This Saturday starting at 9:00 a.m. the Epsilon Pi Alpha Fraternity (Eppies) will be sponsoring the Take the Hill Triathlon. The Eppie fraternity is responsible for organizing the Triathlon, the Silent Auction and the events of Diabetes Week that precede the Triathlon weekend. Volunteers from the Men and Women’s swim teams, as well as other student volunteers, will be assisting the Eppies in hosting the event.

It began four years ago with just under 60 athletes.  Today, participation has soared to over 170 athletes from around the Midwest. Over 200 people have registered from outside the Gustavus community, and about 40 students from Gustavus participate. “Gustavus is recognized on three national triathlon calendars and has sponsors from all corners of the state. Our goal for next year is to have 200 athletes and raise $10,000 from the triathlon,” Senior Political Science Major and Eppie Fraternity Member Wes Jones said.

All proceeds from the triathlon go directly toward the non-profit Insulindepence, which was founded by 2002 Gustavus Graduate Peter Nerothin. Nerothin was president of the Eppies while he was at Gustavus and is Type 1 diabetic. Nerothin’s organization focuses on inspiring people with diabetes to set personal fitness goals, educate them on adaptive management strategies through hands-on experience and equip them to explore their individual capacities.

Over the last decade Eppies have had, and continue to have, diabetic members. They have made it a mission to support these members and the diabetic community as a whole. “We participate in this triathlon, both as volunteers and as athletes, because it is for a worthy cause that our fraternity values. And as members of this fraternity, we are dedicated to its values and to each other. So, we are involved to help be part of something bigger than ourselves,” Senior Religion Major and Eppie Fraternity member John Rice said.

The Take the Hill Triathlon is a fun race for triathletes of all levels. This sprint course sees professional athletes from the Twin Cities area and novice students who have never raced in their lives. “I’m excited to do my first triathlon. It’s an added bonus that the proceeds benefit a cause like diabetes. I try to get a good bike ride in on the weekends and swim about once a week. I run quite often, so it was nice to switch things up a bit. I signed up for the triathlon because I really wanted to do one, and I have a couple of friends who are in Epsilon Pi Alpha, who told me about the philanthropy side of things,” Senior History Major Joey Nowariak said.

With so many supporters, take the Hill Triathlon fosters the community sense that Gustavus advocates, as well as a commitment to service,“The atmosphere is fun and the last hill is a challenge, but all come to devote time to supporting those with diabetes.  Our ultimate goal is to show that diabetics young and old can live active and healthy lifestyles,” Jones said.