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Grassroots multisport group grows
By Lynn A. Wade
Nevada Daily Mail
Nevada Area Multisport, a grassroots organization that promotes fitness and fellowship, reports that the organization -- and along with it the number of members and the group's repertoire of events -- has enjoyed steady growth since its inception in 2008.
The brainchild of Steve and Karen Marquardt, Nevada, Steve says the idea grew over time, as did his interest in running and other activities.
"I hated running," he said, joking that he was the kind of guy who was fond of joking that the only way he'd run is if the police were chasing him.
But his wife Karen enjoyed running, and would enter a variety of events in the region. Accompanying his wife -- as a spectator -- to such events led to his noticing that the people attending were a close-knit group that encouraged one another and congratulated one another on successes.
He decided to give it a try, and "eventually I caught up with Karen," he said.
The two continued to go to run/walk events and other events, and over time, they noticed that there were often groups of participants who were from the same towns.
But at that time, in Nevada, the Marquardts didn't see a lot of people out running. Steve, in particular, liked the idea of the triathlon -- swimming, biking and running -- so the Marquardts decided to form Nevada Area Multisport, a group that would focus on providing opportunities for local people to participate in those three activities.
Steve said 28 people showed up for the first meeting and from there, interest has grown. The group now has more than 100 members. Membership's free, and anyone can join by submitting their e-mail address on the group's web site.
Using the YMCA as meeting point, the group organized informal bike rides and other gatherings; and in 2009, they held their first event, a 5K/10K run/walk event. Steve said he prefers to call them events rather than races, to support the notion of participating to meet one's personal best effort rather than focusing on the concept of coming in first.
"Even the last person who crosses the line is a winner," because that person has taken the step of starting, then finishing the event.
In that first event, about 40 people showed up. "We had fairly good participation for a Nevada event," Steve said.
This spring, a 5K event drew about 80 people; a diathlon drew about 50; and a triathlon drew a crowd of more than 70.
"That's huge," Steve said, noting that a lot of people are now participating who might not have done so without the "extra push" a resource like Nevada Area Multisport had.
The group experience, he said, helps people to stay with a new fitness activity, because they're motivated by not letting the group down and by the group experience itself.
Nevada Area Multisport also hosts kids' triathlons, offering children a no-cost opportunity to experience the sense of accomplishment Karen says she experiences every time she crosses the finish line. A desire to give children that opportunity inspired Karen and inspired the children's events.
When they finish, they can say they're triathletes for the rest of their lives; and the sense of accomplishment is more than evident on their faces when they finish.
"There are some seriously fun looks on those kids' faces," Steve said.
Afterward, they celebrate together, congratulate one another and enjoy one another's company.
Eighty-five Nevada youth have taken part in the events, and many of them return again and again.
Nevada Area Multisport's primary goal, he said, is to promote healthier lifestyles -- the same thing Cerner Corp. has come to town to do with its Healthy Nevada Project.
To learn more about Nevada Area Multisport, how to volunteer or participate, or to find out about upcoming fitness-related events in the region, visit www.nevadaareamultisport.weebly.com