival…THE place to be.
Just because you’re not racing in the ZUE doesn’t mean you have to miss out. A celebration is a celebration, and this one isn’t just for the finishing athletes – it’s for everyone.
7/23/08 The Maine Switch
“2008 Zone Urban Epic Triathlon and Festival “
Becky Lavalle to Race 2008 Zone Urban Epic
Jun 1, 2008 – Tri-Maine is pleased to announce that Zone Labs’ very own professional triathlete and National Champion Becky Lavelle has signed on to race alongside local athletes in the Zone Urban Epic on July 26 in Portland, ME.
7/22/08 The Maine Switch
Success Stories: Mary Miller, Zone Urban Epic Triathlete
3/24/08 FitPlanet.com
FitPlanet to Support Three New England Race Directors
Click Here to download the Media Kit