16th Annual Competitor Endurance Sports Awards - February 2, 2008

In 2003 there was the incredible speech by cycling legend Davis Phinney. Then, a year later, the legendary acceptance speech from comedian Will Ferrell when he was named Competitor Magazine's Celebrity Athlete of the Year. Last year it was John Blais rising to his feet to accept his award as "Competitor of the Year." This is that one evening of the year where you can rub shoulders with the biggest names in the world of endurance sports. You will have a blast in the Sea World Arcade and, hopefully be moved and inspired by the runners, triathletes, cyclists and endurance legends who will be honored as the best of 2007.

We've had some classic acceptance speeches over the years. One of our favorites is from Will Ferrell. If you weren't at the banquet, we've posted the video below.

Please join us as we honor the winners in the following categories:

• AVIA RUNNER OF THE YEAR: This year Ryan Hall became the first American to go under an hour for the half marathon (59:43), ran the fastest ever debut marathon for an American in London (2:08:24) and then won the US Olympic Marathon Trials (2:09:02) on November 3rd in New York City.
• TOYOTA ENGINES OF CHANGE AWARD: Saul Raisin is an amazing young man. He was voted the Best Young Rider at the Tour de Georgia and had taken ninth at the Tour of Germany. Then he had a horrendous crash while sprinting to the finish line of a race in Italy. His parents were told that Saul was in a coma, that he probably would not live and if he did, he would be paralyzed. Saul Raisin proved the experts wrong and, unbelievably, is back racing his bike. His hot selling book is called “Tour de Life.”
• CYTOMAX MALE TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR: In his sixth attempt, Aussie Chris McCormack finally won the most important race in the sport, the Ironman World Championship. When he was 18 years old, he and his best friend put together a list of the events they one day wanted to win. The only one left on the list for Macca to win was the Ironman.
• KAISER PERMANENTE THRIVE AWARD: In July of 1986, the truck 18 year old Scott Rigsby was riding in the back of was clipped from behind by an 18 wheeler. Rigbsy was thrown from the truck, dragged 328 feet and pinned underneath. His right leg was amputated below the knee and he had 17 surgeries that year alone. 12 years later Scott Rigsby made the decision that the left leg was holding him back, that it needed to be amputated as well. In 2005 he watched above knee amputee Sarah Reinertsen complete the Ironman World Championship on NBC and a goal was born . Two years later he became the first double amputee to conquer Kona.
• TYR FEMALE TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Canadian Samantha McGlone won the 2006 Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship and qualified to race in Kona. During the 2007 season she came from behind twice, at Honu and Vineman, to beat the defending Ironman World Champion Michellie Jones. On the Big Island in October, McGlone ran a three hour marathon in her Ironman debut and took second to Chrissie Wellington.
• CYCLIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Phinney –aka Mini Phinney- is 6’ 4” tall , 17 years old and, according to long time cycling coach Roger Young, is the best American cycling talent he has ever seen. He is the son of Davis Phinney, the first American to win a stage of the Tour de France and the bronze medalist from the 1984 Olympics, and Connie Carpenter, the four time national champion and the 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist. This year Taylor won the Junior World Time Trial Championship in Mexico and is hoping to make the 2008 US Olympic Pursuit Team. Four weeks after riding a track bike for the very first time, Taylor won the Gold Medal in the individual pursuit at the USA Cycling Elite Track Nationals.
• ACTIVE.COM EVENT OF THE YEAR: The PF Chang’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon in Arizona has become a classic in a few short years. In 2007 the event drew over 37,000 happy runners to the marathon and half marathon.
• COMPETITOR MAGAZINE TRIATHLON LEGEND: Heather Fuhr won the Ironman World Championship back in 1997 and has won an amazing 15 Ironman races around the world, the second most in Ironman history.
• OFF-ROAD TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Conrad Stoltz has had nothing but bad luck since winning his last XTERRA World Championship. But in 2007 The Caveman was back, winning both The US Championship in Tahoe and the World Championship in Maui.
• JIM MCCANN TRI CLUB MEMBERS OF THE YEAR: The Tri Club of San Diego, LA Tri Club, Orange County Tri Club and the Inland Inferno Triathlon Club pick their male and female members of the year and they are honored on the big stage. Jim McCann was the President of the Triathlon Club of San Diego and was instrumental in the growth of the club to 1,800 members. Jim passed away in July and it’s only fitting that this award now has his name on it.