When Athletes in Action director Mark Heflin approached Bill Hauschild with the idea of a 5K, Hauschild shook off his proposition for something a little bit bigger.
Instead, Hauschild, a retired ROTC military science professor, brought forward the plan for Athens’ first-ever triathlon. The event is planned for tomorrow, and is expected to bring 243 competitors from eight different states.
“I told Mark, ‘There’s a million 5K runs. Let’s look at putting on a triathlon and do something a little different,’” Hauschild said. “And after that, it just started snowballing from there.”
The triathlon begins at 7:30 a.m. and is split into three parts: a 500-meter serpentine swim in the Ohio University Aquatic Center, a 25K bike ride that will end by Peden Stadium and then a 5K run on the Hockhocking/Adena Bikeway. The athletes will cross the finish line in front of Peden Stadium.
The event was modeled after the Miami University Student Foundation Triathlon that the organization has put on for the past six years. In the first year, the event had 250 participants and has since grown to 650 competitors, Hauschild said.
Coach Neil Macmillan and the field hockey team are taking advantage of the opportunity to partake in the race. Several members on the team work with Athletes in Action and are excited for the event.
Macmillan has participated in several races before but never a full triathlon. He said he has tried his best to train himself and his players for what lies ahead.
“There’s so much opportunity in this country to do these races, and it’s a great test of your personal fitness,” Macmillan said. “You’re competing against yourself and not worrying about anyone else. You’re just trying to get through it.”
Although the field hockey team is the only Ohio Athletics program that will participate, several other teams will be volunteering and helping with the event. The swimming and diving, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s golf, and football teams are all contributing to make the event a success.
Participants have come from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and West Virginia.
Competitors can choose to complete the whole race themselves or divide into groups of three. Each individual would then complete one leg of the three-part race.
Athletes in Action and other OU programs will receive all net proceeds and benefits from the triathlon.
The rarity of such a race in southeast Ohio motivated the university to provide the facilities and campus for the race, Hauschild said. He added that he hopes for the triathlon is for it to become an annual event with even more students and faculty involved.
“Our community and our university supports our athletes really well,” Hauschild said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to give back for all they have done for us.”
