Company proves to be fit for booming triathlon business

Vacation Sports in White Bear Lake is one of only a handful of companies specializing in the niche business of running events and triathlons.

By Eric M. Hanson, Star Tribune

Last update: October 2, 2007 - 9:39 AM

Randy Fulton's accountant took a look at his books and told him: Here's where you're making money; here's where you aren't.

Fulton had owned a shop that rented kayaks, canoes and other recreational equipment in White Bear Lake. He had side businesses instructing people on the craft of canoe-building, as well as repairing bikes, producing T-shirts and organizing running events.

"I was making money on my events and making money on my shirts, and it was all being plowed back into my store and my little boat-building school and my bike-repair business," Fulton said. "So we quit doing all the stuff that cost us money and now I put on races and silk-screen shirts. I came to the conclusion that at some point in my life, I had to make some money."

The result is Vacation Sports, circa 2007, one of a handful of companies that specialize in coordinating running events and triathlons.

Fulton's events, which are focused in Ramsey and Washington counties, include the St. Paul Triathlon, the Manitou Days 5K in White Bear Lake, New Brighton's New Bri Tri, and the Run and Walk for the Apples at Pine Tree Apple Orchard in Dellwood, which draws 700 to 800 runners every year.

Q What makes for a good course?

A I always look for location. The Manitou Days 5K is on the parade route ... so people are lined up on the course cheering you on. It feels like people are there to cheer you on, even though they are primarily there for the parade. As a runner, you have a feeling like you're in something a little bigger.

Q And as far as other races go?

A The Square Lake Triathlon is out in beautiful Washington County. The bike is in the St. Croix Valley and the run is around Square Lake. And the swim is in Square Lake, which is one of the cleanest lakes in the Twin Cities. It's a beautiful venue. People love the course.

Q So it's location, location, location.

A The course plays a big part of it. And if there is a festival around it, that makes a big part of it.

Q Triathlons have really taken off, haven't they?

A The triathlon business is a real strong business right now. When you look at the number of people who are doing triathlons, it's just -- I'm in a business that has more people than we have spaces for right now. And we keep on thinking of how we can get new people into it. So now it's like any business: It's a matter of making sure we don't blow it.

Q Why have triathlons become so popular?

A I think there are a lot of runners out there who are tired of just running. Runners have been going now for 20 or 30 years, and we're all getting old and have sore joints and are looking for something different.

Q A T-shirt is typically included in most of these events. Your company is different in that you produce your own shirts.

A The whole concept was to save money on my races by doing my own shirts. And I have just found a world of people who need shirts -- everybody, whether it's a school or other race directors. Every weekend there are races taking place that I am connected to in one way or another, and they all need shirts. The silk-screening business has just taken on a whole life of its own. It's a big part of my business now, and not just for races.

Q What kind of work goes into coordinating one of your events?

A Some of them are very easy, some of them are very tough. The permit process is getting more and more difficult for some of the triathlons.

Q Because there are more and more of them?

A There are more going on, there are more liability issues, cities have developed permit processes as people have come to them asking to do more and more races. You have to jump through more hoops, have more paperwork, provide more information to them than we used to have to do.

Q What kind of liabilities are there?

A Somebody getting hit by a car, somebody drowning, somebody suing the city, it could be anything. We live in a litigious society and cities have been caught up in that.

Q Is this a personal passion of yours?

A I used to do a lot of races. I think I've done about 15 marathons, back in my younger days. But I haven't run in anything for a long time now.

Q Do you still run?

A A little bit. It's more of a run/walk now. I go out in the morning and get some exercise, but I'm not the competitive person I used to be.

Eric M. Hanson • 612-673-7517

Eric M. Hanson • ehanson@startribune.com

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