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By: Dan Powell

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April 2002

Craig Zelent
November 2003

Solana Beach man never tires of raising money

By Whitelaw Reid
COMMUNITY SPORTS WRITER

October 13, 2002

Triathlon

What: 9th Annual San Diego Triathlon Challenge, a half-Ironman distance event. Relay teams consist of more than 75 challenged athletes, professional athletes and celebrities. The event also will feature the Star Trac & Spinning Challenge with 100 spin bikes.

When: Sunday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: La Jolla Cove.

Beneficiary: Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Phone: (858) 793-9293.

Web site: www.challengedathletes.org

SOLANA BEACH – Dan Powell has raised thousands of dollars for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, but it's a donation of $1 that he'll never forget.

Powell, who will be participating in the 9th Annual San Diego Triathlon Challenge on Nov. 3, was at a fund-raiser when he was approached by a little boy who handed him four quarters.

"That was a very important contribution," said Powell, 42, of Solana Beach. "That might have been a huge amount of that kid's net worth, if you will, and here he was giving it to people in wheelchairs and people without limbs."

Powell was dressed in his Captain Challenge costume at the time. Captain Challenge is a super-hero character Powell created.

Powell wears the costume to fund-raisers and for some races. He says he is often approached by people wanting to know what kind of super powers he has. For example, can he leap over tall buildings?

"Captain Challenge is a super hero with no super powers," Powell said. "That's the key, because in life we all are given what we're given and (should) use it to the best of our abilities.

"Captain Challenge challenges everyone to do something they've never done before and challenges people to help those that need help."

Captain Challenge, who works in real estate, has certainly done his part. In eight years, Powell has raised more than $100,000 for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, more than $48,000 of that last year alone.

"Dan is one of our top fund-raisers," said Tabi King, the director of programs and development for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. "He does everything from his heart. He believes in balance of life, that when you're successful in business, you to need give back to others.

"He believes there is a reason behind everything you do, and for him it is to maximize his success to help other people."

In May 2000, Powell set a goal of participating in seven Ironman triathlons on six continents in a five-year span while raising $400,000 for charities. So far, he has done four on three continents and raised more than $127,000.

Powell says, "The three C's" drew him to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

"The course, the cause and the camaraderie," Powell said. "Swimming in La Jolla Cove and then biking around Rancho Santa Fe and then running to the Torrey Pines golf course . . . it's the best of San Diego for swimming, biking and running."

And Powell says the people at the Challenged Athletes Foundation have become like an extended family.

"I've met a lot of the grant recipients who have gotten a lot of the money that I have raised," Powell said. "It just feels real good to have it come full circle. You raise the money and get to see how it benefits them and then you're motivated to raise more money. It's really exciting for me."

Because of his fund-raising prowess, Powell earned a spot in Saturday's Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, which rewards the top two fund-raisers from the preceding San Diego Triathlon Challenge with positions in the prestigious event.

Powell's best Ironman performance was 12 hours, eight minutes at the California Ironman in May 2000. He says he's looking forward to competing in the San Diego Triathlon Challenge, a half-Ironman distance event, even though it can be a bit humbling.

"I'll be biking along and think I'm going pretty fast and then some guy will come whizzing by me who has one leg or one arm. You say, 'I guess I'm not so fast after all.'

"I call it the most inspirational day in sport, not just in San Diego, everywhere."