Give to the triathlon that is giving back: The Marin County Triathlon

For those of you racing or touring around the San Francisco Bay Area next month, there is a triathlon event NOT to be missed! The Marin County Triathlon will take place on Sunday, October 26, 2008.

The event is giving 100% of the race proceeds to three of my favorite organizations:

• Lupus Foundation of Northern California (Did you know that 1.5 million Americans suffer from this auto-immune disease and that the number of cases are increasing for reasons unbeknownst to scientists?)
• Jenny's Light is a foundation created after the tragic loss of Becky Lavelle's twin sister Jenny and her newborn son Graham. The non-profit organization is devoted to raising awareness of postpartum illnesses and helping families in need.
  
• Girls on the Run Bay Area offers training programs that help 8-13 year-old girls in the area develop higher self-esteem and healthier lifestyles. No doubt Bay Area athletes have spotted girls on the run alongside them in local 5k races.

The Marin County triathlon sponsors are giving out prizes to the top fundraisers on race day. Race organizers are also touting the event as fully-sustainable, thanks to a variety of initiatives ranging from biodegradable aid station materials, hybrid lead vehicles and prizes/medals made from recycled triathlon equipment and materials.

Not from the Bay Area? You should definitely consider this as an opportunity to come by as this race is just a hop away from legendary Sonoma and Napa Valley wine country (and harvests are at hand!).

Register on Active.com!