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Posts Tagged ‘circumnavigate’

“We are determined to do all we can”

Posted in Fundraisers, tagged , , , , on August 11, 2020| Leave a Comment »

The Circumnavigate Whidbey fundraiser is still going on in the age of coronavirus, but everyone will stay further apart than in this pic from last year. (Photo courtesy James Steller)

Through rain, wind, or COVID-19, they go on.

“Circumnavigate Whidbey,” a fundraiser for Coupeville students, is still a go in the age of coronavirus, but this year’s event will operate with an emphasis on social distancing.

This is the fourth go-round for the event, which has previously raised $60,000+ for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools.

The money pulled in goes to support “teacher grants for educational enrichment, college scholarships, and financial resources for students in need to equally access activities and learning opportunities.”

With the payoff being such a positive one, the participants wanted to make sure and keep the event going, said organizer James Steller.

“2020 has been a year like no other – but we are bound and determined to do all we can for our community.”

The event will go off Sept. 5, with parents and supporters teaming up to pull off a 160-mile circumnavigation of Whidbey Island, each volunteer doing a separate section by running, riding a bike, or taking to the waters.

Steller will be joined (at a proper distance) by Andrew Wyman in Central Whidbey, while Pat O’Hara will be busy on the North end of the Island, and Neil Rixe will be getting after things down South.

Korianne Emerson and Alysha Best will be out on the water.

While they have a solid group, Steller and Co. are always on the outlook for more to join the effort.

If you’re athletic and interested, drop him an email at jsteller@hotmail.com.

The goal for this year is to raise at least $20,000, and there’s already a donor who has pledged to match every dollar donated to the campaign.

There’s also a sweet lil’ side prize being offered.

For every $100 you donate, you will get an entry into a raffle for a two-night stay for two people at the Ocean Bluff Farm guesthouse in Coupeville.

The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the event.

For much more info on what the foundation does, the circumnavigation event, and how to donate, pop over to:

https://www.4coupevilleschools.org/

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Big effort, bigger payout

Posted in Fundraisers, Running, tagged , , , , on September 1, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Heidi Mayne rises up out of the Whidbey waters as she and others complete a circumnavigation of the island, raising $27,000 for Coupeville teachers and students. (Photos by Morgan White and James Steller)

Getting ready for a run with a view.

The bike gang, hard at work.

Always fuel up before competing.

Attacking the hills and enjoying the new coating recently put down by county crews on the Kettles Trail.

Year three was a rousing success.

A group of Whidbey Island athletes successfully pulled off “Circumnavigate Whidbey 2019” this weekend, raising $27,000 for Coupeville students.

The event, started by James Steller, benefits the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, which provides support, grants, and scholarships.

Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, athletes ran, biked, and swam their way around Whidbey, traveling the complete length of one of the longest islands in the USA.

Andrew Wyman and Neil Rixe took home unofficial honors as iron men, with the former doing all sports and all distances, while the latter hit the bike like he was in the middle of the Tour de France.

“He biked a zillion miles and never lost speed. Superhuman!,” said an impressed Steller, who threw down the equivalent of two half Ironman Triathlons himself this weekend.

Pat O’Hara joined the core group for day one’s activities, while Greg White was in the thick of things on day two.

Also completing full legs (or more) were Grant Steller, Cole White, Jameson O’Hara, Korianne Emerson, Heidi Mayne, and Alysha Emerson Best.

Giving things a true family feel, kids of all ages jumped in to run bits and pieces of the event, making for “a lot of feels.” 

Pulling off a multi-day event required the help of a large, enthusiastic support crew.

Among those who gave up their holiday weekend to make the magic happen were chief planner Karen Price, support drivers Chic Merwine and Terry Welch, photographer to the stars Morgan White, and the indispensable duo of Amber Wyman and Holley Steller.

Shell Puget Sound Refinery, where James Steller works, made a substantial donation to the event, while money also came from a wide variety of others.

“It is not possible without our amazing community,” Steller said.

“I also want to thank the teachers and administrators of Coupeville Schools, who make a difference in our children’s lives every day!,” he added. “You are loved and appreciated and this is the least we can do for you!!!! Till next year!”

 

For more info on what the Community Foundation does, pop over to:

https://www.4coupevilleschools.org/

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Explore the Island, support Coupeville schools

Posted in Bike sports, Fundraisers, Running, Swim, tagged , , , , , , , on June 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Multiple ways to support a good cause. (Photo courtesy James Steller)

“Circumnavigate Whidbey” is back, but with a twist.

An annual fundraiser for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, it’s headed into its third go-round, with the hope of attracting the most participants yet.

The first two years featured creator James Steller (and later a few friends) circling Whidbey by means of running, bicycling, and swimming.

This time out, they’re offering local athletes a chance to participate in two non-competitive “half-Ironman triathlons,” while tracing the 160-mile perimeter of Whidbey Island.

The event goes down Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 1).

The first day, athletes launch from Mickey Clark Field (behind Coupeville Elementary School), head South, then work their way back to Coupeville.

Day two will start in the same place, but everyone will head North.

Each day will consist of 13 miles running (split into several legs), a mile swim, and the rest taken up by biking.

Participants will stick together on the journey, regardless of pace.

The event wraps with a community potluck at the end of the second day.

Those who want to help support the Foundation, but not hit the roads and waters, can donate to the cause, as the poster at the top of this article indicates.

The Foundation, which was started in 1977, provides scholarships to students and grants to teachers, helping keep Coupeville education humming along.

For much more info on the foundation, or “Circumnavigate Whidbey,” pop over to:

https://www.4coupevilleschools.org

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Big adventure, big bucks!!

