Published: May 08, 2008 01:28 am         

Taking on the world

Pioneer student, team raising money for trip to triathlon

Ryan Bice will represent the country at this year’s World Championship Triathlon.

Bice, a sophomore at Pioneer, is traveling to Vancouver, Canada this summer to compete in the Junior Age Group World Championship Triathlon. He and a select group of other elite athletes from across the country will be representing Team USA at the race on June 6.

The race consists of a 750-meter swim, a 40K bike ride and a 5K run and also hosts the best athletes from all over the world.

Bice traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala. with other members of the Multisport Madness Junior Elite Triathlon Team to race at the World Qualifying Event on April 20 in hopes of earning slots in the World Championships. Multisport Madness is based out of the Chicago area and also supports many athletes in other states.

Bice said he wasn’t sure of his chances at the qualifier, but he is excited to join the group of his teammates that will make the trip with him this summer.

“It feels great to be in the situation of qualify and representing the country, I didn’t know my chances since this is my first year with my team, Multisport Madness,” he said. “I am looking forward to this summer.”

In order to raise money for team travel expenses, which are expected to total $20,000, the team members are participating in a 12-hour bike relay from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 in Geneva, Ill. The athletes will attempt to ride 500 total miles as a team in the 12-hour period.

The team is accepting donations in the form of a dollar amount per mile. For example $0.05 per mile for 500 miles would equal a $25 dollar donation. Anyone who would like to donate can contact Bice at (574) 722-6296. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.

“(The fund raising) is going well, whole team collecting money, should help out a lot. Many on team qualified.”