Matthew Russell

2 x National Duathlon Champion

Matt was born and raised on a small farm in Lisbon, NY. He played soccer, basketball and baseball when he was little, as those were the only sports his K-12 school offered. As a junior, he merged with another school (Canton) where we ran cross country and track. When

Matt was 8, his mom became ill with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. Throughout the five years that she battled the disease, he learned many valuable lessons from her, including how important determination and carrying a positive attitude are. He learned that the Lord has a plan for everyone at a very young age. In memory of his mother and to raise awareness, Matt always races with the ALS logo on his racing suit.

After high school, Matt attended the University of New Hampshire and competed on the cycling team for one season. The fall of his junior year he ran two marathons within 20 days. In the spring, Matt ran on the track and field team at the Division 1 school. In 2006, he was the Division 1 New England Champion in the 3000 steeplechase. In 2007, he graduated with a Masters degree in occupational therapy.

Immediately after college, Matt relocated to Boulder, Colorado and was working full time as an occupational therapist at a nursing facility.He continued to train as he dipped into the multisport world and competed in duathlons. In his first professional race, he finished first at the 2008 ITU Duathlon National Championships, earning a spot on the 2008 Duathlon World Championships in Italy.

In 2010, Matt has learned how to swim and has dipped into the triathlon world. He quickly excelled and earned his pro card in his second triathlon.  In 2011, he lived and trained in Austin, Texas as a full-time triathlete. He raced 25 multisport events across the world in 2011.  He is now one of the top American athlete’s at the half ironman/Ironman distance. Matt competed in his first Ironman World Championships as he cross the line as the third overall American in a time of 8:43.  Six weeks later he competed at Ironman Arizona finishing as the first American in a new personal best of 8:29. In 2012, Matt is relocating to Scottsdale, Arizona with aspirations of getting on the podium in the Ironman circuit.  He is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead while he can praise the Lord’s glory with the talents he has been blessed with. Realizing that each day is a gift from God, he tries to live each day as if it is his last.

Matthew Russell

-Professional Triathlete: http://members.tri4him.com/?page_id=359

-Coach: http://members.tri4him.com/?p=5070 and

http://www.austint3.com/t3/coaches.htm

“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

~Morrie Schwartz