Five ElliptiGO Riders Compete in Calvin's Challenge
Five athletes from the U.S., Canada and Spain competed in Calvin’s Challenge to set new elliptical biking records and join the ElliptiGO Century Club. Calvin's Challenge is the first official bicycle race to have an elliptical bike division.
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SAN DIEGO (May 16, 2012)—ElliptiGO Inc., creators of the world’s first elliptical bike, today announced that several records were set on May 5th at the 2012 Calvin’s Challenge, the first bicycle race to have a designated “Elliptical Bike” division. Five ElliptiGO riders competed in the 50-mile Time Trial, 100-mile Time Trial, and timed 12-hour event, with three of them joining the ElliptiGO Century Club as a result of their efforts. The official times from these events have resulted in three new records for the sport of elliptical biking.
The creation of a new elliptical bike racing division within an official bicycle race and the participation from ElliptiGO riders around the world indicates that elliptical biking is continuing to gain momentum globally. “We initially created the ElliptiGO to enable former runners, such as myself, to run again,” said Bryan Pate, Co-Founder and Co-President of ElliptiGO. “Our ultimate goal, however, was to launch a new sport with its own competitive events and records. The recognition of elliptical biking as a division in this race and the achievements of these athletes is a testament to the excitement and potential of this new sport.”
At the conclusion of a long day of racing, JoAnn Wegert of Ohio had set the benchmark in the 50-mile time trial with a time of 3:31:50. Wegert also holds the ElliptiGO women’s one-day distance record of 163.9 miles, set in September 2011. Hector Calvo Gonzalez of Spain set the men’s benchmark in the 100-mile time trial with a time of 6:57:56. Close on his wheel was Dan Waggoner of Ohio in 6:59:56, with Canadian Rich Merlino rounding out the field with his time of 8:00:49. In the 12-hour challenge, 65-year-old Jeanne Wilson of Ohio completed 101 miles to become the oldest member of the ElliptiGO Century Club.
The ElliptiGO Century Club is comprised of the first 100 athletes to complete a 100-mile run on an ElliptiGO as part of an official event.As a result of their efforts at Calvin’s Challenge, Wilson along with Gonzalez and Merlino, increased the number of Century Club members to 37. Wegert and Waggoner had already joined the Club in 2011.
“We’re elated with the record-setting momentum that we are seeing from our customers” said Brent Teal, ElliptiGO Co-President and Co-Founder.“We’d like to congratulate JoAnn, Hector, Dan, Rich and Jeanne for their inspiring efforts at Calvin’s Challenge and we can’t wait to see who will challenge their records as the sport continues to grow.”
For more information about ElliptiGO and its products, visit www.elliptigo.com or follow them on Twitter @elliptigo and Facebook at www.facebook.com/elliptigo.
About ElliptiGO
ElliptiGO, Inc. is a San Diego-based company that created the world’s first elliptical bicycle. By modifying the elliptical trainer motion and combining it with the functionality of a bicycle, the ElliptiGO® line of bikes delivers a high-performance workout experience that closely mimics running outdoors while eliminating the impact.Elliptical biking is an effective way to build cardiovascular fitness without aggravating injuries, and a great alternative for people who can no longer run because of degenerative conditions.For everyone from the weekend warrior to the elite athlete, the ElliptiGO provides the most comfortable, fun and efficient way to get outside and be active. The full line of ElliptiGO® bikes is available for purchase at select retailers nationwide and through the company’s website: www.elliptigo.com.
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