Posted in Fundraisers, outdoor sports, tagged , , , , , , on September 4, 2018| Leave a Comment »

“Circumnavigate Whidbey 2018” brought out the fans. (Photos courtesy James Steller)

Steller (left) teamed with Neil Rixe (center) and Greg White to complete a two-day journey around Whidbey Island.

A rousing send-off as the runners hit the track at Coupeville High School.

Steller slices through the waters off of Whidbey.

Fathers competing to benefit their children (and many others).

They ran, they biked, they kayaked, they swam, and they raised some big bucks.

A pack of athletically-inclined Coupeville parents put in 19 hours of outdoor activity over Labor Day weekend, pulling off “Circumnavigate Whidbey 2018: The Traverse” and raising $21,000.

James Steller, Greg White, Neil Rixe and Andrew Wyman piled up more than 150 miles as they worked their way around Whidbey Island.

Money raised through donations goes to help the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, which funds educator grants, awards scholarships to graduating CHS seniors, and provides assistance to financially disadvantaged students.

Founded in 1997, the group’s mission is to “provide an extra measure of support to students and educators at Coupeville Public Schools.”

Steller, a marathoner and endurance runner, launched the inaugural “Circumnavigate Whidbey” last year, and this time around was joined by fellow parents, which lightened the assault on his body (at least a little).

“I love where we live. The people and this island’s beauty and rural nature are amazing,” he said. “Our families and friends are special!

“The finishing lines were so heartwarming,” Steller added. “Each day we were tired, but the loud cheers from the big crowds made it all worthwhile.”

The group was almost down a member at the start, as Wyman was in a bad bike accident while training, but he was able to bounce back and participate in the running part of the event.

As they navigated the waters and road of Whidbey, the group came face-to-face with Orca whales while kayaking.

All four men are fathers of school-age children, and their offspring came along for the adventure, as support staff, and, in some cases, putting in miles running with their dads.

“It was really fun to have the Coupeville kiddos with us for portions of the course,” Steller said.

Numerous people helped to make the weekend event a success, and Steller sent a special thank you out to one of them.

“I want to recognize Chic Merwine, the president of the Foundation, who just recently retired from his job at Coupeville schools,” Steller said. “He dedicates so much of his life to the district and has made such a big difference.”

Whether they provided assistance, cheered from the sidelines or chipped in with money, the many members of the community who backed the event will see it pay off in the coming months and years.

“The folks and businesses that supported the effort with donations – thank you!,” Steller said. “There will be at least 15 or so innovative and enriching grants for teachers that will affect so many of our Coupeville students because of you!”

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Just do it, for the kids!!

Posted in Fundraisers, Running, tagged , , , , , on July 22, 2018| Leave a Comment »

James Steller and Co. will circumnavigate Whidbey Island Labor Day weekend to raise money for Coupeville schools.

He’s back at it, but this time he’s bringing some friends along for the adventure.

James Steller, one of Whidbey’s top runners and supporters of local schools, will once again be circumnavigating the Island Labor Day weekend.

But, unlike last year, when he attempted to go solo and put himself in the hospital for a bit, this time out Steller will be joined by “a small group of crazies.”

Neil Rixe, who coaches track and robotics at Coupeville High School, dentist Andrew Wyman and firefighter Greg White, a Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Famer for his old-school high school athletic exploits, will join Steller.

The quartet, who have seven kids among them, all involved in Coupeville schools, will launch “Circumnavigate Whidbey – 2018 – The Traverse” Sept. 1-2.

Each of the two days starts and ends in Coupeville, with the foursome (or more, if others join), running, biking, kayaking and swimming.

It will take 120 miles of biking, 24 miles of running, eight miles of kayak, and one mile of swim for the group to travel around the perimeter of Whidbey.

The event raises money for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, a non-profit organization which supports local teachers by funding projects and issues scholarships to graduating seniors.

The Foundation annually puts $25,000 back into local education.

Last year’s inaugural edition of Circumnavigate Whidbey raised $15,000 in donations, but just about wrecked Steller.

A veteran triathlon and marathon athlete, he attempted to run the entire length and found even his well-seasoned body had trouble achieving the feat.

While it might have been a small setback in the moment, Steller was cheered by how the community stepped up with donations, and how, in the end, several other athletes jumped in to try and get him to the finish line.

After a lot of thought, and some personal reflection, he decided he couldn’t let the event die.

“The decision for me to try this again took me until June to finally make up my mind,” Steller said. “I knew that it was great for the Foundation, really bringing in both publicity and significant monies for our year of grants and scholarships.

“I just knew my body couldn’t run it.”

That was when he hit upon an idea to mix things up.

“In my past, I have done both the Ski To Sea and triathlons,” Steller said. “So my wife and I were talking and said, why can’t we do something like that on Whidbey?

“My ultimate ambition is to make it a tradition and have folks who participate do their own fundraising.”

While he has three compatriots lined up, Steller is open to adding other athletes to the mix.

As the founder of the event, he has the logistics and route ready to go, but would encourage anyone wanting to join to commit to raising $500 for the Foundation.

If you’re content to cheer from the sideline and donate to the cause, there’s still something special in it for you.

For every $100 you donate, you get an entry into a raffle for a two-night stay at the Ocean’s Bluff Farm’s guest house.

A small jewel tucked away on the Island, it offers “expansive ocean and Olympic views, farm animals and serenity.”

 

To get an idea of what the guest house looks like, pop over to:

https://www.oceanblufffarm.com/

 

For more info on Circumnavigate Whidbey, or to donate, pop over to:

http://www.4coupevilleschools.org/

 

If you’re interested in joining the “band of crazies” and taking to the road or waters of Whidbey, drop Steller a line at jsteller@hotmail.com.

 

PS — Check out this vintage video about the Foundation from 2011 and see how many future Wolf athletic stars you can ID. I got at least seven.

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