ABOUT ME

Steve was born and raised in Edina MN but now lives in Richfield MN.  After High School Steve joined the Army and spent three years with the 10th Mountain Division.  At Ft. Drum Steve was an accomplished runner even though he had no formal training.  Shortly after returning home from active duty Steve went to college at Minnesota St. University at Mankato.  Steve was active in many activities such as Captain of the Men's Soccer Team, President of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and a Lieutenant in the MN National Guard. After graduating Steve went to his Officer Basic Course in El Paso TX and joined the OBC running team.  A captain took an interest in Steve's determination and competitive spirit, taught Steve how to train and got him to start competing on a regular basis at local races.  At the same time Steve learned how to swim competitively from a friend and classmate and the base for a triathlete was set.

Steve returned to Minnesota in the summer of 2005 he began racing in triathlons.  That summer he became addicted to the multi sport races and competed in six triathlons. By the end of the summer he finished an Olympic distance in 2:21:19.  It seemed as if he was on track to start entering the next level of competitions.

At the end of the summer Steve was activated for a tour in Iraq with the MN National Guard.  While in Iraq the unit Steve was in was extended for an additional four months. This made the units tour nearly 16 months in Iraq.  The MN unit ended up being the longest deployed combat unit since the war started and the second longest ever.

- Steve Sander