FS Series co-founders (from left to right) Brent Dorenkamp, Marc Primanti, and Jason Biggs.
Family-Friendly Fun the Focus for FS Series
For FS Series co-founder Jason Biggs, Cary, NC, the sport of triathlon came about much like it did for other runners, he got tired of just running and bought a bike. It wasn’t long after that he got into triathlons and not too much later that he, Marc Primanti and Brent Dorenkamp co-founded the Finish Strong event production company, now called FS Series, which produced its first event in 2007. The three founders faced a daunting challenge in carving out a niche for themselves in a market dominated by Setupevents. But, the trio proved that there was more than enough interest in the growing sport of triathlon as they grew their new series to 20 triathlons, 4 duathlons, 3 marathons, 4 open water swims and over 40 running events in 2010.
Both Biggs and Primanti were former football players at NC State before earning their degrees while Dorenkamp served in the Army during the first Gulf War before earning his degree at East Carolina. Their working-class background gave the FS Series founders the right attitude toward producing events. It’s not unusual for the team and its staff to handle everything from course design and timing to retrieving lost timing chips and getting them back to the right participant to handing out drinks and post-race snacks to finishers.
In addition to producing the area’s unique InsideOut Sports Duathlon Series and the TrySports Open Water Swim Series, FS Series produces running events of all distances and triathlons from the super sprint to half iron distances. Some events, like the TrySports Battle at Buckhorn in Sims, NC, feature a unique sprint format of a 1,000-meter open water swim, 17-mile rolling hills bike course, and a nearly flat 2-loop PR quality 5K.
The team has gained a reputation for quality races, great giveaways, and cool awards, too. Athletes at FS Series’ recent InsideOut Sports Olympic Triathlon at Beaverdam raved about the awards and giveaways managed by the team. One of the more unique awards given out in North Carolina triathlons is for FS Series’ TrySports Battle at Buckhorn event where the overall winner is awarded a belt buckle.
“We are three guys who have a passion for triathlon and racing,” says Dorenkamp. “Other companies focus on the event itself, and though that is important our main focus is the experience the athlete and their family have while attending our races. Families love that we have entertainment for kids and adults while the race is underway and the personal touch we add with grilling foods and providing different choices.”
“We understand racing and what athletes experience on race day and with that in mind, know how important it is to be greeted with a smile, be approachable and answer questions,” says Dorenkamp. “We enjoy the relationships we build and being a part of the success our friends have with reaching their goals.”
For more information about FS Series events and races like the TrySports Battle at Buckhorn (May 21, 2011) make sure to visit and register at HYPERLINK “http://www.fsseries.com” www.fsseries.com.
