This weekend, Gusties across campus are called to participate in a fundraising triathlon to benefit juvenile diabetes. All of the proceeds will be used to support the IronKiDz program, in association with Triabetes and Insulindepence. This triathlon is a typical sprint triathlon consisting of a 500 yard swim, a twelve mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run. The Fitness Club and the Epsilon Pi Alpha fraternity are sponsoring the event.
Senior triathlon chair, member of Epsilon Pi Alpha and Communication Studies and Management Major Adam Eckhardt said that “[a]ll of the proceeds from the triathlon are going toward Insulindependence, which is a worldwide project aimed at changing diabetic lives through adventure, travel, educational outreach and web-based community support. Insulindependence is a nonprofit public benefit corporation based in San Diego, California.”
The Epsilon Pi Alpha fraternity at Gustavus has a history of supporting diabetes-related causes and raised $6,500 to support Insulindependence programs in 2007. The fraternity hopes to surpass that amount during this year’s Diabetes Awareness Project, which has featured several events since mid-April and will conclude with the triathlon on May 11.
“Signing up for the triathlon itself is a fundraiser,” said Sophomore Spanish Major and triathlon participant Courtney Woodward. The entrance fee for each person and team is the fundraiser itself, but donations are also accepted and highly appreciated. Registration fees for Gustavus students are $10 per individual or $21 for a relay team. “People can still register throughout this week and will have to pay extra for the date-of-the-event registration at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, with a 10:00 a.m. start,” Eckhardt said.
Participants in the event are encouraged to do some training before the event or split up into teams of two or three people. “I believe anyone can do it,” said Woodward. “It just takes some training to do all three in a row, but anyone who wants to do it can do it.”
“We would love a great turnout for this event,” Eckhardt said, “and if anyone has questions they should e-mail me [at] aeckhard@gac.edu and let me know. They can send their registration forms through the P.O.s to Eckhardt or they can register online at http://www.insulindependence.org/gusti_tri.asp.”
Photo Illustration by: Sarah Cartwright