Elie Hirschfeld Races for the USA Triathlon Foundation

Central Park is, according to Elie Hirschfeld, who’s had opportunity to run throughout the world, “the most magnificent park.” He considers the 6-mile loop his refuge from the the chaos of New York City.

Unlike the rest of New York City, you can’t see more than half a block at a time in Central Park. “With the curves, you don’t know where it’s going,” Elie Hirschfeld said. “Everything is a surprise.”

While running the virtual marathon last year — “It was me, the Park and hardly anyone else. It was an amazing experience.” — Elie had the idea to put on his own virtual event in support of the park, as well as the charities involved in his sports.

He generously donated $27,500 to the USA Triathlon Foundation, which will benefit running and biking opportunities through the Central Park Conservancy. And the USA Triathlon’s mission of triathlon for all: youth, adaptive athletes and Olympic/Paralympic hopefuls.

He hopes his challenge will inspire others to do something they love. And to donate or raise funds for charity as they do it.

“Find an activity that inspires you and think about the positive you might gain for yourself if you attach a little fundraising to it,” Elie said. “It doesn’t need to be a fortune.”

Elie Hirschfeld started running in his 20s and raced his first triathlon in 1985, the Mighty Hamptons in Southampton, New York. He had spotted the race in the local paper and ripped out it to review later, mistakenly thinking it was a running-only race.

When he reviewed the article in the spring, Elie remembers being shocked that someone could swim 1.5 miles, bike 25 miles and run 10 miles. But after learning how to swim, he successfully finished the race.

Tri training helps Elie Hirschfeld stay mentally and physically strong. He’s skied for the past 62 years, and says swimming, biking and running helps him ski “very strong in the bumps, even now.”

The self-supported race is a way to give back to the sport that’s given him so much.

Elie’s race schedule for the upcoming year includes the New York City Triathlon and the Mighty Hamptons, as well as watching his 11-year-old son, Jacob, race youth triathlons.

See original article here: http://usatriathlonfoundation.org/blog/elies-challenge-racing-support-usa-triathlon-foundation-central-/