Two Kids Looking to Give Back: The Knodler Brothers Lake George Challenge

Knodler Brothers’ Lake George Challenge: An Interview with Marcus Knodler

By Monica Sirignano

Marcus and Brian Knodler are looking to make a difference. This Memorial Day Weekend, the two brothers (Marcus, a 15-year-old freshman at Guilderland High School, and Brian, a 13-year-old middle schooler at Farnsworth Middle School) will be participating in the Lake George Challenge–a triathlon to raise funds for sports programs in their school. When budget cuts threatened to take away school sports in Guilderland, the two decided to do something about it, organizing the triathlon–a way that together they could give back to the programs that have given so much to them over the years.

The Knodler Brothers Lake George Challenge will take place on Saturday & Sunday (May 28 & 29, 2011), consisting of a 75-mile bike ride from Guilderland to Bolton Landing, followed by a hike up Black Mountain, and then kayaking to Hulette’s Point (Brian) and Ticonderoga (Marcus). To help them in their quest, Marcus and Brian are asking people to pledge donations–with a pledge by mile or a single donation. All proceeds from the Knodler Brothers’ Lake George Challenge will go to Friends of Guilderland Athletics. If you’d like to make a pledge, you can do so by contacting Marcus and Brian at 413-265-3614, or emailing jknodler@aol.com.

We recently had a chance to speak with Marcus to find out some more about the triathlon, the brothers’ ideas behind it, and the organization that went into putting it all together.

The Free George: When did you come up with the idea for the triathlon?

Marcus Knodler: We came up with the idea of the triathlon back in October of 2010. We then sat on the idea for awhile and then really began to make it happen in the winter and the early months of 2011.

TFG: Was it difficult getting it approved? I imagine it took quite a few steps, what sort of process did you have to go through?

MK: I think the most difficult process was getting permission to advertise for the triathlon in school. I had to get my coaches to formally accept, know, and sponsor me to do this triathlon. Only then could I hang up flyers in school for everyone to see.

TFG: Can you talk a little bit about physically what you’ll be doing in the triathlon?

MK: This triathlon will be absolutely one of the most physically challenging things my brother or myself have done. First, of course, is the bike ride—80 miles is a long way to bike for someone who isn’t a seasoned cyclist. However our athletic abilities should help us through. When I tell people I’ll be kayaking, they think that part will be easy. The truth is when you kayak 20 miles it’s far from easy. However we’re greatly thankful to the Lake George Kayak Co., for supplying us with the fast kayaks; that should help make the paddle a bit easier. The hike up Black Mountain shouldn’t be a problem for us because we’ve hiked it several times throughout our years at Lake George.

TFG: It’s really a very noble thing what you’re doing. Have you had a lot of support from the community and your friends?

MK: We’ve had tons and tons of support from everyone we talk to. My teachers as well as my brothers are extremely proud of what we are doing. Every time I tell someone new about the triathlon they seem speechless and I’ve even been told my brother and I are just “crazy.” My friends played an important role in spreading this event around; they helped tell more and more people which helped me out.

TFG: Is it just you two who are doing the triathlon and raising money, or do you have other students participating as well?

MK: This year it’s just my brother Brian and I. However in the future I would like for other students to participate in certain parts of the triathlon. I think this will help the awareness grow.

TFG: How many sponsors do you have so far?

MK: About 50.

TFG: This is really a fundraiser for sports in Guilderland, so how have you seen the budget cuts affecting sports in your school up until now?

MK: The budget cuts have been a relentless issue for Guilderland. What’s been happening is they have been questioning whether or not to have freshman sports. Last year freshman football almost got cut, and this year freshmen lacrosse got cut. If it weren’t for fundraising, my friends wouldn’t have been able to play football last year and that would of made most of them quit, or very upset. My brother and I are trying to give back to Guilderland athletics, for how much they have done for my brother and I.

TFG: What type of sports do you play yourself in school?

MK: My brother and I both play football, we wrestle, and we both play lacrosse. My brother’s strong sport and the one he likes the best is wrestling; as a 7th grader he holds his own against high school kids, something not many people can do. I love all 3 of my sports but I would say my strong sport would be lacrosse. I feel myself striving more and more to be better at lacrosse than any other sport.

TFG: What would it mean to you and the other kids to be without these activities in your school? When you lived in Chicopee, you didn’t have sports in your school, correct? [Marcus and Brian moved to Guilderland from Chicopee, MA, where their school had very few sports programs, hence partially why they so understand the benefits of the programs here.]

MK: Yes, in Chicopee there were not nearly as many sports as there are here in Guilderland at the high school. In Chicopee they had no sports for the middle school. Without these activities in our school, I as well as everyone else would be lost. Everyone in Guilderland is so into sports that if suddenly they were taken all away from us, it would be devastating. Sports keep us on a schedule, they teach us responsibility, they improve our work in the classroom, and they really make each and everyone of us feel like a part of huge family. Everyone in Guilderland grew up playing multiple sports, and we want to continue that no matter what.

TFG: Where can we watch the triathlon from?

MK: My brother and I will be leaving from Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland on Saturday on our bikes, people can stop by and watch us take off! They could also go up to Bolton Landing and watch us finish at the Lake George Kayak Company Saturday evening. Sunday they can watch us start paddling from the boathouse of the Lake George Kayak Company, and then we will be mostly be isolated the rest of the day, until we finish Sunday night in Ticonderoga.

TFG: Is there anything else you want to say to your audience?

MK: My brother and I would like to thank everyone involved with the planning, advertising, sponsorship, and organization of this triathlon. A special thanks to our mom Julie who put in a huge amount of effort to make this triathlon work, it wouldn’t have happened without her. We also want to thank our coaches for all they have helped us with in sports and how they have changed us in the best of ways.

And, we would like to say thanks to our corporate sponsors: Landmark Archaeology and Cabot Creamery Cooperative, and especially to all of the people at the Lake George Kayak Company for all they have done to help us out.

To find out how you can help out and support the brothers in their Lake George Challenge this weekend, or to pledge a donation, call 413-265-3614 or email jknodler@aol.com.

–Monica Sirignano is Co-Publisher of The Free George.

The Free George is the online magazine and visitors’ guide of Upstate NY, covering things from Albany to Lake Placid, including Saratoga, the Lake George region and the Adirondacks. Check out our new City Blogs section for our extended coverage areas as well. 

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