News

Crazylegs: Good Business for Healthy Partnerships

MADISON, Wis. – Dan Bertler was never a runner.  That is until Crazylegs.  Now Dan not only runs his Madison-based commercial construction firm but marathons and triathlons all over the Midwest.  Why the change?  He attributes his new found passion to the camaraderie and opportunity for community giving through the Crazylegs Classic.

It all started with family.  The Bertler brothers, Dan, David and Mark, ran their first race which inspired Dan to share his experience with his extended family of neighbors, Supreme Structures clients, subcontractors and employees.  Team Supreme, 94 strong this year, is now recognized as one of the largest teams entered annually in the Crazylegs event.

“It’s contagious,” states Bertler, “and Jim Purdin is a great example of that.”  Jim and his wife Kate agreed to join Team Supreme with intentions of only meeting up with friends to complete the walk.  Once they got to the race they thought “heck, we can do this in under an hour” and they ran the first race in their blue jeans in just under 60 minutes.

Jim credits Team Supreme with the start of his post-retirement running career, which he now shares with his two adult children.  Since his first Team Supreme event, Jim has completed 10Ks and half marathons with friends and family across the country.  Jim says, “Running has become our family sport.”  With running now at the core of his fitness program, Jim has lost 20 pounds and reports that he is in the best shape he has been in since he was 30 years old.

The healthy partnerships continue to grow and in addition to supporting UW Athletics, each year Team Supreme dedicates a portion of the funds raised from t-shirt sponsors like Service Specialists, Specialized Electric and the Great Dane Pub to benefit a second charity.  This year $2,000 will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

“We work hard and play hard to build a stronger community,” Bertler stated.  This Saturday the red Team Supreme T-shirts will flood Camp Randall and continue the tradition that builds healthy business and community partnerships.