Sylvania Advantage
February 20, 2006

‘From Addict to Ironman’ traces a recaptured life
Todd Crandell and his recently published book

Sylvania resident Todd Crandell, a former drug and alcohol addict, has announced the release of his first book, Racing For Recovery: From Addict to Ironman, written with Newsday reporter John Hanc, five-time author of fitness and running books. The book is being published by Breakaway Books, and will be released nationally April 17 in conjunction with Crandell's participation in the Boston Marathon. Prior to the release, early copies of the book are available through Crandell's Web site, racingforrecovery.com.

Crandell said he met his co-author, John Hanc, through an acquaintance in New York who learned about Racing for Recovery through the Web site. "John interviewed me for Newsday, which led to our doing a book together," Crandell noted.

“While I'm thrilled to have my story in print, I'm just pleased that I now have one more tool to get my story out. By sharing, I am hoping to prevent substance abuse and show the person who is using drugs or alcohol that recovery is possible,” Crandell reflected.

Two years in the making, Crandell said it took 39 rejection slips before a publisher was found for the book. Now, a feature film is also a possibility.

The book describes scenes from Crandell's 13-year self-destructive drug and alcohol addiction and his harrowing encounters with rock bottom until he decided to quit cold turkey. Crandell discovered triathlons and found that athletic effort helped him overcome his addictions and turn his life around. The book also describes the founding of Racing for Recovery through a series of 5K races in Sylvania, New York, California and Alabama along with several support groups and online meetings. R4R is a federally approved 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing individuals from becoming addicted to alcohol or drugs, and offering a positive alternative to those currently battling addictions. Through Racing for Recovery, Crandell hopes to encourage individuals, particularly adolescents, to pursue a healthy lifestyle, instead of one involving alcohol and drugs. “Our mission at Racing for Recovery is to help prevent all forms of substance abuse and to provide positive alternatives for those currently battling addictions by encouraging a lifestyle of fitness and health through 5K Run/Walk events across the nation,” Crandell relates.

A Racing for Recovery board member, Dr. Marilyn Agee said: “I can’t wait to read Todd’s book. I know it will be a true account of his trials, tribulations and triumphs. I believe that his purpose in writing this is not to obtain personal attention but to help others obtain and maintain sobriety.”

Crandell will be featured at a book signing at Border's Booksellers at Westfield Shopping Towne, Franklin Park, April 22 from 2-4 p.m. He will be at Fireside Books on Airport Highway, April 23 at 1:30 p.m. Other book signings are planned for New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Phoenix, Edmondton, Canada and Ann Arbor this spring. He will also be featured on ESPN's “Cold Pizza” April 18 and in Runner’s World in April. He will also make a presentation at 6 p.m. on April 30 at Olivet Lutheran Church.

Crandell spreads R4R’s message through promotional activities, speaking engagements and 5K Run/Walk events. All funds from sponsorship, speaking, events and donations go directly to furthering the R4R mission. In addition to the new book, a full length documentary about Crandell and R4R has also been produced.

He has been featured on the nationally syndicated Mitch Albom Radio Show, Sylvania Talk Show, Rudy Rutiger's International Talk Show, FOX, ABC, CBS, and NBC News, Runner's World and triathlete magazines, and has been a guest of radio, newspaper and magazine interviews across country and throughout the world.