New RIT Student Club Hosts Its First Triathlon, Feb. 12

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Students, faculty and staff and Rochester Institute of Technology have a new incentive to keep their New Year's resolutions to get fit and healthy.

RIT's newest club—the Triathlon Club—is hosting its first event from 1 to 5 pm on Feb. 12 in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center. Waves of eight athletes will start every 20 minutes beginning at 1 p.m.

The triathlon consists of 15 minutes swimming in the Judson competition pool, 15 minutes on a stationary bike in the Weidman fitness center and a 15-minute run around the Gordon Field House track. Points will be awarded, and the winners determined, based on the distance covered in each event.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Cerebral Palsy Rochester. The triathlon is sponsored by Student Government, RIT and local businesses.

Officially founded on Jan. 6, the club's goal is to bring together students interested in the sports—or in trying them out—of triathlon, duathlon and other multi-sport events.

“An indoor triathlon gives people a chance to experience multi-sport in a fun and do-able event,” says Greg Bulencenzia, club president and founder. “Training to do 15 minutes of three events is an accessible goal for most that are curious about triathlon.”

And for some, it'll be a breeze. Steven Aldersley, club advisor and NTID faculty, made it through a 2.4-mile open water swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run in the Lake Placid Ironman in 2004.