9th July 2008

This weekend world champion athlete Aaron Scheidies and Ironman champion Luke McKenzie will team up to race the Life Time Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis.

Visually impaired Scheidies is no stranger to the big time races having set a World Record time last October at the Dallas Open Triathlon of one hour, 58 minutes (the only disabled athlete to ever break two hours). Scheides is also a triple world champion at the Olympic distance.

Scheidies and McKenzie are hoping to lower his PR this weekend despite a technical bike course and the possibility of strong winds.

“I recently met Aaron through our mutual sponsor K-Swiss and when I was given the opportunity to race with Aaron I jumped at the chance. Aaron is a very talented athlete and I am excited about teaming up with him for this race," said McKenzie.

“I have been lucky to race with some top professional athletes over the past year including Ben Collins in Dallas and Aussie Joe Gambles at the Wildflower Olympic distance triathlon so I am really looking forward to racing with Luke," said Scheidies.

Look out for Aaron and Luke on the tandem bike this Saturday!

ABOUT AARON SCHEIDES
Aaron Scheidies is a 26-year-old who has overcome more in his short life than many conquer in a lifespan. Born with a hereditary eye condition that slowly deteriorates his central vision, Aaron now has 10 percent of the vision of a fully sighted person. After battling through hard times in his early teens, Aaron found the sport of triathlon and turned his life around. Beginning with sprint triathlon and continuing up the triathlon pyramid, Aaron is now a three-time triathlon world champion and has traveled around the world competing in over 70 triathlons. In 2005, Aaron teamed up with four other blind individuals to conquer the world’s single most grueling event, the Ironman triathlon (2.4 mi. Swim, 112 mi. Bike, 26.2 mi. Run).

Just as he is a multi-dimensional athlete, he also excels in all aspects of life. In college at Michigan State University, Aaron had a perfect 4.0 GPA, was the president of the MSU Triathlon Club, volunteered over 100 hrs helping other students with disabilities and was inducted into the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame. He graduated with a BS in Kinesiology and is currently getting his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Washington.

Aaron has set future goals for himself in athletics. Last year in Dallas, Aaron accomplished a long-standing goal by breaking a world record and becoming the only disabled athlete to break two hours in an International-distance triathlon, a feat only accomplished by a select few “able-bodied” athletes. He also has a goal of qualifying and competing in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing in swimming.

What is most impressive in this young mans life is his never-ending spirit and humble demeanor. His goal in life is to change societies prospective on those with disabilities and to instill confidence in those that lack it. With his almost contagious positive energy someday he will do this.

ABOUT LUKE McKENZIE
Luke McKenzie is a 26-year-old Australian triathlete who lives and races in the U.S. Luke has established himself as a consistent performer over the Ironman 70.3 and Ironman distances. McKenzie recently claimed his first career Ironman title at Ironman Japan and set a new course record in the process.

McKenzie is currently based in Bend, Oregon, where he is preparing for the upcoming Ironman Hawaii in October.

Check out Aarron and Luke’s websites:
AARON: www.cdifferentwithaaron.com
LUKE: www.lukemckenzie.com