The mere mention of a triathlon may conjure up images of fanatical athletes pushing their bodies to the limit, but for some OSU students, this sounds like fun.
This week, OSU students are completing their days of preparation for the third annual Fall Triathlon on Saturday.
The race, which Outdoor Adventure hosts, will take place at Camp Redlands and will consist of a 1/2 mile swim, a 5K run and a 21 mile bike ride. Individual participants and teams may compete and prizes will be awarded to winners in all age divisions.
Jill Summar, a leisure studies senior and intern for Outdoor Adventure, said students and community members are welcome to participate.
“The triathlon is a fun event for the community,” Summar said. “It’s about the race, not first place.”
Summar said she expects a good turnout this year, with more than 60 athletes expected to participate. Summar said that although most athletes participating are from OSU, some will travel from Texas.
Tine Teague, a dietetics and exercise sophomore, said she is excited and nervous about the race, which will be her first triathlon. Teague, who completed her first marathon last year, said she is participating in the race because she likes to try new things.
“I have mostly been swimming and biking to prepare for the race,” Teague said. “The distance for the run is not very long, so I have been focusing on the other two events.”
This will also be Rachel Heister’s first triathlon. Heister, an international business sophomore, said she thinks her background in swimming and biking will help her for the race. Heister swam for Bixby High School and was a lifeguard at the Colvin Recreation Center pool.
She has cycled across Oklahoma twice on Oklahoma Freewheel, an annual bike tour that crosses the state from Texas to Kansas. She said training with a friend has helped her stay motivated to train.
“When you train with someone else, you have someone you are accountable for and they hold you accountable, too,” Heister said.
Heister said she wants to do a triathlon because it is something she has never done.
“This will be something else I can check off of my list of things I’ve done,” Heister said.
Ryan Grimm, a mechanical engineering technology senior, is a volunteer for the race. This will be his second year to help transport spectators from the starting line to the finish line. Many volunteers help take race numbers, provide water and encourage participants throughout the race. Grimm said that although he does not compete in the race, he likes to help because he enjoys the outdoor atmosphere and supporting athletic events.
“It’s a great chance to get out and support people,” Grimm said. “It’s great to cheer someone on, even if you don’t know them, to help them finish the race.”
The race brings the community together, Summar said. Several local bands will play at the race. The triathlon also has several local area sponsors. Aspen Coffee Co. and Stillwater Summit Co. have provided prizes for the winners and promoted the event, Summar said.
Registration is open until the day of the race. Those interested in participating or volunteering should e-mail Summar at jillian.b.summar@okstate.edu or stop by the Outdoor Adventure office in the Colvin Recreation Center.
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