By Justin Anderson
On Saturday, April 26, the Utah State University chapter of
Sigma Phi Epsilon will host the annual Balanced Man Triathlon to highlight the “sound body” portion of the
fraternity’s balanced man developmental program.
The race, which has been held for five consecutive years,
has always donated proceeds to a charity or other philanthropic cause. For the
past two years the proceeds have gone toward the Best Buddies program.
Best Buddies was founded to establish a movement that
creates opportunities for people with developmental and intellectual
disabilities to develop friendships, learn leadership skills and gain access to
jobs.
“Two years ago Best Buddies’ sponsor dropped them, and they
lost all their funding,” said Ryan Johnson, the logistical coordinator of the
race.
After Best Buddies lost their sponsor, the fraternity
decided to sponsor the group and now provides all of the funding the group
requires to function.
“This triathlon is where we raise all of that money,”
Johnson said. “If we don’t receive it, these individuals are not going to be
able to run this organization.”
The race will consist of a 500-yard swim, followed by a
9-mile bike ride and lastly a 5K run. Beginning at 8 a.m. in the foyer of the
Health, Physical Education and Recreation building on the university's campus, participants will assemble
to register and check in before beginning the swim.
“A lot of people get intimidated and tell us they can’t swim
or they can’t run” said Spencer Bailey, the director of the race. “The best
part is that you can do teams, team up with a friend and have them cover one of
the legs. All the same it is really doable and they may surprise themselves at
what they are capable of.”
Bailey, who is serving as the race director for the second
time, said that the turnout is fairly diverse.
“We get everything from beginners to seasoned triathletes,”
he said. “It’s a riot.”
“Every year we have a lot of people who come out and it’s
their first triathlon,” said Jake Butterfield, who is in charge of the website
for the race. “It’s a great atmosphere. There are a lot of people cheering you
on. We’re really prepared, and there are people all over the place with water
encouraging you and pushing you on. I really think it’s a fantastic event.”
Each participant will receive a t-shirt and a swim cap along
with other prizes for winners and each participant.
Registration is open online and costs $30 for students, $40
for non-students, $50 for a two-person team and $80 for a team of three.
I am excited to be biking this year in the BMT!
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