Running with Demons is an inspirational documentary about Todd Crandell; a man who for thirteen years of his life battled through severe alcohol and drug addictions, precipitated by the loss of his mother to suicide.

Crandell is a former drug addict and alcoholic-turned-Ironman™ and Ultraman™ triathlete, award-winning author of Racing for Recovery: From Addict to Ironman and Founder and President of the federally approved 501 c 3 non-profit organization Racing for Recovery™.

In this film, while competing in his second Ultraman™ event, Todd revealed another lifechanging struggle; whether to quit Racing for Recovery™ and save his relationship with his family, or continue the mission of saving lives through his foundation and the consequences of making either decision.

The film shares a stark glimpse into the life of an ex-addict who’s battling yet another addiction, saving people’s lives. Running with Demons shows the struggles endured by Crandell and his family, while he also continues battling the demons from his past that continue to haunt him.

Screening Details:
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011
Time: 5:00 PM EST
Location: County Theater; 20 East State Street; Doylestown, PA 18901
Ticket Contact: County Theater – 215.345.6789 

E-mail: comments@countytheater.org - Web: countytheater.org

About Running with Demons

Running with Demons is a RWD Film, LLC which was written and directed J. Declan Flynn and Tony Armer and stars Todd Crandell, Scott Horns, and Darwin Holt. For more details on the film, visit www.runningwithdemons.com

About Racing for Recovery™

Racing for Recovery™ is a federally approved 501 c 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to prevent all forms of substance abuse by promoting a lifestyle of fitness and health for all those affected by addiction. For more information about what Racing for Recovery is doing to help communities nationwide, visit www.racingforrecovery.com.

Todd’s own 13-year struggle with drugs and alcohol nearly destroyed his life, devastating relationships with family and friends and shattering the promise of a professional hockey career. He quit using drugs and alcohol on April 15, 1993, and has been sober ever since.

In the process of rebuilding his life, Todd realized traditional recovery programs weren’t enough. He needed something more. He chose the most grueling sport imaginable, the Ironman Triathlon – 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run.

Todd ran his first triathlon in 1999 and has never stopped. He has completed eighteen full-length Ironmans all over the world and in 2008 he was the only person in the world to complete the Ultraman Hawaii which is a 3 days test of endurance that includes 6.2 miles of swimming & 90 miles of biking (day 1) 171.2 mile of biking (day 2) and 52.4 mile of running (day 3) and 6 days later complete Ironman Western Australia.

In 2009 Todd completed Ultraman Canada and became 1 of 25 individuals in the world who have completed both Ultraman Triathlons. His experience running these events and inspiring others on their road to sobriety led him to form Racing for Recovery® in 2001.

Simply click this link to catch the show!

Also there are some great show coming up including Todd Crandell on January 17th and Anne Mahlum in February. Visit their websites to learn more and be sure to listen in.

I cannot do his story any justice. But I encourage you to please take a few minutes and watch THIS.

Over the years, I have done many such charity rides both socially and as hard core training efforts. This year I rode with a couple of good friends, John and Kevin, as well as my nephew Sean and could not have asked for better weather or a better day. It was one of those rides that just hummed for all 66 miles. Everything felt right.

Riding with good friends is great because you can play off of each other’s energy and work together for a more efficient result. As with many of the rides of this nature, they would not work without a band of very dedicated volunteers so thank you to all who worked long and hard to make this event a success. Kudos all the law enforcement and community support throughout the day as well.

To make the day even better, my wife and one of our daughters made their way to the end point in time to see us all finish, to share in the accomplishment, and to grab some lunch with all of us. Sharing things like this with the people who are most meaningful in your life just makes the accomplishment that much sweeter. We had a good day. No, we had a great day. And the best part is that our efforts will pay big dividends to many others in their fight against so many cancers.

Thanks for everyone’s continued support.

His diet consisted of a steady stream of any substance that he could get his hands on. His condition became so bad that if he vomited up anything that wasn’t completed dissolved; he’d sift through his own vomit and re-ingest it.

The Todd Crandell story is an amazing one. Unfortunately, it starts out not that uncommon. Many too many kids have fallen victim to the same temptations that almost ruined Todd’s life. What is uncommon is how he was able to fall to the deepest depths of humanity, only to claw his way back to rise above, realizing a new potential that he never thought possible. Todd made it across to the other side of his journey through hell.

Todd compromised his education, his relationships, a promising career in hockey, and his existence though his reckless lifestyle and severe substance abuse. He cared about nothing except getting wasted. He often woke up in amazement and disappointment that he survived the previous night’s binge only to start it all over again. Drug induced, intoxicated, angry, and broke. Todd wanted to self-destruct.

After nearly destroying himself and everything that was once important to him, Todd had a moment of clarity on April 15th, 1993. On that date, Todd finished his last beer, slammed the empty on the table, and proclaimed, “That’s it. I’m done, I don’t need this anymore”. Although the road back was a difficult one, it’s a path that he has never strayed from.

Any drunk will tell you that their date of sobriety is a date that they will never forget and will celebrate annually – forever. Todd and his wife have another reason to celebrate April 15th. A few years later, on April 15th, the Crandell’s were also blessed with the birth of their daughter.

Todd decided to use his God given athletic ability in a way that could make a difference. He turned his passions, and yes, addictions to the world of multisport racing. Todd discovered the Ironman triathlon and from there a vision was born: a vision to selflessly help others avoid the choices that he made growing up.

Todd founded Racing For Recovery; a non-profit agency dedicated to spreading his story in hopes of preventing substance abuse in adolescents. Todd organizes visits with schools around the country to talk about his life and hopes that by doing so; he can prevent other kids from making the same mistakes he made. Racing For Recovery also puts on 5K races to raise awareness, which Crandell hopes to expand across the nation and beyond.

Todd is lucky. Today, he is able to enjoy a happy and healthy home with his wife and children. Since becoming clean, he has regained control of his life, which he now treasures. He received his college degree, holds down a good job, and is thankful for the ability to spread his word and help others. Todd not only turned his life around, but he is on a mission to try and enlighten countless kids out there in the world. Todd is using his Ironman triathlon racing and his story to make a difference.

Visit www.racingforrecovery.com to learn more about Todd, and his non-profit organization. Todd’s story is also now available on DVD through the website. He is available for speaking engagements and can be reached directly at Racing4Recovery@aol.com

We were all eager to flip the calendar over to 2006 and start fresh. We needed a fresh start and we thought we were owed a break. At the same time, I was beginning to have some difficulty swallowing so I scheduled a few doctors’ appointments to try to determine the reason why I had been having throat issues. And that is where the problem began. What I thought was going to be a simple tonsillectomy, turned out to be a Leukemia diagnosis. Upon hearing the news, I did what most people do in that situation, I scratched my head, got depressed, and tried to figure out “Why me”?

But soon enough, the solution became clear to me. I knew what I needed to do. I needed to address the problem. Discuss my options. And fix the problem. I needed to do so with minimal impact to my family and loved ones. We could not afford another family crisis. I think I willed myself back to health because I just refused to have it any other way. I owed it to myself and to my loved ones. Fortunately, I was blessed with an amazing support crew who helped catapult me back to health.